KBS adapts 1970s youth story Lingerie Girls' Generation

85 July 25, 2017August 10, 2017

KBS adapts 1970s youth story Lingerie Girls’ Generation

by girlfriday

Ooh, a throwback youth drama? You know how much I love those. KBS is currently considering an adaptation of the novel Lingerie Girls’ Generation as their next Monday-Tuesday drama following School 2017 this fall, which makes me excited at the prospect of going from high school drama to high school drama, just backwards in time. Lingerie Girls’ Generation is a 2009 novel by Kim Yong-hee, about a girls’ high school set in 1970s Daegu. I’m hoping that means it could be another Answer Me or Sunny, with thick regional accents and waves of nostalgia in the form of embarrassing fashions and old pop songs.

The coming-of-age novel is about the chaotic adventures of a group of teenage girls, led by the second daughter of the family who owns the local toy factory. She’s a cheerful eighteen-year-old who doesn’t do so well with studying or tests, and though her teachers try to control her, she continues to rebel. Just like other girls her age, she likes pop music and spends class daydreaming, and falls in love at first sight.

Then one day, a transfer student from Seoul joins their class and becomes the center of attention, creating jealousy and friction among the heroine and her friends. It’s the story of their growing friendship, as the heroine and the new girl start to bond despite the initial rivalry. Aw. There’s also a darker side to the story, with a mystery surrounding an increasing number of sexual assaults in the city. And at the local toy factory, female workers begin disappearing one by one…

The novel is known for depicting the era with loving detail, as the setting is drawn from the author’s personal youth, and it’s said to accurately portray the feelings and consciousness of young women of that time, as well as the social oppression that they experienced. Man, I am SO ready to love this drama.

Directing will be PD Hong Seok-gu of Perfect Wife and Golden Cross, and writer Yoon Kyung-ah of Perfect Wife, Please Mom, Medical Top Team, and God of Study will pen the adaptation. Lingerie Girls’ Generation is looking at the September Monday-Tuesday slot following School 2017.

Via IS Plus

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1 vannerie

July 25, 2017 at 8:13 AM

Ooh. Rebel at a girl's school with social commentary and a mystery on the side.

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2 oosiee

July 25, 2017 at 8:14 AM

story material...SOLID!
pd+writing credits..meh!!
*in-despair*

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greenfields

July 25, 2017 at 8:17 AM

Oh no about the PD and writing credits. I haven't seen any of the shows mentioned so I wasn't able to tell. :(

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juniper

July 25, 2017 at 9:37 AM

The PD isn't all bad--I haven't seen any of his full length stuff, but he's done some very good Drama Specials. He directed For Her Son, which was pretty decent, and he did a good job collaborating with Noh Hee-kyung on Red Candy, no mean feat.

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dopefish

July 25, 2017 at 2:47 PM

I agree with you on the PD. His drama specials have been quite good. He did a very good job with "Kyung-Sook, Kyung-Sook's Father (My Dad Loves Trouble)" and "Red Candy."

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juniper

July 25, 2017 at 7:09 PM

Wow, I didn't realize he did My Dad Loves Trouble as well. I haven't been able to find it subbed, but I've read so many good things about it.

Too bad the writer doesn't seem too promising :(

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dopefish

July 25, 2017 at 7:37 PM

I watched "My Dad Loves Trouble" last September. Someone posted the raw videos on YouTube last year.

Search "경숙이 경숙아버지." It's the first thing that pops up. I downloaded the videos and used the WITHS2 subtitles from their website. I think the subtitles are also on d-addicts. It's under "Gyeongsuk, Gyeongsuk's Father" The subtitles sync perfectly with the videos. I think you'll like it.

kiara

July 25, 2017 at 9:02 PM

Can you still use WITHS2 subtitles ? I can't seems to get it to work.
I want to finish "Im Kkeok-jeong" so bad.

juniper

July 25, 2017 at 10:57 PM

dopefish--omg I love you thank you so much!! (sorry, don't mean to be creepy haha)

kiara--It wasn't working for me for a while, but I've had more luck with the WITHS2 website lately. Have you tried recently?

juniper

July 25, 2017 at 11:16 PM

Kiara--Have you tried subscene? I checked and they have the complete set of WITHS2 subs for Im Kkeok Jung (besides 31-34, which WITHS2 is also missing).

dopefish

July 25, 2017 at 11:34 PM

@kiara

For WITHS2 subtitles. I went on their website and downloaded them. I never had a problem with them.

Regarding "Im Kkeok Jeong," do you have an Avistaz account? I just checked there today and the subtitle on file is complete with the missing episodes 31-34 subbed by WITHS2.

kiara

July 26, 2017 at 12:04 AM

@juniper
Yes I did but no luck :(. I'll try again tomorrow. Maybe the problem is at my end.

@dopefish
Thank you! I'll try with the Avistaz account so I can get the missing episodes.

I wish X kept all the shows that he subbed. I'd even pay to watch them.

nologin

July 25, 2017 at 1:56 PM

At least the writer has exprience writing a high school drama. God of Study is pretty good. It's better than School 2017.

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Ga

July 25, 2017 at 9:04 PM

Is it? I mean, is School 2017 that worse? -I am about to watch it today-

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Mariah

July 26, 2017 at 6:05 AM

Didn't see God of Study, but Perfect Wife started rough and then got pretty great. The writer really showed a deft hand with showing the complicated miasma of female friendship, which I think bodes well for this show. And that was one really freaking great lady villain. Medical Top Team though... Ouch. I didn't know they were written by the same person, and I find it really surprising.

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boomboompow

July 25, 2017 at 11:40 PM

I am more worried about the casting, it sounds like idol territory.

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dee

July 26, 2017 at 12:23 AM

I've already smell idols here

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Aera

July 26, 2017 at 1:15 PM

Why do I smell Kim Yoojung and talented new actress XD
It's such a intensive plot, I think it requires a decent acting skill and it fits Yoojung's age, KBS has tried to cast her in school2017 before.

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3 greenfields

July 25, 2017 at 8:15 AM

Whoa. I'm loving the sound of this! Can't wait for more news about the writer, PD, cast and of course, the plot itself. Unless there's some major twisting of the original story, I'll most definitely be tuning in.

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4 deegee

July 25, 2017 at 8:18 AM

Whoa, this is giving me some Sunny flashbacks. *feeeeeeeeeels*

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Ek Ladhki Thi

July 25, 2017 at 1:10 PM

I was a sobbing mess all through Sunny. I love that movie so damn much.

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5 fay17

July 25, 2017 at 8:30 AM

This really sounds like a solid story! See why can't they adapt more fictions, I'm sure Korea has lots of renowned writers and award winning stories to tell. A lot better than those dramas which are full of fluff and lacks originality.

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kabsy

July 25, 2017 at 11:50 AM

Yes, yes and yes, Korea has produced many great writers, it would be interesting to see an adaption of Please look after my mother or The Vegetarian. I am quite excited for this adaption. My September will be full of dramas now.

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fay17

July 25, 2017 at 12:10 PM

Thank you for the names! I will try to look these up, I was just going to restart watching dear my friends, and dramas like these always are interesting to watch, since you get to see real glimpses of korea here. Especially after secret forest I am more into realistic stories than chaebol dramas lol.

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juniper

July 25, 2017 at 7:13 PM

I read The Vegetarian a couple months ago and it seriously messed me up (in a good way). I can't even imagine what it would look like in kdrama form lol.

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dopefish

July 25, 2017 at 8:34 PM

It's too bad that a lot of Korean literature isn't really translated. I know there is a huge backlog of Korean stories that haven't been translated. Especially the multi-volume epics that are considered must-read for Koreans, such as "Taebaek Mountains" and "Land."

Most of the book adaptations have been turned into movies. However, some of the older dramas were adapted from some books. The drama, "Eyes of Dawn" was based on a multi-volume epic. Lee Chang Dong's movie, "Secret Sunshine" is an adaptation of a short story by Yi Chong Jun, "The Abject," which is translated.

Check out the works of Yi Chong Jun and Yi Mun Yol. These two have several movie adaptations of their works and are considered classic authors of Korean literature. Some of their works have been translated. Check out "Seopyeonje" by Yi Chong Jun and "Our Twisted Hero" by Yi Mun Yol. These are translated.

(Sorry for the wall of text, I didn't mean to go on a rant about books).

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kiara

July 25, 2017 at 9:07 PM

I'd love to read "Land" and watch the drama too but can't find it anywhere.

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fay17

July 29, 2017 at 11:44 AM

@dopefish I saw your post just now! Don't say sorry at all, it should be me saying sorry for missing out on the recommendations! I will definitely look up the names. I mean I don't have many original fictions in English in my hand anyway these days, so maybe Korean versions are the one I'm looking for . Especially if there are more in-depth Korean drama/romance version available in books. Thank you so much!

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dopefish

August 23, 2017 at 9:19 AM

Just seeing this reply after a month. The books I recommended aren't really romance if that's what you're looking for. "Our Twisted Hero" is about school bullying and is an allegory of the military dictatorships of Korea. "Seopyeonje" is about a family of Pansori singers struggling to adapt to the changing modernization of Korea after the Korean War.

For romance, I know that "Coffee Prince" and "Personal Taste" were based on books. I'm not sure if these books were translated to English. "My Name is Kim Sam Soon" is based on an internet novel. It does have a translation. The movie "Maundy Thursday" is based off of Gong Ji Young's book, "Our Happy Time," which is translated. I believe this one is a sadder romance story.

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fay17

August 28, 2017 at 2:51 AM

@dopefish If the names you mentioned have an English translation available, I don't mind at all. I am much interested in original books from countries I am interested at, so this seems appropriate to me.
Ah, 'personal taste' was based on a book? Interesting! I loved the traditional house they used as the place for the female lead's home, and Personal Taste, all in all, was a sweet, feel good drama. I have watched my name is Kim sam soon too, and the richness of the story was really something that you don't see in kdramas a lot. Thanks for taking the time for sharing the references!

6 Junie Bug

July 25, 2017 at 8:35 AM

Woahkay, this seems like an interesting and solid story. I love coming-of-age stories, high school stories, and mystery/thrillers so I'm immediately attracted to the bright light lol

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7 C

July 25, 2017 at 8:35 AM

Can we have kim yoo jung and kim sae ron as lead please. They would be the perfect enemy couple.

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tami

July 25, 2017 at 9:42 AM

Yes. Oh my god i can imagine that.
Kim Yoo Jung and Kim Sae Ron are bestfriend in real life too ❤

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Mila

July 25, 2017 at 8:38 PM

Can we please get past the Kim's and give a chance to other extremely talented child actors. Jung Da Bin and Seo Shin Ae are so far behind and are so much better. I want them for this drama.

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kiara

July 25, 2017 at 8:50 PM

I agree that Seo Shin-ae is so far behind but I don't think she is so much better than Yoo-jung.
Sae-ron, maybe if we are talking dramas but Sae-ron does well in her films though.

I would love to see Shin-ae more. Jung Da-bin is a hit and miss for me.

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

July 25, 2017 at 9:23 PM

I love Jung Da Bin but so far she hasn't really showcase her actual acting skill. She was pretty much wasted in Rebel and she was also just a bratty sister in My Sassy Girl. I'm looking forward to see more of her and she better step up her game now, otherwise she might be forgotten after few years especially with the fierce competition from rookies and idols. It will be great to see the established Kims, but I want to see the other talented child actressess to get more spotlight such Shin-ea, Jung Da Bin and Jin Ji Hee (too bad she is currently in Unni Is Alive).

Aera

July 26, 2017 at 1:28 PM

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Aera

July 26, 2017 at 1:46 PM

Omg that would be lit! Any talented actress is ok. I'm so hyped for this plot. // I'm low-key cheer for YoojungxBogum coz bogum has been wanted to play school drama and this would be a good chance! And yoojung's age also fit and KBS has tried to cast her in school2017 before too ? But the thing is male's role here seems to don't have much screentime (it seems to focus on females) so maybe bogum won't join? But maybe we can get Kim Minjae? Love his acting in Goblin, because it's first time, Perserverance Goo haera ? And if it turns out that the male lead is the suspect, that would be even more interesting! and I love seeing minjae in badboy role too ☺️ His gaze is ?

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kiara

July 25, 2017 at 8:44 PM

I believe Yoo-jung is currently playing Ann Putin in "The Crucible" (musical) which explains why she has been turning down offers.

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Elle

July 25, 2017 at 10:58 PM

Yoo-jung was part of her school's production of The Crucible, but it was a limited engagement (3 nights I think) earlier this year. She's focusing on graduating, so it's probably the main reason why she's rejecting offers. That, and the pressure to find a worthy follow-up project to Moonlight. Bo-gum has been rejecting projects left and right for similar reasons.

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kiara

July 25, 2017 at 11:51 PM

Thanks Elle <3.

Moonlight was popular but far from being her best work. If she wasn't in it I wouldn't have watched it.

She can afford to pick and choose so I hope her next project would be worthy of her talents.

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Elle

July 25, 2017 at 10:59 PM

Yoo-jung and Sae-ron would be perfect for this! I'd love to see their real-life girl friend chemistry onscreen, and both girls are the right age too.

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DarkViolet

July 26, 2017 at 12:47 AM

Yes, i want m Yoo Jung in female centric drama. But seems like she's busy with her school life :'))

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8 hannaehh

July 25, 2017 at 8:41 AM

This sounds interesting though I was a lil bit upset when I read there's a darker side of this story. I know it's supposed to make the show more interesting, with mystery and crime to solve, but I hope it won't ruin the drama. I hope that it'll be a subplot which is just to spread awareness on sexual assault. As much as I love high school drama and I'm already excited for this, I can't help but wondering what happened to Seo Kang Joon's drama? I thought Are You Human Too will air after School 2017? I think this news is kinda short noticed by KBS, and I just hope that they'll find great casts for this drama.

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whoopeeyoo

July 25, 2017 at 9:15 AM

That's my worry too. Isn't Are You Human Too the next drama after School 2017? I'd like to see this drama but I'm already excited for Are You Human Too! Huhuhu is it gonna be pushed back?!?!

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fay17

July 25, 2017 at 9:44 AM

'Are you human too' has been postponed to the end of 2017. So worry not, it has not been shelved or anything.

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hannaehh

July 25, 2017 at 9:55 AM

Ahh I hate it when drama got postponed. But I remember that MBC will also have robot drama in Nov, so I'm not sure if it's a good thing to have two robot dramas around the same time.

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toramona

July 25, 2017 at 10:22 AM

phew. Maybe they realized they need a bit more time with it? Glad it's going to still happen!

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whoopeeyoo

July 26, 2017 at 4:20 AM

Oh, that's so sad. But at least it's not shelved! Whew. Thanks for the info!

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fay17

July 25, 2017 at 11:42 AM

I searched about the novel on google, and there is this site called koreanliteraturenow which has a review of the book, sounds quite good to me, almost like another anne of green gables? Though there are some heartbreaks involved and I don't want to add spoiler here, but it's going to be interesting I think. Now don't know if they will change the plot.. to make it more sweet cute. I hope not.

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kabsy

July 25, 2017 at 12:15 PM

Thank you for the website, it does sound really interesting and definitely I hope they do not try and sweeten it. I hope for it to remain an examination of female friendship and the time.

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9 heyitschristina

July 25, 2017 at 8:45 AM

Well if it's the PD of Perfect Wife, we know he's definitely good at creating the low key creepy vibe which would be good for the mystery/darker side of this drama

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10 Kudo Ran

July 25, 2017 at 8:46 AM

This sounds promising : friendship, first love & jealousy, mysterious crime ! I'll check it out it'll be the first drama set in the 1970s I watch :)

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11 Fatcat007 (Kitty 💜)

July 25, 2017 at 8:47 AM

Aww. I've done my entire school education in a girl's school, so I'm really looking forward to it, bonding-rivalry & all.
The darker side of the plot worries me a bit though ?

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12 ⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

July 25, 2017 at 9:11 AM

LOL when I read at Naver earlier today, I thought my Naver translation was wrong ? This sounds to be potentially to be a good drama, and of course I'm curious who gonna be the casts.

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13 mango

July 25, 2017 at 9:12 AM

The transfer student gives Sunny vibe. I'm digging girl friendship and mystery !

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14 Ahj ❤ ❥ ♡ ♥ ღ

July 25, 2017 at 9:27 AM

"It’s the story of their growing friendship, as the heroine and the new girl start to bond despite the initial rivalry."

This is quite similar to the story of me and my bestfriend but I'm the who transferred in our school and we don't own a local toy factory. Lol

Please make it happen! I'll surely watch this.

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15 fay17

July 25, 2017 at 9:45 AM

I would really love to see se jong's best friend on school 2017 as the protagonist here lol. She's so cute!

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

July 25, 2017 at 11:25 AM

She is! i think her name is Park Se Wan or something like that. I first saw her in Radiant Office and her name in this drama is Kkot Bi, so I'll forever call her with this name ?

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fay17

July 25, 2017 at 11:38 AM

You can tell that she's a natural actress! I adore her and the way she speaks! Kkot Bi suits her hehe. I love her with the guitarist guy, hope they get more screen time in future!

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16 DarkViolet

July 25, 2017 at 9:46 AM

Please cast someone in her teen days not a 25 years old lady -_-
Kim Sae Ron, Jin Ji Hee, Kim Yoo Jung, Park Shi Eun or Kim Hyang Gi ❤

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kiara

July 25, 2017 at 9:14 PM

Kim Hyang-gi is my baby <3.

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DarkViolet

July 26, 2017 at 12:37 AM

She is my baby tho.
She's so underrated ?

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kiara

July 26, 2017 at 6:43 AM

If they bring back all the child actors from "Queen's Classroom" I won't complain.

Hang-gi is still active but mostly in films. I think it works out for her schedule since she is still in school.

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DarkViolet

July 26, 2017 at 9:40 AM

Yes, Kim Hyang Gi, Kim Sae Ron, Kang Chan Hee but sadly Lee Young Yoo join Idol School, another survival program from Mnet :')).
But sincerely wish they are not cast an idol please not.

17 mk

July 25, 2017 at 10:11 AM

YESSSS my big disappointment with School 2014 was the hyperfocus on the bromance, which lessened the female students' roles. Give us the girlfriends!

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18 merisoo

July 25, 2017 at 10:12 AM

Oh wow, this sounds right up my alley. A female-centric cast filled with strong relationships and an enemies-to-friends arc? With a mystery undertone? Here for it x1000.

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19 m g

July 25, 2017 at 10:15 AM

woahhh i'm super hyped for this!!
i'm excited to hear about the cast!

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20 Thaisfrede

July 25, 2017 at 10:16 AM

I'm sold..... period..

Story of friendship between women, the most common one is bromance + the fact as they put it in the report.
"(..) accurately portray the feelings and consciousness of young women of that time"

I love strong female characters ans hers struggle in society

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21 chingu

July 25, 2017 at 10:18 AM

OooooOoooooo000Ooooohhhhh~ YES. This sounds like a lot of good, heartwarming fun. I absolutely love and adore the Answer Me series and Sunny, the movie, so if this turns out to be anything like those two, I'm sold. I mean, I'm already sold on the premise, but if it manages to have the same nostalgic, real and raw, and overall feel-good vibes, then I'm all in.

But aw man, the darker side of the story is certainly... dark. It's sad, too. I look forward to see what the tone of this drama will be because I'm all in for the friendship, love, realness, feel-good, and throwback nostalgia, but the dash of serious mystery is kinda throwin' me off.

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22 toramona

July 25, 2017 at 10:32 AM

Super stoked! Time travel without the time travel!
I'm here for some more dialect appreciation, period clothing, 70's pop culture, beautiful landscapes/cityscapes, enemies to friends, coming of age, exploration of sexual assault issues, and really all of it. Crossing my fingers that it turns out as awesome as it sounds!

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23 Sky robot

July 25, 2017 at 10:59 AM

Kim so Hyun! She recently talked about wanting to play bright characters !!!!!

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24 gem28

July 25, 2017 at 11:11 AM

Please no popular Idol....I want solid, capable actors

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

July 25, 2017 at 11:22 AM

It is likely to happen. hmm..

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25 Pickwick12

July 25, 2017 at 12:45 PM

Sounds hugely fun!

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26 michyeosseo

July 25, 2017 at 1:29 PM

*minion voice* AHHHHHHH

I still have a love-hate relationship with the Miss Perfect team and it's yet another KBS project but I am cautiously elated for a female-centric piece a la Sunny. May you cast well. Gimme~!

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27 Sailor Mars

July 25, 2017 at 2:12 PM

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28 nitricapple

July 25, 2017 at 5:23 PM

Is it too much to hope that this goes through and that Kim Joo Yung takes the lead role?

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29 Katy

July 25, 2017 at 6:05 PM

Hoping this could be a comeback for Yoojung. I've been dying to see her in a new drama and was so sad she rejected School 2017.

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30 Kender

July 25, 2017 at 8:05 PM

Okay, this sounds awesome. I just hope they get lots of fresh young faces for this and don't load it up with too many twenty-somethings or idols.

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Mila

July 25, 2017 at 8:39 PM

Yes please! Rookie actors and neglected child actors for this! Don't pick popular faces KBS!

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31 h2ogirl

July 25, 2017 at 10:02 PM

Ooooh, gimme!

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32 Syaina

July 26, 2017 at 12:41 AM

Isn't that too much i hope Kim Yoo Jung, Jin Ji Hee and Kim Hyang Gi and other child actors like Park Gun Tae, Park Ju Bin and Seo Young Joo cast in this drama???
I really like child actors btw haha.
And please don't cast idol who can't act -_-

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33 songsong

July 26, 2017 at 3:39 AM

......and please no idols. I hope they cast good actresses.

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34 gina

July 26, 2017 at 6:35 AM

The story is good, but the cast will 100% be idol-filled, so it's a pass from me. I wish k-dramas would actually hold auditions for once and cast actual trainee actors or someone who has at least had some acting classes, but alas not gonna happen...

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