[Drama 2015] Answer Me 1988 응답하라 1988

[alleverything]

8 minutes ago, Kdorama_addict said:

i WONDER why some people complains about Junghwan's lack of character development LOUDLY this time ??

he always been (or start to) missing after episode 12.... and or after he knows about Taek's feelings....

his scenes time even reduced after episode 12...

it's not like suddenly he's gone... just saying...

SO if indeed the writers want to change to Taek (for whatever reason)... they changed it early in the game....

 

People have been vocal about this ever since they locked Junghwan in his room to study because the writers cornered themselves with the dumb love triangle. It's not a new development, you probably just never paid attention to Junghwan focused comments before

[Kdorama_addict]

Just now, alleverything said:

 

People have been vocal about this ever since they locked Junghwan in his room to study because they cornered themselves with the dumb love triangle. It's not a new development, you probably just never paid attention to Junghwan focused comments before

 

exactly...

i remember complaints but that's it...

now people seem to think the writers changed everything last minute... but the way his character is reduced since ep 12 meaning IF the writers indeed change her ending... she already done it since the filming /writing of ep 12...

[pacarjiyong]

I dont quite understand abt ppl keep complaining JH screentime reduce. I mean, first few episode Taek screentime even less than DR. i think JH screentime reduce not bcs the writer is cruel.. but simply it has to be reduce to tell another ppl story in this drama. the main character in this drama not only JH, you know. I personally think, the story of JH was wrap beautifully in ep 18. be positive, lets pray JH to be main lead in other dramas and get the girl.

[sljj]

Hi everyone! This is my first time in this thread! Though most ppl are discussing about Junghwan (#TeamJungHwan) and Taek, I shall share a funny scene from epi 19! There is this scene where NoEul is guessing Bora's lover. When it comes to DongRyong, both the mum and NE said it can't be him because he already has a gf and hahaha they described the gf as tall and young! Just like his real life gf! 

[alleverything]

3 minutes ago, Kdorama_addict said:

 

exactly...

i remember complaints but that's it...

now people seem to think the writers changed everything last minute... but the way his character is reduced since ep 12 meaning IF the writers indeed change her ending... she already done it since the filming /writing of ep 12...

 

No because the entire main love line was put on hold. Taek didn't do anything either after episode 12 or whenever

[2505stv]

Sports Chosun - Nate: 'R88', Lee Il Hwa against Ryu Hye Young and Go Kyung Pyo's relationship 

1. [+742, -14] I'm 100X sure it's because of 'dongsongdongbon' (tn: ban on same surname same origin marriage). The Constitution only ruled against it by 1997, thus Bora might file a petition for approval

2. [+661, -11] Why do I feel like it's because of 'dongsongdongbon'.... In those days, quite a lot of couples who shared the same surnames ended up marrying despite the banㅜㅜ

3. [+560, 13] Must be 'dongsongdongbon', right? Sunwoo's surname is also Sung

4. [+122, -1] Jung Bong's present day representation is Baek Jong Won...?

5. [+87, -1] In that scene where Bora meets Sunwoo, the bgm that's playing is N.E.X.T's "For Suffering Lovers" which a song for 'dongsongdongbon' couples ㅠㅠ I'm 100X sure that's the reason why mom is against them dating

6. [+68, -1] Why is his surname Sung as well???? That's really random

7. [+67, -2] Daebak. This whole time, I thought Sunwoo's full name is Kim Sunwoo;;;  No wonder, in the character descriptions, everyone but the Sung family is introduced without surnames

8. [+58, -3] Sunwoo's last name is Sung? They called him Sung Sunwoo today. Feels so forced
 

Newsen - Nate: Ryu Hye Young and Go Kyung Pyo's passionate reunion kiss after 6 years

1. [+1,226, -45]  Why are their kiss scenes so realistic?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅌ Thank you hehe

2. [+809, -22] His name is Sung Sunwoo. Back then, there was a ban on marriage of the same surname and same clan but the law will be altered a few years after that

3. [+754, -32] Ha ㅋㅋㅋSunwoo's excitement when he took Bora's hand

4. [+87, -3] Judging by the way they kiss, feels like they're really dating

 

CONGRATS SUNBORA 

 

 

Herald Pop - Nate: 'R88', Hyeri to Sung Dong Il "We failed to understand that the word 'father' holds so much weight", Tears

1. [+598, -31] Made it even more sadder than everyone's so happy except for Junghwan.... (Sobs)

2. [+642, -85] Deoksun is so indecisive. She liked Sunwoo, she liked Jungpal, she liked Taek.. And Dongryong can't be the husband, right? Ugh

3. [+553, -70] Nothing felt touching at all since the writer betrayed us

4. [+50, -8] This part was so sad but I didn't cry because of how the plot got this irrational
 

 

 

[fnkrm]

The term 'Jungpaled' is way worst than 'Chilbonged'. 

But I am actually proud to be Jungpaled since JH is such an angel. His character is really endearing and I can relate to him the most because of his tough love. But whatever it is, JH ah, may you find a great girl. You deserved only the best!

And thanks DS for giving us the opportunity to virtual date his wonderful man and his yummy lips. *insert creepy face*

Hehehe.

 

 

[DontEatMyKimchi]

Can anyone explain why the parents are against bora and sunwoo marriage? 

not infavor of the noona-and-dongsaeng relationship? Same sung as the surname?? Whats wrong with couple? They are perfectly adorable!

[solelyseoul]

1 hour ago, shooastrid said:

Hi Reply 1988 fans! How are you all? Ready for the last episode tomorrow? I am not  I don't want it to end just yet! I need my usual dose of Reply 1988!!!

As we are easily drawn to whatever caught our interests, I am writing from the angle I love the most: BADUK. A while ago, I wrote some rambles here on the main thread about baduk, and let me quote one part here: 

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In baduk, a good and fair play is most important. It's better surrender than to play until the end, count on opponent's big mistake. A game we won having played well is the source of satisfaction. A victory secured to violating ethics is worth nothing. A person learning to play Baduk starts to need NOT ONLY victories but also good play, as baduk creates that need and it is a source of the need. Practicing Baduk induces not ideal human to behave ETHICALLY. So, it's up to DS now to decide. Besides, love is not a competition and DS is not a trophy to be won. This also what makes CB in AM 1994 fails: his failure in recognizing the depth of NJ's feelings to Oppa.

Now, I am more convinced than ever that the writer really has the spirit of the game embedded through out the series. How do you know? Episode 18 tells us everything. It's an anomaly for second lead to let go of the girl so early (it mirrors the way PD and write reveal TK's main romance arc at 6th episode which practically almost unheard of in Kdrama tropes), since usually they pursue the girl until the very end, often left viewers with a bitter feeling. JH's decision to step back at the end of Ep 18 for me is a very dignified way to end a second lead's arc. It resembles a battle of baduk which was played beautifully from both ends. Remember that in baduk, source of satisfaction is NOT ONLY obtained from winning the game, BUT ALSO from the beautifully-played game itself. You need to behave ethically, in order to play a beautiful game.

To give you context, quite often baduk player is able to tell the result of the game right before yose (end game), due to their reading many moves ahead as well as observing overall situation on board. Amateurs who just started playing baduk, usually carry out the game until tedious counting phase despite the obvious result. It's due to their limited reading ability and the fact that they haven't developed the desire to win a hard-fought game. Instead, they count on opponent's mistake. I believe Ep 18 is the writer's graceful approach to give JH his closure. Instead of prolonging his misery/arc until Ep 20, the writer gives us a chance to experience his pain from his point of view. His desire, passion, love, limitation, strength, and weakness are shown in a poignant way. It is consistent with his character.

Metaphorically, we can conclude that JH finally bowed down at the xxx moves and said "I have nothing", gracefully. No ugly aftermath or childish tantrum shown. That's why he was so casual the morning after his confession, smiling when his parents woke him up. He's come to the term, and very peaceful about it. Baduk etiquette, remember? Even if you lose, you have to smile, no matter how painful the lost is. During that episode, many TK shippers were also touched and felt empathetic towards JH's side of story. We feel it. And I believe this is also TK's answer to JH's resignation: he embraced him, he asked for his blessing.

I also want to compare this end game with another reading I made:

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There are people who question, if Taek is the husband, then why is he confirmed as late as Episode 6? I have my own interpretation for this: In Baduk, a match of unequal strength will be addressed in order to balance the power. A stronger player usually gives some amount of handicap to the weaker by letting them putting stones ahead. The number of stones are varied usually depends on the skill gap. For example, a 6 Dan player can give 5 stones to 1 Kyu level. Handicap system is unique and there is no equivalent for it in other games. The aim is to LET TWO PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT STRENGTH PLAY A GAME WITH EQUAL CHANCES TO WIN. The stronger one bears a burden not to show his superiority but to strain his powers and use all his skills. In short, he has to do his best to defeat his competitor. I can't give an example of a board game which the stronger player has to give so much in the beginning in order to win. Now, we all agree that the writer does not treat baduk lightly, as a mere additional prop/setting, seeing the amount of scenes about baduk and Taek's baduk portrayed in the series. Given the normal Kdrama trope which usually introduces all main leads and their character structures/roles in the plot as early as episode 1, I think Taek's gradual revelation is really unusual. He wasn't confirmed as the husband contender until episode 6. He has been given very limited screen time in the beginning, and his arc is mainly apart but parallel with the rest of cast. Seeing how the episodes fold out now, I think Taek is serving the role of one with upper hand, the stronger one. That's why to give JH equal chance to play, the writer decides to give that first 6 episodes to build a solid base for JH + DS storyline. It's as if Taek the baduk master gives 6 stones handicap to his opponent, and only on the 7th stones, white starts his play.

The opening game that the writer chose is no other than handicapped game. Why? Because TK has the upper hand. I am convinced now after brainstorming sessions with other posters, that DS has always been liking TK. It is apparently connected with her personality and traits. Hopefully @packmule3 can share more of her ideas in detail, hopefully later when she is back. (Seriously, most of her readings are proven correct, it's scary) As she always said, this writer's work should be celebrated above the petty ship wars. Anyway, back to the topic. TK has always been the one that DS looked after and he's her favorite too; not to mention his ability to slay hearts left and right with his blinding smile, courage, dedication, kindness and unshakeable love for DS. On top of that, he's very decisive, something that his rival lacking. If his arc were told too early, the match would be unequal. Indeed, he showed his class through out the game, catching up to the handicap and finally able to defeat his opponent.

I know, i know, love IS NOT a game. This metaphor works in a way but not necessarily from other POV. It baffles me how some people insisted at this stage on who the husband is solely on clues which at times irrelevant to the actual plot. For example, many shippers are too focused on details like comparison between Previous Reply installment vs Reply 1988, Color and Dolls, comparison between conventional Kdrama trope VS Reply 1988, etc. While I admit it's fun (I love over-analyzing Deoksun's baduk shirts too), but focusing too much on those factors at this stage will only mislead us away from the narrative. 

I don't want to point finger here, but let me share my observation of TK shippers' collective culture. Since beginning, we are trained to contest any ideas, even in TK's favor if it does not go with the story. We were not sure at the beginning too, so we tried to be hopeful, yet careful. With each episode, we cherised gradual development of DS's story. We analyse and refute and analyse again (while giggling all the way). We were ready to both swim or sink, heck we even called ourself Taektanic. If you check the TK shippers thread's MAIN POST now, you can see the compilation of theories, analysis, clues, related to our ship. The kind of posts shared there are the ones that make me PROUD of being a part of this relatively smaller ship in number! The kind of posts which make me gushing in awe, giggling like mad, and falling hard for TK alongside DS. 

If there is any input I can give to those who are still unsure, let's try to see through DS's eyes; not the color of her bag, instead, who she really likes. Who worries her the most? Who made her all nervous and fidgety? Who occupied her mind at night? To be honest for me, it's crystal clear after ep 17. No matter which dolls do what, it's DS who decides. Now, I agree that people's tastes differ from one another. But for us, TK shippers, his arc with DS resonates the closest to our heart. And maybe it's not the case for others, I guess we can live with that.

I would like to re-share PM3's posts about Romance Book which eerily came true in Ep 19. OMG are you some kind of FORTUNE TELLER? PS. Before you reporting this post, please note that the "questionable" part has been edited. Anyway, her analysis is too spot on and interesting to be erased just like that, especially now. It's going to be long, but really worth it!

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On the uses of humor.

To parody Jane Austen: It’s a truth universally acknowledged that any woman in poverty of a good wit MUST also be in want of a genius. 

Fortunately, for fellow script-shippers, the writer of Reply 1988 has been endowed with a brilliant mind with an eye for the absurd. For me, humor is the most sublime form of intelligence. But the scriptwriter is handicapped by the simple fact that a MAJORITY of her audience will NOT get her humor 100% of the time. Understanding her “inside jokes” in particular can be very challenging.  Like the “wedding parodies” that I mentioned before, an inside joke implies a shared knowledge between two parties to which a third party is oblivious.  

So let me point out some of the inside jokes as I see them. 

1. Meta-joke:  When the grown-ups were waiting for Taek Choi to arrive at his celebration party, DS’ mom said “The star of the show always shows up last”. True that.  Many people realized too late that the Death Star -- or TaecStar – had been fully functional for a long while. They were caught off-guard because they weren’t paying attention to the script.

2. Story-within-the-story joke. While people were focused on dog/cat/mouse/bullfrog, the titles of the books mentioned in Episode 2 were largely ignored. They are meta.  This is evidence that the scriptwriter KNEW EXACTLY how this story would end even from the beginning. 

--“Officer and the Princess” for JH. He turned out to be at officer in the Air Force. The drivel about the hero’s chiseled chest is a reference to JH’s chest. It was much ado about nothing.  

--“Audition for Love” is for DR. DR loved DS, too. His hair-tugging is a classic sign of a guy wanting a girl’s attention for himself. Also, he was the one who brought up the topic of DS being cute. In Episode 14, when he said “How annoying [that DS liked TK more]! Do you hate me?” he was indirectly asking about his “chances”.  However, he’s learned to love her VICARIOUSLY, that is, he experienced “his” romance THROUGH Taec’s experience. He only “auditioned” for the show (literally, too); he wasn’t the star. DS called the book “weak” and is only about kissing, which could be taken a joke about DR’s porn obsession. 

--“Dangerous Roommate” is obviously for TK.  This was the book that DS hugged and begged to include sexy passages. lol.

The only person without a book is SW because he’s in love with her sister.

3. Meta joke on JH. In Episode 10, JH walked into the wall. Here is how Dramabeans described it:

 They head down the stairs and stop in their tracks when Jung-hwan comes out of her house looking awkward. He stammers that he had something to say to her, and pulls her aside for a chat. On the way up, he kind of gets trapped under the awning and can’t extract himself without looking uncool. It’s so awkward. I love it.

I agree, that was cute. However, it was actually a foreshadowing. He was walking into a *dead-end*. He’d be blocked. 

4. Another meta joke on JH. In Episode 16, JH was working on a math problem. Here’s how Dramabeans described it:

Dong-ryong is the only one who notices that Jung-hwan has been working on the same math problem for days now. He tells Jung-hwan to just move on already, but we know it’s not math that’s got him stumped.

This is a foreshadowing, too. DR’s advice to him was: “Don’t you know the concept of “passing”? Just move on.” Take into consideration JH’s prophecy in Episode 11 that “he’ll be fine on his own”, and his words in Episode 18 to “move on”, he’s not as doomed and pathetic of a character as Chilbongie was in Reply 1994. He was making a conscious decision to let go, and if he was an actual person, and not simply a figment of the scriptwriter’s imagination, I’d respect and support his choice. 

5. DR’s trolls on DS: In Episode 14, DR and DS were talking on the steps. DS asked: “Why doesn’t anyone like me?” DR pretended to see somebody from a distance, going, “Oh! It’s Taek!” Look at how eager DS looked up to find TK.  That was a troll for both DS and the viewers got a good view of DS’ reaction. 

Shortly, they met up with TK. Here’s how Dramabeans described it:

…when Taek says he bought five pies so that they could each take one home, Dong-ryong says lovingly, “Let’s get married.” Taek turns him down, poor thing, but he holds Deok-sun back and asks her to come over for a little while.

This is a foreshadowing, too. TK rejected DR, but he grabbed hold of his choice of bride.

6. The casserole meta joke. As my local newspaper The Washington Post says, “If you don’t get it, you don’t get it.” 

7. “Just kidding” joke. I believe that there’s a bit of truth behind every “just kidding” jokes. When DS ordered TK to “Take it off” and shocked him, I think, she was deliberately being provocative. Her deadpan delivery was meant to confuse him. 

8. Another confusing “Just kidding” joke. In Episode 2, when DS made aegyo to TK and joked about marrying her, she also left TK confused. Most people saw that as “babying” but the alternative view here is “flirting.  Finding an excuse for skinship, like touching a guy in a nonthreatening way, and getting his full attention by smiling widely at him as if he’s the center of the world can be considered Flirtation 101. Also, notice the change of topic here. With the first two guys, she was asking them about her APPEARANCE.  “How do I look?” It was about “Me” and she expected compliments. That’s why JH dismissed her with “I’m late. Pishs off!  In the case of TK, she shifted the focus TO HIM:  When did YOU get back from the tournament. [You] drink up. [You] hurry up and grow tall. So YOU can marry me.

See that? The dynamics are different.

9. A revealing “Just kidding” joke. In Episode 6, DS’ mom teased her about wanting TK as son-in-law, repeating her joke from Episode 2.  What was DS’ answer? She said "Should I seduce him then?" Lol. People who insist that DS treated TK as a brother don’t get this.  "Seduction" is NOT a word or an idea that enters a girl's mind who regards her childhood friend as a mere baby brother. Heck no! DS read those trashy novels in Episode 2 and she knew very well what SEDUCTION meant. ~~Dangerous Roommate, please give me lots of sexy scenes ~~~

When she joked about seducing TK, it meant she saw him as a man, not as a kid. Her joke also paralleled TK’s words to his friends: I don't think of her as a friend. I see her as a WOMAN. However, in TK’s case, he said it resolutely, firmly, whereas DS was joking with her mom. 

Noteworthy, too: DS became defensive when DS’ mom said that TK was into baduk anyway and he really wasn't into girls [meaning he leads as ascetic life, not that he’s gay.] She whined “Why what's wrong with me?!!”  I also consider that an odd response from a girl who only sees a guy platonically. Her response should have been to laugh it off and to not take personally. Compare DS’ sensitivity to SW’s mom who was also teased about marrying TK’s dad. Her answer was the natural one. She laughed away their teasing and said: all thing being equal, she’d rather not marry a bear. It’d be just the same as marrying NO ONE.  That’s the proper response DS should have given: a joke. 

10. “Just kidding” as a blunder. This playful banter about “Marrying Taec/Taking Responsibility of Taec” showed how joking can escalate into misunderstandings. At first she took the joking in stride, even exchanging some jokes of her own. She was feisty when DR said to TK needed a girl just like her to introduce him to hardship. SHE was fine being teased but when SW turned the focus on TK and asked him, “Hey! Do you like her, too? Because you’re grinning there” and an embarrassed TK tried to cover up his smiles by saying “annii” THAT was when the mood turned sour for DS. 

If people noticed, the camera didn’t show us DS’ reaction to TK’s denial here. But the next thing we knew she was excusing herself to go to the bathroom. People naturally assumed that she was upset with DR who was mercilessly teasing her. But I believe that she was upset of TK’s ONE WORD. She misunderstood him. She thought his “no” = I don’t like her. 

That was a normal reaction. To her, after spending the whole day frolicking on the beach together and after spending time with him in China just a few days ago, his joking denial would be tantamount to a personal insult for her. 

This would explain why in the next episode, when they met up again and TK requested for coffee, water and warm water, she totally misread his “running errands” joke [he really wanted her to stay for a while with him and not leave] and accused him of USING her like a slave girl like they were back in China.

11. Absence of marriage jokes in connection with JH. For me, this was a giveaway that he wasn’t meant to be the OTP. Sure, DS’ girlfriends teased her about going out on a date with him, but her girlfriends’ judgment is impaired. None of DS’ family members saw JH as a possible contender. Considering how close these two families were and how JH’s dad doted on DS, the parents didn’t consider forming an obvious pairing between JH and DS. Also, in Episode 11, Bora indicated surprise that DS and JH have become closer. When DS replied that they’ve always been close, Bora just made a face. 

Even NE wondered why the heck would JH give his sister pink gloves. JH had to kick and chase him down the stairs so he’d give the present to DS… which is noteworthy. The Future Husband said that it took him 10 years before he could address NE informally. Taek’s natural diffidence and reserve, he wouldn’t joke around with NE like JH.  

12. Jwi gag. This scene with JH also warned me too that I might be wrong with my assumptions that JH is the OTP. Yes, he might be the leading man, but the scriptwriter might have other plans for him.  

You see, compared to the jwi incident with TK and DR, this did NOT at all advance his case as the Future Husband. It did not link his personality trait to him. What happened here was he had cramps, DS teased him. He told her to stop it; she didn’t. They both laughed. Fade-away shot.

In comparison, with TK’s jwi incident, DS chased after him and DR with the mice. They boys escaped by going back inside. Then, DR grabbed ahold of TK and told him to reconsider his affection for DS. Meaning, if he chose DS, he’d be consigned to a life of “torture”. TK reaffirmed his view that she’s cute. How does this connect with the Future Husband? Two ways: The Future Husband told the grown-up DS to be kind to him because he’s been understanding and tolerant of her. Where could he find a husband like him, he asked. Also, the Future Husband thought she was cute. 

13. Baduk vs Chinese checkers meta joke. In Episode 1, we see JH’s mother move a green piece on his checker board, and people naturally pounced on that and determined that green was JH was color. No. That isn’t the point there, unfortunately. 

The point here is comparison and contrast between Baduk and Chinese checkers. Both boys have these two different board games beside their beds. Baduk = TK and Chinese checkers = JH.  As a game of theory and strategy, Chinese checkers is grossly outmatched by Baduk.  Chinese checkers isn’t even Asian in origin. It’s a German-invented game. Why would the scriptwriter choose such a simplistic game to represent the first lead?  [If it were chess, then yes, I’d consider it an even match because I play chess, @shooastrid. Ha!]  Why would the director make the baduk tournament world so integral to plot, showing us news reports, educating us on its etiquette, etc., if the Chinese checkers guy was going to win the girl at the end? It doesn’t make sense; it’s absurd.

14. The future NoEul joke.  One style of this scriptwriter/director combo is to loop a conversation through time. It was splendidly done In Reply 1994. In that show, the audience see the heroine NJ cleaning up her house. She was looking for beloved stuffed toy. Her Trash Oppa interrupted her housecleaning to tell her that a package was coming and to leave it in his room. Later on, she discovered that he had bought a replacement for the stuffed toy that she had lost. Now, the audience is transported to the current time and they see NJ being asked to pick up a package at the concierge downstairs. It was for her “mystery” husband. 

Now, in this Reply 1988, the same thing happened. There was a loop in the conversation, a time-travel.

In Episode 14, when TK brought a banana to DS’ house and NE joined them, the noona and dongaeng shared a conversation:
DS: How is it possible that you're getting older than our dad?
NE: It's okay. A face like mine becomes younger later on.
TK said nothing but he smiled at DS as she wiped her brother’s dry skin. 

Fastforward to the future, in Episode 8, when NE visits DS and her husband, this topic of aging is echoed: 
DS: How is that you look younger by the day? [addressing NE]
HUSBAND: [defending NE] He finally looks his age, that's all. It took me ten years to speak informally to this punk.

See the connection? Of all the guys, TK was the only one who knew of NE’s joke about his age, because he was there when they had a conversation that his face would sooner or later catch up to his age. 

There’s also the ginseng. The Future NoEul passed by their apartment because DS was giving him ginseng. Back in 1989, DS shared a banana. What’s the connection? Ginseng is expensive, and older people value it because of its anti-aging properties. Bananas was expensive, too, at that time. But they were reserved for children like Jinjjo and NoEul because they were nutritious.  

Contrary to popular consensus, I didn’t invent these details. They were written by the scriptwriter. 
15. the Chocolate Parody.  Take a look again at Episode 16. Like in the Wedding Parodies, there were two things happening at the same time. On the surface, we see DS and DR talking on the bus about how competitive TK was. But there was actually another story unfolding surreptitiously here.  DR said that TK won because he was competitive; he didn’t like to be number two. But there was another boy in the neighborhood who was also competitive: Jong Bung.

This is the answer to the chocolate mystery. “Kim Jong Bung and Choi Tae. Something famous linked these two.” 

As DR narrated the events of the Galaga video game rivalry to DS, the incidental things that were present during that fateful day months ago were being displayed in front of our eyes. First there was the chocolate that DS was eating. 
Then, the 3 backpacks from the students. 
Then, the hotdog that JB was eating at the arcade. 
Finally, there was the jacket that was worn by TK.

You see what’s going on?  JB and TK are "infamously linked" in time not only because of the game GALAGA but also because of the GHANA chocolate. [Check out the word play there too, lol].  

DS did intend to give the chocolate to TK but the chocolate ended up with JB. 

I bet JB learned to write that love letter to Mi-Ok using her chocolate. JB was getting information from DS anyway about MO's preferences, so why not learn from DS how to write a love letter. lol. Hmmmm....I wonder if DS wrote a line as cheesy as JB's "Vienna is the capital city of Austria, but the capital city of my heart is you."  Or if THIS line was actually hers to begin with and JB merely copied it. Curiouser and curiouser. 

JB’s motive for getting the chocolate was implied but not stated: he lost to TK. 

Check out Episode 17, when all four of the gang were on the bus. JB had handed a chocolate bar to DS to give to MO. None of the boys there even did a double-take at the sight of the chocolate. They’ve never received a chocolate from DS. 

Edited to add: And if you listen to the ending segment of Episode 18, at 1:41: 18: you’ll hear DR recounting a story about JB found something in his pocket. “You know, back then, JB didn’t know it was in his pocket.”  With this scriptwriter, seemingly irrelevant tidbits like this one, may become important to the resolution of the chocolate mystery.  

Now, people asked me how could have DS confused SW’s jacket as belonging to TK? Or why didn’t DS stop and get TK’s jacket on their way out? 

The answer there is “I DON’T KNOW”. lol. Really. Literally. 

If you go back to Episode 1, the Adult DS already laid the foundation for her defense. She was going to excuse her mental lapse regarding the chocolate by pleading diminished capacity. She had inhaled the most carbon monoxide so she was poisoned and couldn’t think properly. “Diminished Capacity” 

To repeat my Jane Austen parody: It’s a truth universally acknowledged that any woman in poverty of a good wit MUST also be in want of a genius. 
Edited to add:  This means “Witless girl DS need genius guy TK.”

Anyone else observing the Hotel room scene today?

TK's conversation with DS screamed too much of the Dangerous Roommate references which was shared in her original post few days ago. It confirmed her analysis on Scriptwriter's ability to convey jokes in the most absurd way. Seriously, do you have crystal ball at home or something PM3???? I am fan-girling over your eagle eyes on subtext. Guhhhh...

Also: are you sure only shipping on the script, @packmule3? Coz I think you probably this person's close friend or something

 

Thank you for the most brilliant analysis of what the writer has been planning all along. I have nothing to say except that this drama (despite tonight's ending) has been the most enjoyable, brilliant and nostalgic drama of 2015. And your write-up is just the cherry on top of the cream cake that I have been looking for.  Baduk is the main star after all eh? 

[Kdorama_addict]

4 minutes ago, alleverything said:

 

No because the entire main love line was put on hold. Taek didn't do anything either after episode 12 or whenever

BUT... and I guess this is the big difference..

Taek did not AVOID DS... he just acts as usual... he keeps being nice to DS.... he didn't put a hold to his advances... he just didn't advance more...

ah... this is all the writer's fault really...

[fnkrm]

5 minutes ago, iameatingyourcookies said:

Can anyone explain why the parents are against bora and sunwoo marriage? 

not infavor of the noona-and-dongsaeng relationship? Same sung as the surname?? Whats wrong with couple? They are perfectly adorable!

 

It is because of the same surname issue... 

And also, for Sun Woo omma, it is BR that she was afraid of. Hahahaa. 

 

[crazyoverkdrama]

@shooastrid Your analysis is the only reason why i reactivated my account.  Very well said.

[blue_angel_1004]

I have been vocal in my certainty that JH was the husband. But upon re-watch of Episode 19 today, I changed my mind. Not because of the clues like the kiss in 1989/1994, or whether or not the husband went to high school. 

But when JH described himself jokingly as a 2nd daughter of the family... the same JH who was so bad at expressing himself to his family in Episode 1, I realized that JH had indeed changed through his first love experience and even from the man who he was as he cried in his car in Episode 18. And as bittersweet as it may be, I got that reassurance that he will be okay and he will be a go-getter when his next (and hopefully his last) love come about. Surprisingly, this is the closure that I really needed for him. 

Despite thinking that JH was the husband, I also felt heartbroken at the thought that Taek would lose out his first love. (Between the two men, it really was a no-win situation.) If not JH, I'm glad that DS found her love in Taek. 

I actually wouldn't want the production to make a switch again in Episode 20 after all that has happened, and would rather see them wrap things up nicely for all the families of Ssangmundong during the last 1.5 hours they have remaining.

It was a great journey to the past with them and with you all!!! 

(And now, I can finally return to my normal life again. I've been a walking zombie for the past two months as I obsessed over this drama. Until we meet again in another drama thread...)

If the hubby will indeed end as Taek, this will be the first time in 22 years that I got the end game wrong in a Kdrama. (The last time it happened was in 1994 in the drama Feeling.) Dang, Reply production got me good~~ Keke. Shin PD, I still love you, you sekki! 

[Yesin Lee]

One more clue just for fun! Pretty much confirms the theory of one of the neutral fan here. I read her post and REPLY 1988 is consistent in playing LSH songs. Noticed how they always emphasize Lee Moon Se -JH and Lee Seung Hwan- Taek. Featured in the background during future wife and the husband scene on episode 19 is LSH song "MY STORY."

MOD EDIT: please do not post illegal links! 

[chingu0825]

I haven't watched the latest ep yet but it seems like Taek + Deoksun =  ship has sailed. I really love this drama. It didn't focus on family or love conflict rather it focused on friendship, love and little bit of life straggles. I loved how the neighbors helped each other and cared for each other when one of them needed help and support. I'm pretty sure this drama made so many people who were teenagers in late 80s and early 90s feel nostalgic . Anyways, I am way to happy about these two are getting together as a couple and I am out for tonight!

[melleri]

22 minutes ago, pacarjiyong said:

I dont quite understand abt ppl keep complaining JH screentime reduce. I mean, first few episode Taek screentime even less than DR. i think JH screentime reduce not bcs the writer is cruel.. but simply it has to be reduce to tell another ppl story in this drama. the main character in this drama not only JH, you know. I personally think, the story of JH was wrap beautifully in ep 18. be positive, lets pray JH to be main lead in other dramas and get the girl.

Both TK and JH have had reduction in screen time at times.  Both fans have room for complaint.  TK constantly was away and JH was studying for a good part of the drama.  The cast is big though, so everyone suffers from lack of screen time at times.  

I also thought it was wrapped up nicely.  Is JH over DS for good?  Probably not, but what's he supposed to do?  Cry about it and let everyone know he's not?  He accepted his fate and is trying to make the best of it.  I was glad he was happy and not brooding over his lost love.  Hasn't he done enough of that already?  I do hope for more closure between JH/DS, and hopefully her acknowledgement of his feelings in some way.  I also agree with blue above, that JH has changed for the better, and when the time comes he won't make the same mistakes twice. 

And I'm sure he'll be a lead very soon. 

 

[ctort]

I bet present DS is doing an interview about  2 sisters married 2 step brothers.

DS-TK and BR-SW

[Guest gcey]

You know what I regret the most?

I regret how some -I don't even want to write "Most of"-people forget that this drama was created as a family drama, and all the romance is just a bonus as it is part of life. That the morale story of this drama is to love your parents even more, to appreciate what your family has done for you,to be together with your family, to remember that you always have friends that love and support you, to be ok if you don't have a dream as long as you tried your best in your life. To try to understand what people feels, as not everyone could show their true feeling.

Some people just busy making speculations, creating their own romance story and claiming that their story is a holy great. 

With all these 20 episodes, just because the writer didn't give what you want, you said whole drama was a mess? Whole drama was a failure? That they should create the story better. That they should prove everything because you've got misleading. That you want to burn the writer house, that you want to kill production team. With the whole episodes equal to 40 episodes, is that all you can see from this drama? The romance only?

Are you kidding me?

What an ungrateful jerks.

Do you think this drama could achieve high rating because of their romance story? Hell no.

Do you think many older people like this drama, absorbed by the story, recognize the actor, all because of the romance story? NO.

Hell freaking no.

[Guest ajengau]

20 minutes ago, alleverything said:

If I would have the time and patience to read this thread back (I don't), I would see most of the people who are being all confident and DUH about Taek and DS now. But you were ALL saying "Oh well I know Taek will not be the husband", "Junghwan is the husband but I'm rooting for Taek even though I know it won't happen". The best thing is, you even called yourselves the Taektanic or w/e because you knew it was going to sink. I mean come on.

This is what most Taek/Deoksun kept saying for the majority of the drama, probably up until the 2 week break. I know you're celebrating now, and that's nice. But please, don't act like you don't see where us "aggressive, blind Junghwan stans" are coming from.

If the endgame's supporters didn't see it happening for the longest time, don't you agree that something fishy went on inside that writer's room? Yeah, it was beneficial for you, so of course now you're throwing the "YOURE JUST BLAMING THE WRITERS BECAUSE YOUR SHIP SANK" in our faces. By the end of last week, I already told myself I wouldn't be happy with either of the husbands because the writers just messed it up for both guys. So no that argument does not count.

You can't tell me you guys (Taek/DS) people are happy with the way they got together? Just because there was an intense kiss involved...

I am unsatisfied, disappointed, and dumbfounded. This did not make sense and everyone knows it deep inside, no matter what "team" you're on.

 

"Taek is so adorable but I'm absolutely #TeamJunghwan"

"I'm #TeamTaek but I'm 100% sure that the endgame is Junghwan"

"Tho I know for sure that the husband is JH, I'm holding on my 1% hope that it might be Taek"

"Tho I love Taek so much, this is not even a husband hunting. Everyone can already tell who the endgame is."

Just before that one week of break, I'd been reading these kinds of post like hundreds of times for more than 2 months. Now they're telling us to shut up together 'cause all of a sudden it simply makes sense.

[kaqueski]

Let the fans be, complains, rage, and cry out loud. Because the production team has planned this rage.

I can see TK/DS make sense perfectly and I also understand why there is a majority rage.

If you do rewatch, TK/DS love story are actually very straight forward, the production team purposely using JH's pov to cover TK/DS obvious love story. The 'love triangle' is basically about JH likes DS until he realizes TK/DS liking each other and withdraw himself. This is where the rage come from because the viewers are led to believe and hoping that JH can get 'redemption' and get DS to recognize his feelings in the end. But it didnt happen. 

The only obstacle for TK/DS is DS's late realization feeling for taek lol other than that they get the parents blessing and even JH blessing. The alley is probably more happy about Tk dating DS rather than Sunbora. I can imagine they will attempt to answer all the loopholes everyone pointed out regarding DS/Tk in episode 20. Maybe now we will get to see Taek has been following and observing DS all along (he can even stalk her to the school trip). they flip this pov too late but i will still see the bitterness everywhere.

Which brings me to point that i feel sunbora has another privilege to face with another obstacle before reaching their happy ending. It just shows that Sunbora is the main couple of this series.