Jung Da-jung got pregnant when she was in high school and since then she and her husband Hong Dae-young put aside their passions and ambitions working jobs they didn't like in order to raise their twins, Si-a and Si-Woo.
But now that the kids are in high school, things are really tense between the couple, and after the umpteenth fight, they opt for getting a divorce.
After being fired from his job, Hong Dae-yong ends up in his former high school's gym. He always loved basketball so he shoots a ball and then leaves.
When he's asked for his ID while trying to buy alcohol, he sees his reflection...he got younger, precisely he looks exactly like when he was 18 years old!
Still devastated from the divorce, Da-jung doesn't let it affect her and lands her dream job but she's constantly put in front of difficulties when the higher-ups find out she's a divorced parent.
Meanwhile, Dae-yong decides to go back to school and try to be a basketball ace player again...he ends up in the same class as her daughter Si-a and his plans drastically change when he witnesses how his and Da-jung divorce affected his children.
With the help of his long time friend Ko Deok-Jin and Chu Ae-rin, Da-young will try to be present for his kids and his ex-wife, learning how and when he messed up the relationship with them.
My Opinion👍👎
It took me a while to decide whether or not watching '18 Again' because I've had already watched the American movie the drama is based on, '17 Again' with Zac Efron and, for this reason, there was no point in watching something similar...oh my, I was so wrong!
There are so many things I'd like to highlight I needed to make pinpoints in order not to miss anything, so let's start!
● Whether is working mom Da-Jung, highschool student Si-a or successful lawyer Chu Ae-rin, the women of '18 Again' are some badass ladies!
They're all lead by their passions and ambitions, but they don't hesitate a minute in helping their loved ones or people in need, they're fair, kind, and loyal...the whole package!
● The story is so intense and moving, I cried more than I'd like to admit! The family dynamics are reliable and not overly romanticized (very well portrayed in the last episode!).
Even if it's more or less clear who the female leads are going to choose as their love interest, the second leads are all positive characters and you can't help but cheer that they'll eventually find happiness as well.
I appreciated a lot the fact that the discriminations Da-jung had to fight against because of her being a divorced mom were so clearly stated, it added a lot to give the drama relatability!
● Even if it's a bit melancholic, "Hello" by Sohyang is such a good song and made the perfect soundtrack in scenes where somberness was needed.
● Bing and loud round of digital applause is more than deserved for a cast that really brought their A- acting game!
Lee Do Hyun and Han So-Eun are believable as teenage parents, struggling but also strengthen by their children's daily achievements. I loved those flashbacks the most!
● The comedy side is all on the shoulders of the leads' best friends and they rock it!
● Speaking of which: the flashbacks! I've mixed feelings about those because the ones that ended every episode were really cute and helped the viewer to completely understand the situation from all characters' points of view...BUT I wasn't a fan of the continuous intrusion of fillers during the episode.
One last thing that didn't satisfy me 100% has been the way Dae-young goes back to his adult self, as it felt a bit rushed and random but how much I loved how realistic was the relationship between him and Da-jung when he did!
I'm not giving a full 5/5 because of that but you should definitely give this drama a try, I think it especially fits the festive season we are approaching because it's an ode to families and it reminds you what's really important in life!
Rating: 4¾/5
Ph: hancinema.net
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