Answer Me 1988: Episode 18
by girlfriday
Our gang is all grown up in some ways… and still exactly the same in other ways. But now that they’re a little bit older and maybe just a tiny bit wiser about life, they know what it means to have regrets and start to do things differently this time around. To what effect remains to be seen, but hey, I consider it momentous enough that they’re acting on their feelings now instead of denying and repressing and making puppy eyes. We’re all out of time for that now—there’s only one week left to go!
SONG OF THE DAY
Lee Seung-hwan – “기다린 날도 지워질 날도” (Days I Waited and Days That’ll Be Erased) [ Download ]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
EPISODE 18: “Goodbye first love”
We’re all the way in October 1994 now, which means the gang is 23 this year. One by one they rush out to go over to Taek’s room for his birthday party, and both Jung-hwan’s parents and Deok-sun’s parents linger by the doorway, looking wistfully at their second child who never comes home.
Jung-hwan’s parents sigh that they miss the high school years because they got to see their son, while Deok-sun’s dad gets all huffy about her finally coming home and immediately running off to hang out with her friends. He perks up right away when Mom informs him that Bora is coming home though, and yells after Deok-sun that she can just stay out.
Sun-woo comes out of his room (in Taek’s house, squee) and takes issue with Jin-ju not greeting him. He reminds her that there was a time when she was alllll about Oppa, but Jin-ju pouts that Sun-woo is hardly home and always sleepy. Dad tells Jin-ju to be the bigger person and apologize first, and she considers it.
Mom sets the table for Taek’s birthday party and asks Sun-woo to check on him, to make sure he’s not down the street struggling to park his new car. That’s exactly what Taek is doing, in fact, and the hilarious part is that there are no other cars around him. He just has to park it against an empty wall, but can’t figure out why the car won’t go there.
Finally Sun-woo comes to the rescue and sends Taek home because the family is waiting, so Taek complies. Everyone rushes to the door when he comes in, and Jin-ju complains that Oppa came home so late that the food is getting cold. He takes out a lollipop from his pocket and gives it to her, and she’s happy again. Okay, I am actually jealous of a little girl right now. She gets to have Sun-woo AND Taek as oppas?
Taek opens the door to his room to find a lavish home-cooked meal set out for his birthday party, which is pretty damn moving, when compared to the pizza boxes and bottles of Coke he used to have.
Sun-woo heads home after parking the car, which is of course the exact time that Bora turns the corner and arrives on their street. They both pause and look at each other, but before Bora can say anything, Sun-woo gives her a silent courtesy bow and heads inside. Aw, he’s still heartbroken.
The kids sing happy birthday to Taek and give him a pager as a birthday gift, and he says he doesn’t need one or even know how to use it. They complain that he’s the only person without one, and Deok-sun says THEY need him to use it.
Taek asks how Jung-bong is doing and if he’s studying for the bar exam, and Jung-hwan tells him that Hyung isn’t studying at all. Honestly, I thought it was a miracle he even got into college. Dong-ryong says that Bora is the anomaly for locking herself up in a gosiwon and not even visiting her family just to pass the exam, and Taek gives a little glance over at Sun-woo, who’s got his head down.
Mom rattles off a million things to Bora all at once because it’s been so long since she’s been home, and Bora assures her that she’s living well. Dad complains about her living with her friend and Deok-sun always staying over at a friend’s house between flights, and No-eul always off to do another concert (he’s a college student, so he must be in theater/performing arts like he wanted).
They get a call in the middle of dinner because an employee at Dad’s bank took off with some money, and he has to rush off to go catch them. Bora wonders if Dad isn’t too old for the fraud department now, but Mom says he’s still spry and will still earn extra money while he can.
Taek’s birthday party now has beers instead of soda, and the boys grill Deok-sun on her latest boyfriend. She insists that she dumped him, so of course the boys tease her endlessly about being dumped.
Sun-woo and Taek’s parents come over to have drinks with Jung-hwan’s parents, and they ask why the phone line here is always busy when they try to call. It’s because Jung-bong is monopolizing the computer (remember dial-up?), his latest obsession. Some things never change. He’s in a chatroom with a few people, and when he mentions a space travel card, one of the others named Maggie’s Memories (Maggie was Mi-ok’s nickname in high school) names the board game that it came from, and it startles him.
Deok-sun’s mom joins them with today’s newspaper in hand, with a big story about a famous celebrity naming Taek as her ideal type. His parents say that they’d prefer someone ordinary, not famous, but they trust Taek to find someone on his own. He goes on plenty of blind dates all the time, and Dad figures he’ll meet the right person eventually by doing that.
Dad guesses that Taek’s friends are teasing him about that news story right about now. Deok-sun cracks up while reading it, wondering if all these famous people who like Taek know that he can’t tie his shoelaces.
Dong-ryong asks Taek why he can’t manage to have a relationship when he goes on more dates than any of them, and Sun-woo ignores Taek’s protests and tells them the real reason: He goes on blind dates and then gets rejected over and over because he never says anything and the women are frustrated and bored. Lol. Taek pouts that he tries, and they tell him to try harder.
Dong-ryong prods Deok-sun to set them up on a group date, but she doesn’t want to hear complaints from her girlfriends about the guys she brought. Dong-ryong and Sun-woo even get Taek to agree, but Jung-hwan refuses. He’s up in Seoul for a short stint, but eventually he’ll go back to his post and any relationship would end then anyway.
They ask Jung-hwan to play a song as they start drifting off to sleep, and Sun-woo tells Deok-sun to stay over too. But she says she’s going home after this song. Everyone shuts their eyes where they are, but then after a little while, Taek opens his eyes and stares across the room.
Then we see that Jung-hwan has his eyes open too, and they’re both staring at the empty space where Deok-sun was sitting just a moment ago. Deok-sun and Bora share a bed like old times, but both sisters lie awake deep in thought.
In the morning, Deok-sun heads out just a few seconds ahead of Jung-hwan and they miss each other on the street, and then again as Jung-hwan drives by and Deok-sun looks down at her watch. The whole sequence is set to Forrest Gump music, and she goes on a date to watch Forrest Gump with another guy.
The moms ask each other if they’ve seen their kids while they’ve been home, and Jung-hwan’s mom says she’s seen a lot of the back of Jung-hwan’s head. Sun-woo’s mom says she sees a lot of Taek and Sun-woo… when their eyes are closed. In flashback we see Mom and Dad just staring and staring at Taek and Sun-woo while they sleep, wondering if they’ve lost weight since last time or just checking to make sure they’re still breathing. Ha.
Deok-sun’s mom says that Bora does nothing but sleep when she’s home too. They ask if she’s chosen a specialty, and Mom says Bora wants to be a prosecutor, and thankfully her student protesting history won’t stand in the way of that. Jung-hwan’s mom sighs wondering when Jung-bong will ever get to that point, and starts chugging soju straight out of the bottle.
Bora’s friend reminds her about the blind date she promised to go on this weekend. She says it’s with a younger man—a third-year med student at Yonsei who’s a genius. Sun-woo? She says he has a nickname: “Garbage.” Lol, it’s Oppa-ya!
So Garbage Oppa turns out to be Sun-woo’s classmate at Yonsei, and they even share an office at the hospital (and a crossover character in their friend). They help each other out and are friendly, and Garbage asks Sun-woo for his pager number because Sun-woo owes him a favor.
Deok-sun’s dad comes home late and asks to be woken up early because of his big fraud case. He passes out right away, leaving Mom worried about his health. Jung-hwan’s mom stands by the window just waiting for Jung-hwan to come home, and Dad gently tells her that Jung-hwan said he’d be out late.
He’s hanging out at Dong-ryong’s hyung’s restaurant, where Dong-ryong works now. They close up for the night and wait for their friends, and reminisce about the time they saw JYP at that dance competition when they were kids. Dong-ryong asks why Jung-hwan hasn’t dated anyone seriously, and says that going on a few blind dates and dating for a month or two doesn’t count.
Dong-ryong points out that he still hasn’t given anyone his graduation ring (from the military academy, apparently a “fiancée ring” that you give to your girl when you graduate because that’s tradition). Jung-hwan says he doesn’t have a girlfriend to give it to, and Dong-ryong sighs that he’s going to die before ever being able to confess once. Yeah no kidding. Or I’ll die first.
Taek’s colleague at the baduk training center is super grateful to Deok-sun because she introduced him to one of her flight attendant friends, and the friend introduced Deok-sun to her current boyfriend in return.
The boys arrive at the restaurant before Deok-sun, and Taek says he can’t drink because he brought his car. Dong-ryong says that Deok-sun can drive because she quit drinking, which the other guys all say won’t last long.
Deok-sun arrives and they all greet her as Soo-yeon because Dong-ryong remembered that fortuneteller and her predictions, and Deok-sun scowls that she needs to move because there’s nothing they don’t know about her.
They ask if things are going well with the boyfriend, not really believing her, and she insists that she’s really popular elsewhere. Taek: “Where?” Jung-hwan: “Come on, let’s not lie to each other.”
She says she’s going to a concert with the boyfriend this Sunday, and Dong-ryong reminds her that they were all supposed to go see Forrest Gump together. Deok-sun and Taek have both already seen it, which makes the other three grump that they can’t go see a movie with just three guys.
Deok-sun takes that to mean they at least see her as a girl, and offers to cancel her date to go with them. They yell at her for acting all cutesy, and she scowls and asks for a drink. Taek informs her quietly that she can’t because she has to drive, and then continues to drink his beer. Pfft.
They see Dong-ryong home because he’s roaring drunk, and when Deok-sun trips over his front gate, Jung-hwan and Taek both jump in to hold her up on either side. Well that’s not awkward.
Deok-sun comes home and asks Mom why Dad looks so tired these days. She wonders if maybe he should retire, but Mom says he would hate not working, and she’ll make sure to get him some herbal medicine.
Jung-hwan’s mom is still awake until he comes home, and when Taek heads in, Mom is there to make sure he got in safe. She reminds him not to take sleeping pills tonight, and he smiles to find a cup of milk left out for him.
Jung-bong is a bundle of nerves as he decides to ask his chatroom to meet up in person, and he’s floored when Maggie responds: “First floor, not second.” Aw, he’s so happy. I really hope it’s Mi-ok!
Deok-sun’s dad brings up the topic of early retirement with Mom, but she tells him that he can’t retire before their kids are married off. She obviously feels bad for insisting, but doesn’t want their daughters to be at a disadvantage. He takes it back right away and swears he wasn’t considering it seriously.
Deok-sun gets all dressed up for her concert, only to get a message from her date asking to cancel at the last minute. So she changes out of her nice clothes and trudges out in slippers to go buy groceries for Mom, and happens to run into the guys on their way out. She lies that she’s going to the concert anyway, and lets Dong-ryong drive her just to keep up the ruse that she didn’t get dumped.
It must be Blind Date Sunday, because Bora heads out on her blind date and waits for Garbage to page her, and Jung-bong heads out to meet Maggie with his pink shirt and a bouquet of roses.
Taek washes his face in the bathroom, as Deok-sun’s flight attendant friend tells her boyfriend that the guy she set up with Deok-sun turned out to have a girlfriend on the side. Dong-ryong and Jung-hwan grouse when Sun-woo cancels on the movie, and they’re surprised when they notice Deok-sun’s boyfriend at the movie theater with another girl. Dong-ryong figures that Deok-sun got dumped after all, but Jung-hwan looks pissed.
He’s distracted through the whole movie and doesn’t hear a word that Dong-ryong is saying to him, and just as Jenny and Forrest are running through a crowd to get to each other in the movie, Jung-hwan darts up and runs out of the theater. Yeessssss! Ruuuuuun, Jung-hwan, ruuuuuuunn!
He races to his car and peels out of the parking lot, and outside the concert hall, Deok-sun leaves a message with her friend Ja-hyun to come to the concert and bring her some clothes. She’s freezing in her sweats and slippers, but insists on waiting outside.
Jung-hwan speeds the whole way, beside himself every time he’s stopped by a red light and forced to wait. He looks like he might start running people over if he can’t get there faster.
Deok-sun waits and waits even though the concert has started, and even the ticket-takers start to pity her. But then she looks up and sees someone approaching…
Jung-bong waits and waits, looking up and looking despondent every time someone else walks through the door. And then finally, someone makes him stand up…
Bora looks across the table at her date and asks, “Are you Garbage?”
Deok-sun gapes as someone runs over to her out of breath… Omo, it’s Taek!
And aaaaack, Jung-hwan was literally two steps behind. He turns and walks away, as he narrates: “Fate doesn’t come around at any time. To use the word fate, it has to be a dramatic moment brought by coincidence—that makes it fate. That’s why another word for fate is timing. If I hadn’t gotten caught at just one of those lights, if those damned red lights had helped me out just once… I might be standing in front of her right now, like fate. My first love was always held back by damned timing. That damned timing.”
Jung-bong looks at the girl who just walked in, and yay, it’s Mi-ok! She looks adorable. They don’t even need to say a word to each other, and he just rushes her in a giant hug, crying because he’s so happy to have found her again.
Bora asks her blind date again, “Are you Garbage?” But it’s Sun-woo, not Garbage, and he asks what Bora is doing here. She tells him to answer first, so we flash back to Garbage reminding Sun-woo that he owed him a favor. Garbage got told to go on the blind date, but earlier on Sunday, Na-jung fell and twisted her ankle.
Oppa-ya ran over to find her, and left a message for Sun-woo on his way, cashing in on that favor by asking him to go on the blind date.
Jung-hwan’s night only gets worse as he sits in his car listening to the radio. The news reports an unprecedented forfeit from baduk player Choi Taek, who suddenly forfeited today’s match for personal reasons. He skipped a match to go to Deok-sun?
Jung-hwan slams his steering wheel in anger and cries alone in his car. He narrates, “But fate and timing aren’t just coincidences that find you. They’re moments like miracles, that arise out of choices made because of ardent desire. Surrender and decision, without hesitation—that is what makes timing. He was more ardent, and I should’ve had more courage. It wasn’t the red lights, nor the timing that was bad… but the countless times I hesitated.”
Sun-woo and Bora sit in tense silence for a while, and Sun-woo says bitterly that Bora must feel nothing if she was able to go on a blind date with someone from his school in his department. But she says, “I came for the one-percent chance that it could be you.”
When she heard that his nickname was Garbage, she realized it couldn’t be Sun-woo, but then she thought that maybe he’d hear about the date because it was with one of his classmates. Bora: “And though it’s only a one-percent chance, if you still liked me, then couldn’t we start over?” Her eyes well up with tears as she says, “I know this sounds crazy, but I missed you.” Sun-woo doesn’t know how on earth to respond.
Deok-sun insists that she didn’t get stood up, and Taek just nods and says he knows. He lets her tell the white lie about her date getting into an accident on the way, just throws his jacket around her shoulders. She says she’s not cold, so he says he’s too warm to wear it, and follows her into the concert with a smile.
Jung-hwan wipes his tears and continues to narrate, quoting Forrest Gump: “‘Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’ Even if I’ve picked the bitterest chocolate of them all, it can’t be helped. That’s the fate I chose. There’s no regretting it, crying about it, or being heartbroken about it.”
2015. Deok-sun begins another interview at a coffee shop, and when Lee Seung-hwan comes on over the radio, she reminisces about going to many of his concerts. She wonders if they don’t have too much interview footage by now, and says asking her stuff is fine, but her husband normally dislikes doing interviews and she only agreed to do this one because her sister asked.
Husband arrives and stands around awkwardly while Deok-sun runs to get him a coffee, and she tells him to go home, promising that she won’t bug him while he works today. He lies that he likes interviews, and she laughs and tells him to go home. She reminds him to take out the trash, and he says he already did on his way to the comic book store. She mutters at him to stop with the comic books for his image’s sake, and he shuffles off.
Back in 1994, Sun-woo peels open his eyes in the morning to find Mom and Jin-ju staring creepily down at him. He tells them to stop being scary, but Mom pouts that everyone’s asleep. Jin-ju asks why he even comes home if all he ever does here is sleep, and Sun-woo asks to sleep some more, but caves and asks for breakfast.
Jung-hwan wakes up to find his parents doing the same creepy hovering thing, and he jumps out of his skin. He asks why they didn’t wake him, but Mom and Dad wanted to let him sleep in. Mom is so cute about having made his favorite dish, and Jung-hwan laughs into his pillow.
Bora and Deok-sun wake up face-to-face, which surprises Bora since she didn’t hear Deok-sun come home last night. They start the morning off with an old-school fight, and Dad chuckles that it sounds like home again. Dad gets a bloody nose that morning, and Mom looks more worried than usual.
At Sun-woo and Taek’s house, Sun-woo says that all the kids are getting together tonight because Jung-hwan is leaving tomorrow. Taek says he has a match, but it should end early. Jin-ju nags him to do fewer competitions, and when Sun-woo laughs, she nags him not to come home anymore if all he’s going to do is sleep. When Taek laughs at that, she nags him not to date that celebrity who likes him, or else. Guess we know who the boss is around here.
At Jung-hwan’s house, Mom stares and stares at the calendar feeling like something is off, and goes to check the calendar on her nightstand. We see her flip back a few months and find a date circled, but the past few months are clean. Hm, I wonder if it’s menopause.
Deok-sun and Jung-hwan head out together to meet the gang, and he notices that she keeps checking her pager. She asks if it’s okay to take his car when they’re going to drink, and he says she’ll be driving it home. He tells her to put on some music, but all he has are Lee Moon-se tapes so she picks one, and they spend the whole ride bickering like old times.
They have beers with Dong-ryong and Sun-woo, and Taek is on his way. Jung-hwan notices that Deok-sun looks up every time someone opens the front door, which just leaves tiny cracks in my heart every time.
Dong-ryong asks for Jung-hwan’s graduation ring, and Jung-hwan takes it out but says it’s kind of a waste to give it to Dong-ryong. Dong-ryong complains that he doesn’t have anyone else to give it to and will die before ever proposing to a girl, and says, “It’s my wish to see you confess before I die.”
Suddenly Jung-hwan says, “Deok-sun-ah…” and puts the ring box in front of her. HOLY SHIT. He says he was going to give it to her when he graduated, but he’s doing it now. Sun-woo and Dong-ryong stare at each other wondering what’s going on, but Jung-hwan just continues like they’re not even there.
Jung-hwan: “I like you.” He says it again so intently, and then laughs as he tells her about all the things he did, like waiting for an hour outside the house just to go to school with her, or not being able to sleep until she came home from the library every night: “All I ever thought about was you.”
Dong-ryong mouths to Sun-woo: “This bastard must be for real!” Sun-woo tells him to shut it. Jung-hwan names the times they ran into each other on the bus, or went to the concert together, or when she gave him a shirt for his birthday: “I was so happy I thought I’d go crazy.” He says he always wanted to see her more, and was just happy when he was with her. Deok-sun smiles as he says all this, and he adds, “I’ve wanted to tell you this for a long time: I really like you. I love you.” Omg, I’m a puddle of goo.
The moment lingers, and then suddenly Jung-hwan turns to Dong-ryong and asks, “Is that good, moron? You said this was your wish.” Oh nooooooooes, Jung-hwan, you’re not going to act like it was all a joke, are you? I’m going to go cry in a corner now.
Sun-woo and Dong-ryong are so shocked that they don’t even understand at first, but then they take it as him pulling one over on all of them and laugh. Sun-woo asks Deok-sun if she was fooled too, and she just smiles, not knowing what to say to that. Jung-hwan smiles on the outside, but he looks like he’s on the verge of tears. Are you seriously going to take this TO YOUR FREAKING GRAVE?
Dong-ryong says he’s smitten and confesses that he loves Jung-hwan back, and they laugh it off like it was a prank. Deok-sun looks over at the door again when it opens, and Jung-hwan notes it again.
In flashback, we see that after Jung-hwan told Deok-sun she didn’t look pretty in a hanbok way back in 1988, he ran inside to stare at her from the window. And after showing up to give her an umbrella in the rain and walk away with his cool one-liner, he ran home and freaked out like big dork, and smiled at himself for doing the cool thing.
He was a total spaz about the Christmas present too, and nearly chickened out of asking No-eul to deliver it for him. He finally managed to give it to No-eul, who couldn’t comprehend why Jung-hwan would be giving Deok-sun a Christmas present, and to cover up his own embarrassment, Jung-hwan basically kicked him until No-eul was too afraid to ask more questions. Lol.
The group reminisces about old times over drinks, and they decide to move on to round two and page Taek to meet them there. They get up to go, and Jung-hwan’s ring gets left behind on the table.
COMMENTS
Noooo, don’t leave it on the table! Is first love over, just like that? It can’t be over, there are two episodes left! I’m starting to have a mild panic attack here, because I was not expecting Jung-hwan to just fold like that. How can you confess like THAT, so sincere and heartfelt, and then say you’re kidding? That’s not… You can’t… AGH. That confession really threw me for a loop. And I still can’t read Deok-sun’s expressions throughout it—is it just sweet nostalgia for an old crush, and is she waiting for Boyfriend Taek to arrive? (Not that I wouldn’t squee about that either. I mean, that’s kind of the nice thing, or terrible thing, about this love triangle.) Or is she disappointed when he acts like he punked them and she’s trying to save face? I feel like Jung-hwan just took himself out of the race with that final I-love-you-just-kidding, but if he really did, I don’t know if I can handle it. *whimper*
It really is in keeping with their characters for Taek to go all in when he sees an opportunity and for Jung-hwan to hesitate so long that he shoots himself in the foot. So, so much that it kills me. But I am glad that he finally learned his lesson about making your own damn fate, because screw timing and coincidence—you make that fate yourself with every choice, and hesitation and inaction are choices too. That’s a really important thing for Jung-hwan to learn as he finally grows up, even if he learns it in the most painful way possible. The thing that throws a wrench in everything is that we still don’t know how Deok-sun feels about any of this, whether seeing Taek at the concert reignited old feelings, whether Taek finally confessed, or if she’s ever thought of either them in the years since high school.
I didn’t expect to be moved by Jung-bong and Mi-ok’s reunion, because their loveline has always been comic relief or just sweet. But Jung-bong was crying when he finally found her again, and I suddenly felt like he’d had a hole in his heart all those years. It fits his character more than anyone else that he’d be fixated on his first love and never move on, and because their loveline was never guaranteed, I was so relieved when she walked through the door.
Bora and Sun-woo, on the other hand, were always going to get back together; it was just a matter of how. It was the best crossover yet to have Garbage and Sun-woo as classmates in med school, since it works out that they’re the same age (I never really stopped to think about how the timelines overlapped, and find it funny that these kids are older than Na-jung and the rest of the 1994 gang, even though, duh). The blind date switcheroo might’ve been an actual twist of fate, but I liked that Bora owned up to saying yes for that tiny chance that she might see Sun-woo again. It’s nice to see the reversal too, because he always chased her and liked her more when they were young, and now she has to work to convince him to give their relationship another chance. I thought it was cute that she went on the date even after knowing that Sun-woo’s nickname could never be Garbage, just on the off chance that she could make him jealous. It’s so roundabout when she could just knock on his door, but he clearly hasn’t made it very easy for her to approach him.
It’s a big relief to know that everyone has at least attempted to move on and date other people, and that it’s not for lack of trying that they’re still lingering on first loves (I’d argue that it’s because some of you never confessed, but that’s water under the bridge). Taek and Sun-woo’s family is so cute that I just want to spend entire episodes with Bossy Princess Jin-ju telling her oppas how to behave, with Mom looking after Taek and Dad getting Sun-woo to play catch. They’re like a mini Brady Bunch, and I love it. Taek eats whole meals, has a little sister to dote on, and their house doesn’t seem so quiet and sad anymore. I found it hilarious that all the parents kept staring at their sleeping kids because they never see them anymore—it helped make the passage of time feel real, in a way that just cutting their hair or dressing them differently doesn’t do nearly as well. Because the parents actually act like they desperately miss their kids, I find myself thinking of them as having left the nest and living full adult lives out there. It makes the group reunions bittersweet too, but it means more that they still get together on Taek’s birthday because that’s tradition, and that they make time for each other even though their lives are going in all sorts of different directions. At least I know that no matter which way the loveline goes, our gang will always be the same. Okay, I’m off to go cry some more.
RELATED POSTS
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 17
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 16
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 15
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 14
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 13
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 12
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 11
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 10
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 9
- Answer Me 1988 delays broadcast in January
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 8
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 7
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 6
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 5
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 4
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 3
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 2
- Answer Me 1988: Episode 1
Tags: Answer Me 1988, featured, Go Kyung-pyo, Hyeri, Park Bo-gum, Ryu Joon-yeol
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 jinju
January 9, 2016 at 8:39 PM
thank you thank you thank you!
Required fields are marked *
whatsthescenario
January 9, 2016 at 11:45 PM
+1 Thank you for the recap!!!!!!!!
I've been Team JH since day #1, especially after they were running away from Dean and hid together in the alley way. Oh the feels!!! So...WTF is this epi about right now? Writer-nim, why you doing this to me???? Ugh, just get it over with and stop playing games already.
I do sincerely love Taek. He's the cutest puppy ever . But... (very unpopular opinion to follow) I don't know if he is life-partner material. I mean, when it comes to being a genius, no one can doubt it. But when it comes to everyday life, I feel it would be frustrating after a while to have to take care of every little detail of normal like bc he doesn't know how to function IRL. The issue with his parking is just one more thing on the long list of things that would drive be plain nutty (or when he couldn't figure out that the tea kettle was not warming up bc it was not plugged in. Like, SRLY??). I have a thing about driving and bad drivers. Pet peeve is ppl that don't know how to maneuver a vehicle, yet subject the rest of the world to their non sense (bad parking, bad driving). I can see that he genuinely loves DS and whenever needed, he steps up to protect her (from the flasher, from the school cop, and from the volleyball), but he kind of checks out when it comes to the practical stuff and I'm a very practical person
JH, I need you to get it together for the next episode already. I feel my ship is sinking but I will go down with this ship. S.O.S please writer-nim!!!!
Again, Thank you so much for the speedy recap.
Required fields are marked *
Mango
January 10, 2016 at 8:31 AM
Oh man... if jung hwan doesnt get the girl, he'd be more chillbongie than chillbongie itself. he'd be chillbongie''s freaky ancestor to forlorn love.
Required fields are marked *
June
January 13, 2016 at 8:46 AM
that made me l o l so hard. gah my heart freaking tears for junghwan. he is 100x more suited for ds. i just dont feel any sort of chemistry between taek and ds. when its just the two of them, it feels like there is no life in their conversation. Yes he is cute, but junghwan and ds personality compliment one another so much better
Required fields are marked *
rinne
April 7, 2016 at 12:57 AM
if junghwan doesn't get the girl, let's change 'chillbongie' into 'junghwanie'.
it's okay I will be FINE with it. (Frustated. Insane. Neurotic. Emotional)
#TeamJH
Required fields are marked *
Teamjh
December 26, 2016 at 6:22 AM
At least chilbongie proposed and was able to get over his feelings but jung hwan u frustrating idiot didn't even talk your true feelings just why did u do that why but anyway u broke my heart into pieces idiot
Off to sob am going to cry in a corner
lemondoodle
January 10, 2016 at 8:41 AM
I think both guys would be equally bad to actually marry. One can't do anything on his own and one can't say anything straight. DS could do better.
Required fields are marked *
SonyaK
January 10, 2016 at 9:00 AM
Haha, my husband is a JH twin. Crazy passive aggressive, but I managed to pull him out of his shell a bit and he is pretty straight forward with me after a few years of marriage. If art emulates life, that is probably further proof of why DS just doesn't work with JH. He needs someone a bit more like Bora, straight shooter, and won't let him beat around the bush.
Required fields are marked *
aida
January 11, 2016 at 6:36 AM
All seriousness aside, your comment made me laugh. you're so right...
Required fields are marked *
SobSob
January 10, 2016 at 9:27 PM
I am pissed at the writers too. They are toying with our emotion. If the husband is going to be Taek, then why showing the efforts from JH. They should have kept focus on CT. I would hate to see him (JH) cry again in the drama.
Please make JH's first love come true. He is just perfect husband material.
Thanks for the recap.
P.S. : I cried like a baby after watching JH crack like that.
Required fields are marked *
aida
January 11, 2016 at 6:47 AM
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Jung-hwan is NOT perfect husband material. He's as swoony as they come, but for a relationship (and especially marriage) to work you need to be able to communicate your thoughts and feelings, which he obviously cannot. At least not until he realizes he, like girlfriday said, shot himself in the foot.
Also, don't be mad at the writers. Who said the misunderstood guy who can't even tell the girl he likes her has to win the said girl? That's usually not how life works. Would you be with someone who waits five years to tell you they like you only to turn it into a joke?
Required fields are marked *
lemondoodle
January 14, 2016 at 3:33 PM
Idk man, I'm not sure a guy who can't even admit in public that his wife is pretty is what I consider "perfect husband material". I think of anyone qualifies as perfect it's Sun Woo. Says what he feels and works hard to get the girl.
Required fields are marked *
aen03
January 15, 2016 at 7:23 AM
I am sooo waiting for the comments when they upload a recap of 19.... table flipping time
Shop-girl
May 3, 2020 at 12:40 AM
I started the series thinking JH is DS' endgame, but from Ep 6 where they already showed us hints of TK's interest in DS, and then scenes setup of them together with sentimental/romantic montages in Ep 9-10 (China DS taking care of TK; beach scene), I already knew TK is the husband. Admit it, JH-DS didn't have any of those romantic montages. It was already so obvious if you're not fixated on only one person in this show. If you also love all of them equally, you would have been happy for Duk Seon because she actually made the better choice between the 2 -- the guy she cared for the most out of all the 4 friends she grew up with, and the guy who always openly appreciated & adored her.
Required fields are marked *
Banana
January 12, 2016 at 3:43 AM
i cry a river when junghwan can't get to deoksun and got beaten by taek :(((((((((((((((((((
Required fields are marked *
cinthy
January 12, 2016 at 8:14 AM
I totally agree taek is not dependable! He can't tie his shoelaces!
Required fields are marked *
btsxfangirl94
January 12, 2016 at 2:14 PM
jung hwan is the husband im 100% sure
Required fields are marked *
Samdong
September 30, 2022 at 9:08 AM
I was just on a Reply rewatch marathon and though I've been on team Taek since day 1, I can't get over some ppl missing out how Taek has been one of the mature one from the group. Boy has no mother since childhood, and being the genius has earned money since then. Tackling adult's matter like calling your network to have a relative taken care of or understanding reporters (giving them money even when he doesn't drink), not to mention the way he interacts with his dad..
As team Chilbong in 1994, I can't be happier that they decided to give the chance to the Chilbong in 1988 though.
Required fields are marked *
Maddie
January 13, 2016 at 8:19 PM
I just remembered something that makes me think that Taek might actually be the husband. Several episodes ago, there was a present-day scene of Duk Seon and her husband and they were talking about how they dated other people before they started dating. She said something along the lines of "you went out with so many girls before we got together". In episode 18, the gang's all talking about their dating lives: how DS's always getting rejected, how JH can't really date because of his post, and how Taek goes on the most dates out of all of them... Honestly, I'm so confused. I was so sure that JH would be the husband until these last two episodes. If the writer is following a similar format to the other two Reply series, then JH will obviously end up being the husband, but I don't know if they're switching it up on us. I'm pretty upset with JH right now though. His confession made me cry, and when he said is was a joke my tears became tears of anger. My heart aches for him in this episode, but I really, really wish he wouldn't have waited so darn long to do anything about his feelings for DS. At this point, I would be completely fine with either JH or Taek ending up with DS since I love them both so much. I just hope that whoever gets rejected is happy in the long run. If not...Ugh.
Required fields are marked *
ItsHappening
January 15, 2016 at 7:32 AM
Great recap! And yes, great lesson about fate and coincidences.
---------
Like some of my fellow other commentators, i am team JH! So I have to vent about how disappointed I was with this episode.
First, Taek's character as a love interest is so underdeveloped, he is missing for good chunks of the story because he is away for competitions so he doesn’t spend a lot of time with the gang since the very beginning. Also in most of his relationships he seems to receive more than he gives (he only forfeits one game to be with her??).
Second, when did DS get over her crush for JH??
Third, why does JH give up so easily? Why doesn’t he at least cry it out and hate Taek for a bit?
I need to point out that I am usually annoyed about the portrayal of lead love interests as mean and spiteful simply because they can’t figure out their feelings. But I don’t think that is the case here. They are teenagers, being cold and being mean are different and they mostly arise over a series of miscommunication (ex: pink shirt) or playful and regular teasing when in the group.
-end vent -
My ideal alternative ending: After JH’s confession (and what an amazing confession!), DS would have stared straight into his eyes and said “what took you so long”
OR
DS returns to the table to pick up the fiancée ring that was left behind.
Required fields are marked *
Rachel
January 16, 2016 at 7:40 AM
All good points and great ideas for an alternate ending!
Required fields are marked *
2 sushi
January 9, 2016 at 8:39 PM
This episode made me very confused
Required fields are marked *
Dita
January 9, 2016 at 9:59 PM
I know right?
All we need is DS's POV in the next week.
Required fields are marked *
3 jazza
January 9, 2016 at 8:39 PM
Been waiting for this. Thank you!
Required fields are marked *
4 its_myobsession
January 9, 2016 at 8:41 PM
i'm so confused right now I don't know what to think, I don't know what to feel, and my heart is happy yet it hurts at the same time... what just happened? did it really happen? and most importantly how are we supposed to wait a whole week for ep 19?
Required fields are marked *
its_myobsession
January 10, 2016 at 6:00 PM
guys, they played Lee Moon Sae's version of "Little Girl" during the confession scene... THAT HAS TO MEAN SOMETHING RIGHT?! lol it has to! it's the first time they've played the original version in the drama.
Also, i've rewatched the scene a hundred times since yesterday, and still think Deok Sun knew he was being sincere. But alas we will have to wait until Friday to know for sure.
Required fields are marked *
5 puppy
January 9, 2016 at 8:46 PM
The Song of the Day for the episode is the same as that of Reply 1994 final episode.
Required fields are marked *
6 seoqueen
January 9, 2016 at 8:47 PM
OH MY GOSHHHHHH JH YOU'RE BREAKING MY HEART!!!! My heart says yes to JH but I like the fact that DS and CT actually have a gradual friendship and getting to know each other outside the friend group. I feel like there wasn't much interaction or progression between DS and JH and it would seem weird if all of a sudden they ended together. Anyways, I'm gonna go cry a river too.
Required fields are marked *
june
January 10, 2016 at 4:09 PM
I've come to think the writer follows a certain pattern in her series: the tension/spark(that only the true OTP has) is there and implied in certain scenes but they're bickering for the most part. And nothing ever really will happen before the relationship actually takes off and when it does, set the screen on fire with hugs and kisses. That 'I love you' though! The only thing that gets me thinking Jung Hwan is the ultimate husband is the very reason the two haven't shared a kiss nor a hug and it just seems deliberate on the writer's part as though she's saving it to seal the OTP LOL
Required fields are marked *
ravenndei
January 10, 2016 at 6:06 PM
oh my god you actually gave me hope. i was crying so hard last night huhuhu
Required fields are marked *
7 Jyc
January 9, 2016 at 8:47 PM
I'm glad all the confusion was cleared up. Everyone last night all thought he made a joke out of that confession. Whew.
I blame on the production. They're obviously dragging this until the last episode, playing at every chance they get to keep people guessing. I know this game went on in Reply 1997, but at least that show was straightforward when it comes to the romance. Is it so difficult to stop with this game already? Let us see our main couple (whoever it may be) confirm what they feel and have us watch them transitioning to a romantic kind of relationship? COME ON.
Nevertheless, I have been thinking that there must be some chance that Taek already confessed his feelings to Deok-sun. Jung-hwan did his indirect confession last night, and we all saw Deok-sun's eyes as she listens to him, but he took it back (guuuuhhh i mean Little Girl is playing and we're all hanging by every word HOW DARE YOU WRITER). If this is the case (which I honestly prefer), then the choice is entirely up to Deok-sun now. It's her heart's choice that will end this thing.
And please let's all just get it over with. I'd rather see people build up their relationship and strengthen it more than spend time in a triangle that's long due for 7 episodes already.
Last, I'd like to put it here, just because [credit to ic3chubb3 (Soompi), with super minor edit]:
"Deoksun-ah. I wanted to give this to you during our graduation years ago but I'm somehow just giving it to you now. I like you. I said I like you. Ya, do you even know the things I've done because of you? I used to wait for over an hour every day in front of our house gate just to go to school together with you. I couldn't go to sleep at all because I was so worried whenever you are not back home from the library. 'Why is she so late? Did she fell asleep again?' Ya, you were everything on my mind. You! When we chance upon each other on the bus, when we went to the concert together, and when you gave me the shirt as my birthday gift on my birthday. I was really so happy that I thought I'm going crazy. I missed you a dozen times each day, and I was just really happy each time I get the chance to see you. I wanted to tell you this a long time before: I really like you. I love you."
Legit made me cry, despite what happened after.
Required fields are marked *
maknaee
January 9, 2016 at 8:58 PM
*crying*
Required fields are marked *
diniyuukie
January 9, 2016 at 9:12 PM
I'm sad for Junghwan ? I'm just going to continue to cry more ?
Required fields are marked *
Dead Mafia
January 9, 2016 at 10:13 PM
I cried a lot this morning, omg, JH deserves to be happy.
He hold his feeling for a long time, and liked DS even before alley scene...
If he's not the husband, I think we will get a new vocabulary "jungpal-ed" to call all future tragedies... *crying*
Totally a new level of tragedy.
How dare the scriptwriter make all of us fall in love in JH charcter and turn him into a pathetic one?? *crying*
JH feeling were just sacrificed for the ratings. And it seems that he's being a third person between DS-TK romance.
Also, how can DS really calm and didn't show any reaction and keeps looking at the door???
It seems that DS interest in JH is 0%.
OMG... DS is the most frustrating heroin in reply series...
MY HEART IS BLEEDING FOR JH.
I AM CRYING AGAIN NOW......... TT____TT
*cry in the corner*
Required fields are marked *
SonyaK
January 10, 2016 at 9:04 AM
Haha, on behalf of those who also fell in love with Taek's character.. I don't think there was anyway that this was going to end without heartbreak. One of the boys was going to get heartbroken, but as long as the writer continues to follow a logic progression for the characters, I am happy with either outcome.
Required fields are marked *
Dreamer
January 10, 2016 at 12:36 PM
No.. Being a supporter of team taek and it seems like it should be simple to predict... but i still believe Jung Hwan will be the husband....what i think is that Taek and Deok sun will together force jung hwan to really confess to deok sun... that is the only way left to jung hwan to come again... i think taek has resolve his feelings for Deok Sun in the past when he late his flight one more day... DS also know about JH feelings.. (the pic in the wallet she gave to JH) and taek is working for Deok Sun and Jung Hwan... :)
Required fields are marked *
SobSob
January 10, 2016 at 9:39 PM
You just spoke my heart. I cried for 2 hours. Still crying a lot. WHY........Why JH's being made so miserable? The writers are being too cruel on the character. They are making our heart bleed. From what I see, points are piling up for CT (*crying*). He is good, but went on dates. But i think JH hasn't dated at all (so sweet).
Required fields are marked *
elric
January 9, 2016 at 10:44 PM
Someone uploaded a sub video of that scene ?? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4bGK6r9gMU&feature=youtu.be&a=&app=desktop
Required fields are marked *
fatraspberry
January 9, 2016 at 10:50 PM
I cried happy tears when he confessed and then cried even more when he said "is this enough?" to Dong-ryong. And cried like a baby when they reveal that he has been in love with her since ep 1. damn.
Required fields are marked *
Melissa
January 12, 2016 at 11:12 PM
Damn, this show has got me reaaaaal good. I was crying buckets with Jung Hwan's scenes like that :((
Required fields are marked *
Hanayuki
January 10, 2016 at 3:22 AM
I'd like to put it here too, a fan wrote DS's confession on DC, and it's really beautiful. I hope it is happens for real next week.
(translation credit to janeadelaine @soompi)
"Junghwan-ah
I like you too. I said I like you.
Because of you too, I waited for you at the front gate since early morning so that we can go to school together.
Knowing that you went even earlier, the next day I went out at dawn and waited for you to come.
Our meeting in the bus wasn't a coincidence.
And the day when you waited for me and gave me the umbrella, or when you told me not to go on the blind date, I was really fluttered I couldn't even breathe.
When we went to the Lee Munsae concert that you rejected at first, actually I didn't hurt my leg. Just because I like you, because seeing how you cared and concerned for me really makes me happy, I'm acting to be in pain on purpose.
That day, because of you who although were complaining, but held my hand and helped me, I thought I was going crazy because I was so happy.
I also wanted to meet you dozen of times a day. I just like it when I see you.
I also have wanted to say this from long time ago. I really like you.
I love you."
Required fields are marked *
Mango
January 10, 2016 at 7:13 PM
Is DC= Dramacool?
I thought it was deactivated...
Required fields are marked *
Aya
January 11, 2016 at 6:38 AM
Dramacool is still active. if you search for Dramaonline / fastdrama however, you will end up at Dramacool (I don't know since when). I used to download all the series from dramaonline but now, i prefer myasiantv instead.
Required fields are marked *
Mango
January 15, 2016 at 1:02 PM
Thanks Aya.^^
Eversince Dramacool got deactivated, I found myasian.tv which uploaded really clear vids although at a much slower rate.
hanayuki
January 11, 2016 at 6:39 AM
It's a south korean internet forum, this is the site:
http://www.dcinside.com/
and this is for answer me 88
http://gall.dcinside.com/board/lists/?id=reply1988
Required fields are marked *
heartily
January 10, 2016 at 4:19 AM
I was rooting and still rooting for Jung-hwan. But...my heart can take it. damn Show...u're doing the angst too well
Required fields are marked *
Reena
January 10, 2016 at 4:20 AM
I also think that Taek might have confessed to Deok Sun too, maaaaybe telling her that JH likes her? Orr he confessed his feelings to DS and DS turned him down so that's why she kept on turning to the door during JH confession...
Required fields are marked *
skelly
January 10, 2016 at 8:43 AM
Not crying over him, instead I am angry with his games-playing and emotional blackmail:
- See all I've done for you? Don't you feel guilty? How can you not like me? That's emotional blackmail.
- Oh wait, it was all a joke! That's playing stupid games.
He's as bad as the Reply team when it comes to dragging his feet, withholding information, and doing the cute fake-out. Both the show and this character had everything going for them, a warm heart and earnestness, but now I am so done with both of them.
Required fields are marked *
nomad
January 10, 2016 at 4:47 PM
I thought that would be mean as well, because we as the audience knew that DS used to have a crush on him. I would be totally pissed if I were DS having a guy saying those things which I thought was sincere only to back up at the end. How would I know what JH was feeling inside?
Having said that, as an audience and one who's been rooting for JH, I'm heart broken. All the other reply series, even though I was rooting for my dearest most heart warming second lead ever CB, I knew deep inside that Oppa-ya was going to be the one. Knew it. In reply 1997, I was never in doubt that SIG was going to be the husband. I've never felt this deceived ever if Taek was going to be the husband. I love Taek, sure...who doesn't? But hth Taek suddenly act all taciturn as a husband while he was never that way to DS before? Sure we can all say that's because the writers never even told any of the actors who the end game was going to be. But I'll say that's just bulls**t on the writers and director's part...cause people's personalities change, sure...but not like that.
-rant over-
Required fields are marked *
salt n' pepper
January 10, 2016 at 4:55 PM
Noooooooo, I'm crying, too! I mean Taekie is just the cutest puppy dog but Junghwan, he's something else. Please don't tell me my ship has sunk. If so, he's going to be "more Chilbong than Chilbong himself", like what everyone else is saying. T___T
Required fields are marked *
SobSob
January 10, 2016 at 9:32 PM
I absolutely agree. The writers are dragging it too much. I am on JH's team.
Required fields are marked *
Melissa
January 12, 2016 at 11:10 PM
AT FIRST, I WATCHED THAT SCENE (WITHOUT KNOWING THAT HE TOOK IT BACK) AND IT MADE ME SQUEAL AND CRYING AT THE SAME TIME.....
However, when I was watching the whole episode, my heart repeatedly broke apart in this episode. :(
Please let it be team jung hwan. Pleaseeeeee. :(
Required fields are marked *
craziecattie
January 26, 2016 at 8:26 PM
Image all the effort he gave to do such a confession. JH who always hesitate and not a romantic person.
Even though he turned it into a joke in the end, but still..
JUNGHWAN-AAAAAA!
Required fields are marked *
8 punyaw
January 9, 2016 at 8:48 PM
Thanks girlfriday!
I'm extremely glad that Jungpal got time to confess. His confession is very real, deep and touching. Really. I can't stop hit the repeat button lol. And the look in Deoksun's eyes... I wonder if Deoksun doesn't take his confession as a joke?...
Hmm, so everything is on Deoksun's hand (or the writer's hand?) now. Honestly I don't really care who is the husband now (all I know the husband is Kim Joo-hyuk! lol) but I really, really, hope that everyone has a happy ending.
Taek and Junghwan are both precious. So please, a happy ending for both two! No, I mean, for everyone is Ssangmundong!
Required fields are marked *
SonyaK
January 10, 2016 at 9:27 AM
Ditto that!
Required fields are marked *
wien
January 11, 2016 at 4:50 AM
i got this crazy thought that maybe Kim Joo Hyuk is not the future husband.. Coz all that KJH said and done in his appearance refers that HE IS TAEK.. But maaayybbeee,, i said maybe, KJH is future Taek who's happen to be at DS's house at the day DS got interviewed, but not the husband.. as we know, Bora-SunWoo relationship is way too real.. so maybe Bora ended marrying SunWoo, and Taek (KJH) of course become DS's brother in law.. and it's not uncommon for Taek as brother in law visiting DS's house, right..?
Required fields are marked *
9 Jyc
January 9, 2016 at 8:50 PM
Oh wait ge actually treated it as a joke--although not in the meanest sense as I thought it would.
I'm bothered that Deok-sun keeps looking at the door. It doesn't feel good. I might have my Jung-hwan heart broken next week. Okay bye hahahaha
Required fields are marked *
maknaee
January 9, 2016 at 9:05 PM
In Jung-hwan's car, she waits for him to beep her.
In restaurant, she waits for him to come.
OMG, my heaaart. *torn*
Required fields are marked *
10 pinkfluff99
January 9, 2016 at 8:50 PM
So he liked her since episode 1... It wasnt just sexual feelings. OMG JUNGHWAN. THAT SONG THT CAME OUT WHEN HE WAS CRYING BYUN JIN SUB IT HAS BEEN MY FAV SONG SINCE I WAS 5...
Required fields are marked *
Porkie
January 10, 2016 at 8:17 AM
I had a feeling he liked her way before that scene in the alley. I was confused when I see some comments that say it all started there and it was just physical/sexual on JH side. I'm glad it's all cleared up now though it makes me feel more sad for him.
Required fields are marked *
11 Chrysalidding
January 9, 2016 at 8:51 PM
OMG! Thank you for the recap! Have been refreshing like mad!
Required fields are marked *
12 Junghwan lover
January 9, 2016 at 8:53 PM
Thanks!
2 eps left. So sad.
Required fields are marked *
13 crying
January 9, 2016 at 8:54 PM
crying ?????
Required fields are marked *
crying
January 9, 2016 at 10:12 PM
i'm most likely grasping at straws here but... instinctively, i feel like as though deoksun's going to make an excuse upon leaving the restaurant (like she needs to go to the toilet or something) to retrieve the ring. i don't think it'll be a confirmation of her feelings but, rather, an indication of her inner struggles? if that makes sense hahahaha ? and i also have a feeling that the scene where junghwan leaves seoul for his post (the day after the scene where this ep ends) will be VERY significant. hahahahah these dramatic scenes are pretty common (where, at the very last minute, loves are revealed etcetc). this is all, however, purely speculation based on my instincts ☺️ just thought i'd like to share my thoughts/ prediction ❤️
Required fields are marked *
lemondoodle
January 10, 2016 at 4:28 AM
The ring won't get left. She'll pick it up and give it back. Either to give it to him for real, or to thank him for loving her, and that she knows his confession wasn't a joke.
Required fields are marked *
Porkie
January 10, 2016 at 8:27 AM
I really hope this would happen. Whether she accepts it or refuse and thank him for it, it would be really great if she acknowledges the confession.
Required fields are marked *
lemondoodle
January 10, 2016 at 8:45 AM
Yep. I hope so. One way or the other I feel she needs to.
If not acceptance, I could see a bittersweet "I could have loved you" kind of thing from DS, if she rejects him. Because she could have if he hadn't backed off.
14 Link
January 9, 2016 at 8:57 PM
Wow Just wow. I rarely get emotional over K-drama romances, but Junghwan got me right in the gut with that confession.
I also really appreciated the flashbacks at the end. I always thought JH liked DS long before the sexual tension in the alleyway scene. I suspected he liked her from episode 1, when he gave that little smile when she appeared on TV. It's nice to have some clear confirmation that it wasn't just hormones!
Required fields are marked *
Miranda
January 10, 2016 at 9:35 AM
Yes, VERY nice to see that - but also unfortunately shows JH's horrible habit of stonewalling DS emotionally. Which he's been doing for YEARS!
One of my favorite scenes from this show is very early on when DS is dancing like a fool in front of the TV. The boys have just been talking about how a woman who does that in front of you isn't interested in you, and JH is staring at her with an expression that's both revolted and embarrassed.
And then Taek comes in the door, is startled, but then breaks into the widest, loveliest smile. DS beckons him over and he joins her, still giggling in this utterly delighted way. She's surprised him and he finds her just wonderful.
I don't think one of the boys deserves to win over the other, but track-record-wise, JH has either hidden or outright denied his feelings while Taek has generally been transparent. JH sees things he loves in DS and hoards them inside himself, while Taek reflects them back at her. Which probably set a lot of the pattern where Taek is consistently faster off the mark when it's time to actually express himself to DS.
And again, DS isn't a prize who gets handed out to the most needy or worthy, but holy crap who else is going to have the patience and take the time to really get to know Taek and understand he's worth marrying?
Required fields are marked *
Link
January 10, 2016 at 10:16 AM
"DS isn’t a prize who gets handed out to the most needy or worthy." Yes, exactly this.
Honestly, even with Taek's smiles, BOTH guys have been hiding their complete feelings for years, and it's driving me crazy. I liked seeing confirmation of JH's sincerity since that was a big concern for some people (that he only started liking her after their physical proximity), but really, what's going to make or break the finale for me isn't who they pick as the husband at all.
At this point, the only way I'll be satisfied is if everyone is completely open with DS for once and she's allowed to make her own choice for once. Not because her friends said JH liked her. Not because CT made it to the concert faster. I just want all of the cards on the table so that she can decide how SHE feels.
Required fields are marked *
Chiisan
January 10, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Even though the husband might very well be Jungpal, I've been on Taek team from the beginning. I think I'm less frustrated with Taek because I admire his emotional maturity. It bothers me how some JH-DS shippers always bash Taek for being clumsy and clueless at everyday things like parking, boiling water, or getting directions. For me, that clumsiness of him is still better than hurting the girl you love with harsh words or inaction.
I'm actually pleased to see Deoksun's reactions in the last two episodes. This time, she's thinking about Taek because of the way SHE sees him, not because anyone else has suggested to her "Hey, he likes you. Go like him back!" Whether they end up together or not, it seems like Deoksun has become aware of her own feelings.
Required fields are marked *
Liz
January 11, 2016 at 7:08 AM
I agree with you 100 percent!!!!
Required fields are marked *
curious_cat
January 12, 2016 at 1:50 AM
"The boys have just been talking about how a woman who does that in front of you isn’t interested in you, and JH is staring at her with an expression that’s both revolted and embarrassed."
I think JH's expressions was like that because his hope (that maybe DS sees him as a man or at least interested in him) was crushed, because she's dancing like that and doesn't even care what he thinks of her.
Required fields are marked *
15 maknaee
January 9, 2016 at 8:57 PM
I cried a river for this eps.
Kim Jung-hwaaaaan. His rainy-crying scene... *torn*
The best, yet worst confession ever. I admit that I'm fluttering for every words he tells to Deok-sun.
When show gave the JH's crush flasback scene. Waaaah *wiping tears*
If JH isn't the husband in the end ...
It makes me sadder that no one knows his feelings, his crush. He kept it for himself. He can't say it to anyone. He has no one to tell bc he choose not to tell.
... and there's a possibility I got the triple crown reply series heartbreak :
R97 - oppa , R94 - Chilbong , R988 - Junghwan .
Just lemme give you a big hug. I'm always on your side, fool. :'D
Required fields are marked *
Ukki
January 10, 2016 at 1:47 AM
I'm a Taek shipper with the same Reply record as you. I think we're pretty rare most people didn't end up on the wrong ship during 1997. I was thinking I'll get the triple crown too. I guess we'll see in episode 20.
Required fields are marked *
maknaee
January 10, 2016 at 5:19 PM
Hahaha you're right about our clearly 'wrong' ship on R97.
Actually, I'm a former team Taek.
I jumped into Taek ship right away at the beginning, clearly because of Park Bogum. I just love him so much after I Remember You.
Then, Ryu Jun-yeol's Junghwan moved me in eps 3. Ship's changed! kkk
Even my love for PBG can't change my love for Junghwan. I'm just glad that the one played as Taek is PBG, cause he made Taek adorable and bearable with all the clumsiness.
I hate Trash so much, but can never hate Taek hahaha *irony*
See ya then, Ukki! :D
Required fields are marked *
MartinAnatias
January 11, 2016 at 9:27 PM
I hate Trash so much, but can never hate Taek hahaha *irony*---- exactly how I feel about Trash and Taek!
Required fields are marked *
16 liy
January 9, 2016 at 8:57 PM
Someone tweeted that the husband's jacket has airforce symbol. Waaaa. still.. wishful thinking that its Taek.
Required fields are marked *
Junebug
January 9, 2016 at 9:15 PM
In the forum on Soompi, others have pointed this out as well. The fans investigation of the symbol points to a popular jacket company and has nothing to do with the Air Force.
Required fields are marked *
rhienz
January 10, 2016 at 2:01 AM
in this episode, i noticed the two things that made junghwan the husband; one : the air force symbol the husband was wearing. two : his love of comics. if im not wrong, i think the one that loved comics was junghwan and not Taek.
Required fields are marked *
Lidya
January 10, 2016 at 4:10 AM
IKR the comic! but people noticed that the husband gesture reminds them a lot to TK with his awkward attitude and his slouching posture :/
Required fields are marked *
Lidya
January 10, 2016 at 4:11 AM
and also, old DS told him to maintained his image to stop reading comic and he didn't like interview that much that indicates the future husband somewhat is popular
Required fields are marked *
Kent
January 10, 2016 at 4:20 AM
Both Junghwan and Taek loved comics. I remember clearly when Taek called to cancelled the date with Doeksun because he realized that Junghwan likes her too, he was passed out with comics on his bedside. For me, there is no escape from heartbreak, I love both of the boys and would feel sad for one not chosen.
Required fields are marked *
sunnyl
January 10, 2016 at 5:47 AM
Now it is war between UNamRyu (husband Ryu Joon-yeol is endgame) and UNamTaek (husband Taek is endgame) lol.
The reason they say it could Taek.
1. Duk-sun's husband used his left hand when he drank Coffee
2. He smokes.
3. Duk-sun looked at the picture she took with Taek in China, and said 'This is your fateful day?'
4. It took 10 years for Duk-sun's husband to speak informally to her brother NoEul, but Jung-hwan speaks to NE informally already, calling him 'ya!' (like when he handed NE the x-mas gift for Duk-sun).
But who knows what writer-nim thinks :)
Sun
January 10, 2016 at 6:49 AM
I checked the scene once again but it wasn't comics. It was some baduk-related book with pictures.
SonyaK
January 10, 2016 at 9:34 AM
Ooo... The fact that it took 10 years to speak informally, was that mentioned in ep 8? If so, good catch.
jozie
January 10, 2016 at 2:44 PM
I forgot about the brother not being able to speak informally to No Eul. Good catch!
rou
January 10, 2016 at 8:51 AM
guys how many people we know that hattttttttttte interviews but lie and say they love them for the sake of duek-sun how many times our teakie lied about loving something until the show tell us he really hated it. I like JH but since the start he couldn't be oppa-ya's clone because teakie is nothing like chillbongie since the latter was so forward about his love he sucked in things other than baseball but at the same time he was not as childlike as teakie.
Anyways, this episode was amazing and I have been waiting for it forever. GO TEAKIE'S TEAM
Required fields are marked *
17 Mainlykdrama
January 9, 2016 at 9:00 PM
Oh Junghwan. You just broke my heart. I don't think a drama confession has ever hit so hard before. I really want to applaud Ryu Jun Yeol because I could literally feel the sincerity in every single word he said. I don't care who ends up with who but damn couldn't they have given us this ONE moment without it being a fakeout
Required fields are marked *
shai
January 9, 2016 at 10:40 PM
Honestly, I seriously APPLAUD Ryu Jun Yeol for his acting today! That confession was just so intense and sincere, one of my MOST favorite confession ever. Today he was truly acting the essence of Jung Hwan's character and it just felt so god damn real! WOW! I seriously am looking forward to more of his work. He doesn't have many dialogues, but he conveyed so well in what little he had.
Other than that, back to crying in the corner, this episode was just so heart breaking.
Required fields are marked *
Julia Fitri
January 10, 2016 at 6:41 AM
Damn right RJY was awesome in that scene.
I felt it right to the bone. And I'm a Taek fan. LOL.
Required fields are marked *
18 Arti
January 9, 2016 at 9:01 PM
God,where to start?jung hwan now you understand your stupidness...please drama gods bestow a wish upon me....ship JH&DS..I can't take it...deok sun,I can't find whether she likes him or not...taekie can have any girl..please writer stop driving me crazy...HOLY SHIT next week?
Required fields are marked *
19 heidi
January 9, 2016 at 9:02 PM
This episode was AMAZING! Of course, I think they all have been, but this one made my cry happy tears so much. I'm #TeamTaek and have been since day one. I LOVE both of them, but Taek will only ever be good with Deuk Sun. No one else will understand him, make him smile like her, and just be so in sync with him. I'm hoping in Ep 19/20 they show that what we think is the dream sequence actually wasn't!!! I think that would go a long way in explaining why she would be waiting for him in the back of her mind. And ALL of them know he NEVER forfeits a game, ever. So she's also got to know that he did it for her. That's a confession without being one right there.
I squeed when I saw Mi Ok sans braces and looking adorable, I cried when he did. I cried when Bora cried because of Sun Woo... yeah, now please show 2015 with all of them married and happy and with their perfect match so I can be super happy and not suffer 2nd lead syndrome!!!
Thanks so much for this recap!!! My Korean isn't quite good enough yet to get all the details and this fills that is so perfectly before DramaFever subs :)
Required fields are marked *
hana
January 9, 2016 at 9:36 PM
Taek will only ever be good with Deuk Sun. No one else will understand him, make him smile like her, and just be so in sync with him. < I legit have been arguing this point since he said he liked her haha I also feel like their relationship progressed the most naturally. I still feel like she only noticed JH when her friends pointed it out. She noticed Taek on her OWN. They had several moments when he would do something or say something and it would make her stop and look at him in a different light.
Required fields are marked *
moar
January 9, 2016 at 11:02 PM
I agree, I think they're dynamic is so natural and realistic.
What if we saw in flashback that DS and Taek saw Forrest Gump together lol
Required fields are marked *
moar
January 9, 2016 at 11:02 PM
their* gah
Required fields are marked *
Yuki
January 10, 2016 at 3:39 AM
I would also love to see Taek and Deok-Sun together. :D But I feel that there will be a final twist and Jung Hwan will be the one she likes and the husband...I only hope that they show us Taek happy in the end.
Required fields are marked *
20 Pepper Fish
January 9, 2016 at 9:04 PM
I refuse to give up on Jung-hwan!! There's still two episodes left. That's at least three hours of plot twists!
Required fields are marked *
jozie
January 10, 2016 at 2:45 PM
HA! :)
Required fields are marked *
21 Den
January 9, 2016 at 9:05 PM
Got heartbroken last night, but... I'm still holding on to that darn PINK SHIRT!!!
Sky Couple FTW!
<3<3<3 Jung-hwan <3<3<3
Required fields are marked *
22 dramamama
January 9, 2016 at 9:06 PM
Oh heeeellllll no. What the freaking frick frack. Shiiiiiiish. I'm so annoyed right now, I can't even...
Required fields are marked *
23 Addyisvip
January 9, 2016 at 9:06 PM
Omg I kept refreshing n waiting for the recap while watching this ep without subs!!!!
Required fields are marked *
24 autumn
January 9, 2016 at 9:06 PM
I was tearing my hair with Junghwan's 'confession' but then again I am glad that he was able to finally realize that what he needed was courage more than timing. I can't be too angry at him for his procrastination though, because sometimes when you are in front of the person you like, you can just never open your mouth.
Also, how could my heart break even more everytime Deukson looks over the door?
Required fields are marked *
Kiki
January 10, 2016 at 9:40 AM
Oh me 2 but I'm enjoying the pains?
Required fields are marked *
25 Jyc
January 9, 2016 at 9:07 PM
It will make sense if Deok-sun actually chooses Taek, but it will still break my heart. All those romantic build up between her and Jung-hwan before Taek actually came into the triangle race. I know Jung-hwan chose to say goodbye to that damned first love and had it coming for himself, but I know I'll never stop loving and rooting for this guy especially when he was so sincere about his feelings.
Required fields are marked *
Christine
January 9, 2016 at 9:15 PM
If this is how his story ends, it will be super sad.
Required fields are marked *
WintermelonT
January 10, 2016 at 3:57 AM
Yeah, I am and will always root for Junghwan, but man did this ep drive it to Taek territory.
Even though there were Taek possibilities pass episodes, I was always positive it will be Junghwan.
I won't mind if its Taek (Because bless Park bo gum-cutest thing), but Junghwan can you just...ughh.
Required fields are marked *
Miranda
January 10, 2016 at 8:07 PM
I actually wouldn't mind if the romantic message from '88 is that you have to get off the sidelines and act. We've got a lot of drama examples of the guy who hides his feelings and misdirects and pines (and is sometimes straight-up evil), only to have him pull a hail-mary in the last episode and get the girl. But that's not actually a common pattern in real life.
It's realistic for the one who held back to miss his window.
Two guys liked my sister at the start of college. One asked her to friend dinners and did homework with her. The other initiated an evening that involved racing across three states to see her, group date-crashing, and basically putting himself in my sister's orbit with his intentions flashing on a neon sign. He then patiently waited four months after his confession for her to agree (her reason not to was that she wanted to settle into college and not date immediately). Annoyed Guy 1 apparently later told her friends that he really liked her and was working up to asking her out, but I've been celebrating family holidays with Guy 2, my brother-in-law, ever since.
Meanwhile I constantly hear "I really liked you [years] ago, but I never thought you'd date me". What?! I totally would have dated you! Why didn't you ASK?!
Fortune favors the bold! And unfortunately, Taek is bolder than JH, which he admits in the voice-over.
Required fields are marked *
pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
January 15, 2016 at 3:39 PM
I actually wouldn’t mind if the romantic message from ’88 is that you have to get off the sidelines and act.
EXACTLY.
Jung-hwan in many ways felt like Yoon-jae, but even Yoon-jae managed to confess to Shi-won before leaving high school, and that was when she was dating his brother! Taek buried his intentions to confess after finding out Jung-hwan liked her, but that kiss blew it all wide open. And he hasn't really been inclined to lie to Deok-sun out of pride, so that's in his favour.
Required fields are marked *
26 coffeenlucia
January 9, 2016 at 9:07 PM
If only he didn't turn it into a joke.
Required fields are marked *
genuinecity
January 11, 2016 at 11:43 PM
Story of Jungpal's life.
Required fields are marked *
KStories
August 21, 2022 at 7:48 AM
He had no choice when DS did not respond to his confession. She also kept looking at the door for Taek.
Required fields are marked *
27 cupkate
January 9, 2016 at 9:07 PM
Thank you gf! But good God Junghwan why?!!
Required fields are marked *
28 LoveMeRight
January 9, 2016 at 9:08 PM
Am so dissapointed in JongPal. He confessed smoothly then says its a joke?? WTF???? Am going to fly to korea and smack your ass lil boy.
My ship has officially sunk. Although i havent lost all hope...#TeamJungPal all the way.
Have you guys noticed how junghwan is looking MANLY and SEXY ..am burning
Required fields are marked *
shai
January 9, 2016 at 10:44 PM
Lol. Don't you worry! This is what reply team does every time it ends near to finishing. I am pretty sure Jung Hwan is still the husband, they are just putting up the angst level to trick the audience till the very end. (They did the same thing with chilbong. and lesson fully learned from that time) lmao. We are going to know fully who the husband is on the beginning of ep. 20.
Required fields are marked *
29 puppy
January 9, 2016 at 9:08 PM
JH has taught me a new way of moving on, confessing and then later on saying that it is just a joke. The scene is really heartbreaking. I want to hug you, Jung-pal!
Required fields are marked *
random
January 9, 2016 at 9:13 PM
But is that really a joke? Based on what is stated above JH told DR that he did a confession since DR asked for it.
Required fields are marked *
news
January 9, 2016 at 9:43 PM
I agree. What JH said to DR is pretty vague and can swing both way: a joke or real confession (since that's what DR wanted to see). DR and SW just took it as a joke, but I suspect DS believed it.
Required fields are marked *
kbaswithneko
January 13, 2016 at 6:16 AM
It was a real confession. He felt he had to make it even though he believed his chance to be with DS had already passed. He had to say those words to her. Passing it off as a joke was his way of saying he didn't expect a response from her as he believed she may have already accepted T's confession.
It was brave and cowardly at the same time.
I think DS knew it was a heart felt confession. Whether it is too late will be revealed next week.
Required fields are marked *
30 pika13
January 9, 2016 at 9:08 PM
No brooding shower scene for Jungpal? Whyyyy? This is a staple scene in kdrama universe. Come on writer! Do it for fanservice!
Required fields are marked *
KompaktneHaare
January 10, 2016 at 2:49 AM
lol. he got a brooding rainy scene already. Don't think they're gonna do a shower scene on top of that :P
Required fields are marked *
31 elvira
January 9, 2016 at 9:09 PM
Let the frustration begins
Required fields are marked *
moonpetal
January 10, 2016 at 12:05 AM
Lol XD
Yes, it's about time to the end... And the frustration begins.. :D
Prepare your self to cry (or smile?) ^ ^
Required fields are marked *
32 Christine
January 9, 2016 at 9:09 PM
I felt the same way! I was wondering if this was his attempt at closure and getting over his feelings? I was also confused with the way Deok-sun kept looking at the pager and the door. One thing I did notice is that Taek has started parting his hair to his right, but Jung-hwan has always parted it to his left. The husband parts it to his right, could this be a clue???
Required fields are marked *
nivva
January 9, 2016 at 10:10 PM
oh I didn't notice that #teamtaek lol so, im happy
Required fields are marked *
33 katiamon
January 9, 2016 at 9:10 PM
Jung hwan, you dumbass!!!!!! Freaking timing... I'm team Taek but still, i expected JH to grow a pair and say things sincerely and not doing this as a fakeout. Boy, you have earn yourself a big slap on the face.
Only two episodes to go :(
Required fields are marked *
skelly
January 10, 2016 at 8:54 AM
So agree. I'm almost starting to think that JH is the husband, because the Reply team picked Trash as the husband, who always treated the girl like crap, always teasing and manipulating her. I disliked Trash's egotistical behavior and casual attitude just as much as I dislike JH's teasing, manipulation, and cowardice, so I guess that means he must be the "true love." Bleah.
Required fields are marked *
34 hana
January 9, 2016 at 9:11 PM
I feel like they just told us that Taek is the husband. This whole episode was about finally stepping up and not being afraid to go for what you want. Bora and Sunwoo, Jungbong and Mi-ok. And junghwan saying it's my fault for being afraid, all the times he hesitated. The part with the husband in the present also kinda cemented that its Taek, he doesn't like interviews ( which we know he doesn't ) And she's worried about his image. Why would Junghwan need to worry about his image? I think Deoksun let Junghwan go a long time ago, so even though his non-confession may have tugged at her heart I feel like she had already let it go. Like the theme of the episode he was too late.
Required fields are marked *
hana
January 9, 2016 at 9:14 PM
And to add she had mentioned that in an earlier episode that her husband had dated a lot of girls before marrying her. Junghwan said in this episode he didn't date or have relationships because of his career. So it can't be him.
Required fields are marked *
Christine
January 9, 2016 at 9:17 PM
You're right, Dong-ryong talks about how Taek goes on the most blind dates out of everyone.
Required fields are marked *
hana
January 9, 2016 at 9:25 PM
I was also thinking they never really explained why this series is like an interview type story through flashbacks. The only person in this group who is a semi-celeb is Taek. He is the only one that would have a news crew interested in his life. If we had thought it through from the beginning it should have made sense it was Taek. In the first one it was guess the baby daddy through reunion story telling and in 1994 it was guess the husband through a wedding video, this time it's a video crew doing an interview.
Required fields are marked *
Kaye
January 9, 2016 at 10:52 PM
yeah, That I just come to realized from last night's episode. That they let us drag on for 18 episodes. And I overlooked it, blinded by my ship.
The hell to interviews! Taek is the only one in the group getting a headliners. He was always being published in early morning newspaper!
I hate that last night was so unbearable for junghwan's character. They even made him a service at the end of the episode instead of a teaser for next week.
I just need #justiceforJunghwan !!! If he'll not be her husband. Please just let him get the Best Actor Award!
Ryu Jun Yeol made everything come to life for his character. He did great. Even if last night's ep was too heartbreaking. And that I can't hardly take it. Just let him be happy.
Cousland
January 10, 2016 at 2:45 AM
During the teenage years it was always possible that DK or JH got famous later but it seems unlikely now we know their careers.
It could be a misdirection, now we're in the final stretch the writers are going all out AM 1994.
SonyaK
January 10, 2016 at 9:40 AM
She said she is only doing the interview for her sister. It is more likely that Bora became famous and they wanted to do an expose on Bora's family.
Junebug
January 9, 2016 at 9:20 PM
I caught that too!! They purposely pointed out this episode that Taek goes on the most blind dates which could point to him being the husband. I also felt this episode showed Junhwan letting go of his first love just as the title suggests.
Required fields are marked *
Lia
January 10, 2016 at 12:02 AM
So heartbroken... this episode seems to confirm Taek as endgame
*sob*
My poor Jung-hwan!
Required fields are marked *
fika_nofa
January 10, 2016 at 3:45 AM
As far as I remember DS words were more like "you dated many girls in College", correct me if I'm wrong.
Required fields are marked *
Sun
January 10, 2016 at 7:03 AM
She said "before we get married". So this sentence can apply to both JH or Taek.
Required fields are marked *
lemondoodle
January 10, 2016 at 4:44 AM
Unless there is another timeskip and they don't get married for awhile. They are only early 20's. They could meet again in their 30's and finally get married.
Required fields are marked *
pigtookie
January 9, 2016 at 10:10 PM
He's a fighter pilot, so wouldn't he need to keep up a reputation among his peers? We know for a fact the Taek doesn't like interviews, but we know based on Jung-hwan's personality that he isn't the type to like interviews either.
He did date only a few girls so far though.
Required fields are marked *
rhienz
January 10, 2016 at 2:11 AM
yeah, its just 1994 then. and still a long years to 2015
maybe in between junghwan got his careers sky-rocketed and become famous too like taek.
also i notice that the husbands love for comics.
and if im not mistaken, junghwan is the one that loved comics and not taek.
Required fields are marked *
hana
January 10, 2016 at 9:09 AM
watch episode 11, Taeks room is full of comics. What do the guys do in Taeks room, read comics. Junghwan has read more dirty novels then comics in the show.
Required fields are marked *
hana
January 10, 2016 at 9:11 AM
Why would anyone care if a fighter pilot reads comics? I don't know too many famous fighter pilots or people in the military doing interviews about how they met their wife.
Required fields are marked *
SonyaK
January 10, 2016 at 8:55 AM
Typically in drama verse, a kiss seals the deal. So it is hard to believe that Taek is not the husband at this point, but if JH is an Air Force official still, could explain his image, and I don't see JH being particularily fond of interviews either. He is way too quiet to enjoy that sort of thing.
Required fields are marked *
rhienz
January 10, 2016 at 10:25 AM
if im not mistaken, in AM94, Chilbongie was the 1st one to kiss Na-jung.
Required fields are marked *
nomad
January 10, 2016 at 8:17 PM
No, Na Jung "kissed" oppa when she was drunk first and bit him on his lips like a dog.
Required fields are marked *
35 striving8
January 9, 2016 at 9:11 PM
I mean 2 episodes are left! They could show us Deok-sun's feeling for either of the guys now! It's giving me a headache! It has been 18 episodes for heaven sake and I still can't figure out who she is going to end up with.
I mean, what is this? Totally unsatisfied!
Required fields are marked *
36 0live13ranch
January 9, 2016 at 9:12 PM
I watched this episode without subtitle, and didn't understand what Jung-hwan said to Doek-sun other than "I like you". Now that I understand what he said (thanks to your recap, Javabeans), it's killing me.
On the other hand, I'm so happy for Jung-bong. The actor playing him portrays his character with such sincerity that we can't help rooting for him.
Required fields are marked *
37 clairie
January 9, 2016 at 9:13 PM
I think the people who are upset with the possibility of JH not being the husband focuses too much on the shipping rather than the whole story. Therefore, when they didn't get what they want, they blame the writer when the clues were all there from the very beginning. They were the ones who CHOSE to ignore all those clues pointing at TK because they were always confident that JH is the husband. Everywhere I go to read the news about AM1988, it's all about JH in the comment section. It's the same ol' "He must be the husband". "He needs to be" despite the clues suggesting otherwise. Their overconfidence blided them. It's not about PBG's popularity either. As far as I know RJY won every single poll that he's in, including the who's the husband poll. So yeah he's popular too. So don't blame the writer. It's her story after all. The script made perfect sense & this comes from someone who likes JH a lot. To me, both TK&JH had equal footing in getting the girl. JH had all the time he needs while TK gone most of the time for competitions but JH didn't make a move despite knowing DS likes him. He hesitates a lot even when he wants to give the jacket to DS but TK never did. Even he cancelled their date, he still treated her the same unlike JH. Just because he was introduced late in the game doesn't make him the next Chilbong or your typical 2nd lead. AM1988 is not your typical K-Drama. JH missed his chance a long time ago & ep 18 gave him the closure he needs. Although I'm team TK all the way but seeing JH like that broke my heart.
Required fields are marked *
Dom
January 9, 2016 at 10:00 PM
Very good points. All the signs pointed to Taek. DS only ever acted feminine toward Taek.
Required fields are marked *
shai
January 9, 2016 at 10:49 PM
I think she babied taek more than acting feminine with him. Only time I have truly seen her act feminine with either of the boys is when she thought Jung Hwan liked her, though that ended when Jung Hwan didn't reciprocate her feelings or atleast didn't say anything.
Required fields are marked *
lemondoodle
January 10, 2016 at 8:48 AM
I don't think she babied Taek. It's funny that JH's dad cuts up meat for mom, and does little things like DS does for Taek, but people don't see it as babying when a guy does it.
I think she was more her true self with Taek in general. She changed a bit for JH, but remained herself always with Taek. I can't get over these are feelings she wasn't told she should have. If anything, her friend was trying to tell her that Taek doesn't care about her.
Required fields are marked *
june
January 10, 2016 at 2:03 PM
"I think she was more her true self with Taek in general. She changed a bit for JH, but remained herself always with Taek."
I'll have to disagree on this. JH loves her for the person she is if this week's episodes are any indication of that.
Jung Hwan always gave in to her while she had to always do things for Taek.
lemondoodle
January 10, 2016 at 6:49 PM
@june
I know his feelings, but SHE changed her behavior when she was trying to "woo" him. With Taek she was always natural and never changed, so I can see how people don't think it as ever romantic. But in the end, she still felt something for him. They have a much more natural progression than JH/DS imo.
Regardless though, everything comes down to her. I'd be shocked if someone's lifelong childhood love is met with a life lesson to do better next time.
baekie
January 12, 2016 at 10:01 AM
I agree with you. DS does act feminine with TK. For ex. she forced DR to piggyback her to the soccer field but when TK told her to hop on to his back she refuses. She is being shy and afraid that TK might think she's too heavy.
Also the night when she was waiting for TK to return she gets up to greet TK despite her foot injury.(She waited for TK at the same spot before for the pink gloves, but she never got up on her feet.) I think the reason she got up was because she saw how exhausted TK looked and thought maybe he wants to rest his head upon her shoulder again just like the last couple times. If you go back to the scene, she gets up and faces him straight and stares at him. But sadly TK brushes her off and heads home as he already made his mind up to fold away his feelings for her.
shai
January 9, 2016 at 10:47 PM
Sorry, still confident the husband is Jung Hwan. As you said the clues are all there! From the beginning, they have emphasized more of Jung hwan/DS pairing, despite Taek/DS sometimes having more screen time. But, in this case screen time =/= the husband in the end. Hope taek shippers are not too disappointed in the end, I know how that felt with chilbong.
Required fields are marked *
SonyaK
January 10, 2016 at 9:49 AM
I don't think the clues accurately point in any direction. This is one of the very rare cases where both boys have been hitting the drama tropes. JH : alleyway, first introduced, concert date, waking up in his bed next to DS, umbrella scene. Taek: China trip, beach trip, head on shoulder twice, "dream" kiss. There are plenty of other examples for both boys. I can honestly say, I will have been wrong in the beginning if she ends up with Taek, but I will be wrong now if she ends up with JH, and both outcomes are very feasible.
Required fields are marked *
nomad
January 10, 2016 at 8:21 PM
Agreed With SonyaK...the only reason I'm really inclined to say JH is the husband is because of the husband's "current" personality. There isn't a trace of Taek in him. However, when it comes to the set up, both guys are in equal footing.
Required fields are marked *
wien
January 11, 2016 at 6:09 AM
what's future man said and done :
- he smoke
- future DS said the man used to date a lot
- when they dance to a winnng song at 1989, the man said they watched that tv show with the guys, but future DS said he wasn't there when they watched the tv show.. (and Taek was really not there at that time)
- future man said he wasn't comfortably speaking to No Eul until recently
- future man choke quite often when he drinks water
- future DS keeps remind him to wear warmer clothes
- future man hair splits to the right like the 1994 Taek
- future man photo has a date written in it
- future man in episode 18 starts to resemble Taek in behaviour and clothes, and he loved to read comics
Well.. it's quite a lot hints that refer to Taekkie..
BUUUUT,, WHY my brain still saying that DS will end with Jung Hwan..?/*&???
i even had this crazy thought that maybe that future man indeed is Taekkie, but he's not the husband.. maybe he's just visiting DS house as brother in law since Bora-SunWoo finally married..
I'm Team Taek btw.. But my brains still say the opposite..
Skyblaze77
January 10, 2016 at 1:20 AM
Agree! I felt sad for JH (especially with that confession) but I think he seriously has had far too many wasted opportunities already. Even at the concert when he reached just seconds after Taek - his monologue had him blaming the red lights and timing but honestly if he'd immediately gotten up once he saw that DS had been dumped he would have made it to her WAY earlier.
Required fields are marked *
Tera
January 10, 2016 at 8:00 AM
that is what he mumbling about during the rainy brooding scene. He eventually realize that his hesitation is what make things different. Honestly, will you blame things on urself first when things doesn't go ur way. It takes time for us to realize it and JH realize that.
I think he does realize it way back then, but it's not easy for a person to change his personality. and how does he know that his timing is sucks from the beginning? I suppose if he realize that CT is going there, he wont even move a limb and keep brooding and worrying in the theater. That how he is. He hesitates becoz he cares.
Required fields are marked *
fay17
January 10, 2016 at 5:07 AM
@clairie..love love your post.People did not walk the route the stoy was pointing at..
Required fields are marked *
Tera
January 10, 2016 at 7:53 AM
Yes, I focus on the shipping more compared to the storyline. But isn't that just the same? Since i want to know the final couple so much I watch the whole drama without skipping a scene.
But how come is it our fault when JH is so damn charming from the beginning?
I did ponder in the probability that Taek will be the contender when he appear suddenly at the door in the 1st ep. Since, DS treat her differently then, I guess that Ds have diff feeling for him. But as the drama unfold, Jh sincerity move me more. No matter who will win at the end, I guess the audience will always support the character that they like more.
Btw, how can you say clearly that we didn't get what we want at this stage? Even though I thought that JH is finished in this ep, i didn't dare to state it so confidently becoz at the end it will depend on the writer. How can we rely 100% on the vague and similar clues given when the production team earnestly try to hide everything till the final.
Required fields are marked *
Chiisan
January 10, 2016 at 2:29 PM
I love both boys to death and I adore their love and friendship with each other, but I've been on Team Taek from the beginning. Both did not act on their feelings when they learned how the other felt about Deoksun, but Junghwan frustrated me when he hurt Deoksun with his inaction. He could have explained that his hyung got himself a pink shirt, but he didn't. Taek also backed off from the game, but he would never mean to hurt Deoksun that way. That Christmas when he forgot to get her a present, he came out to apologize and asked her to forgive him. He acknowledged every nice thing Deoksun does for him, and clearly she's too precious for his pride to get in the way. He only backed off because his best friend Junghwan is equally precious.
Required fields are marked *
Liz
January 11, 2016 at 8:19 AM
I agree with you
Required fields are marked *
38 Carol
January 9, 2016 at 9:13 PM
1st! Still have to wait to see who ends up with DS. Voting for Taekie!
Required fields are marked *
39 tackykulet19
January 9, 2016 at 9:14 PM
Before we cry a river because of the possibility that JH will not be the husband.
Let's all respect the writers choice and enjoy the show. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter whether TK or JH likes DS. What matters the most is who DS chooses as her future husband.
This is what I learned from watching previous installment is that the main girl always marries the person who she truly likes not because the guy likes her so she will also like him...
Happy weekend everyone!
Required fields are marked *
favesss
January 9, 2016 at 10:00 PM
A very mature point of view. Thank You.
Required fields are marked *
SonyaK
January 10, 2016 at 10:01 AM
Very true. Ship or titanic, this series has been well written and well produced. My favorite episode is still the episode about Bora and the student protests, nothing to do with the OTP. The writer has made great choices and the director has done an amazing job of pulling on our heart strings with almost every episode.
Required fields are marked *
40 sriz
January 9, 2016 at 9:14 PM
*heart breaks ...sniff
Required fields are marked *
41 Naa
January 9, 2016 at 9:15 PM
Why Jung Hwan. WHY? Why the hell did you do that. It's not a joke.
Poor Duk Seon. I feel that she really2 wanna hear the confession from JH.
Required fields are marked *
42 blnmom
January 9, 2016 at 9:16 PM
Oh. My. Goodness. That confession. I think my heart stopped during it.
Then, afterwards, are you freaking kidding me? I don't care at all about the shipping shenanigans but that was TOO MUCH.
THE WRITER IS A MEAN, MEAN TROLL.
Required fields are marked *
43 photoframe
January 9, 2016 at 9:17 PM
great episode <3 even tho i only watched it raw and read this recap, i'm so emotional. ds is unreadable bc they want to make the husband hunt as mysterious as possible and it's frustrating. but we'll see her perspective next week for sure, so yay!
Required fields are marked *
44 stars4u
January 9, 2016 at 9:18 PM
JUNG-HWAN!!!!! How could you break my heart so!!!! He poured out his heart and I died! I came back to life just to die again after they made it into a joke!!!! Don't do that to me!!! And someone better came back to get that freakin ring!!!!!!!
On the lighter note, I loved how Sun-woo and Bo-ra met again.
Required fields are marked *
KDream
August 21, 2022 at 8:07 AM
I think leaving the ring was His way of saying good bye to his first love. DS did not respond to his confession. JH had no way forward.
Required fields are marked *
45 Katie M.
January 9, 2016 at 9:22 PM
This show will be the death of me. I love every single one of the characters so much, it hurts. Its so different from the others, in that I am so invested in the lives of the parents and the siblings too. I cried when Jung Bong got his first love! I am so happy for him! To be honest, I have always thought that Jung Hwan was going to be the husband, because the older version of the husband just seems more like his character then Taeks, so I've sort of been watching the entire show with that in mind, but now? I have no idea. Ugh, I wish we had some insight into Deok Sun's feelings! Hopefully they'll let us know in ep 19 and won't drag out this torture until the last moment. Thanks for the amazing recap!
Required fields are marked *
46 স্মিতা স্মিতা
January 9, 2016 at 9:23 PM
jacket of this episode?
Required fields are marked *
47 Ses
January 9, 2016 at 9:24 PM
When DS kept looking at the door even after that confession my heart just sank. It was as if JH knew all along that he was too late, DS has already moved on...??
Required fields are marked *
autumn0928
January 10, 2016 at 7:57 PM
I'm at the office right now and in between breaks, I remember Junghwan's eyes during his confession and I just want to cry again.
I promised not to be this vested on any drama since I had my heart broken by Chilbongie but I must admit the writer/s are too good at the characters' development that I threw caution out the window.
Required fields are marked *
48 Kimmy
January 9, 2016 at 9:25 PM
I am #TeamTaek for sure but I am crying like baby for JungHwan... Really sad... feel sorry for him TT__TT
Required fields are marked *
49 elric
January 9, 2016 at 9:25 PM
Damn. Never thought I would be affected so much. I've just scan the recaps, and read kkuljaem and NB but damn.
Jung-hwan: It wasn’t the red lights, nor the timing that was bad… but the countless times I hesitated.
Let me cry in my corner ????
Required fields are marked *
50 Paige
January 9, 2016 at 9:26 PM
OOOHHH so that's what the ring represent. I was so confused on the meaning of the ring like 'wtf does this thing mean, did i miss some memo?'. Even without subs I knew Junghwan did take backsies with his heartfelt confession. That was a pull hair out moment. Even without the ardent husband hunt, this drama is still dragging us to the last second for resolution. I love the new formation of Taek's and Sunwoo's family. Jinju has the best of both worlds. If Taek is the husband, then we HAVE A NEW CHILBONG PEOPLE! Junghwan just CHILBONG himself.
Required fields are marked *
Junebug
January 9, 2016 at 9:33 PM
I had the exact same thought!!! He has indeed Chilbonged himself..
Required fields are marked *
pigtookie
January 9, 2016 at 9:50 PM
If anything, I find it more frustrating than the previous seasons that we still don't know who the girl likes at this point. This is pretty much a guess-who's-the-husband game, now that we've passed the stage where the guys give up on the girl for each other.
Required fields are marked *
Dom
January 9, 2016 at 10:02 PM
There have been many subtle clues that DS likes Taek though.......
Required fields are marked *
pigtookie
January 9, 2016 at 11:26 PM
True. But we don't know if she ever got over her crush for Jung-hwan. I really wish they showed us the conclusion of that Taek-Deok-sun concert date.
Required fields are marked *
photoframe
January 10, 2016 at 2:43 AM
there have been many subtle hints that ds likes jh too haha
Required fields are marked *