Title: 18 어게인 | 18 Eogein | 18 Again
Genre: Romance | Drama | Fantasy
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: JTBC
Broadcast Period: September 21, 2020 to November 10, 2020

Synopsis:

Hong Dae Young was a promising basketball player in his high school years with a good future of possible scholarship in college because of it. But, he got Jung Da-Jung pregnant and because of love decided to forsake his bright future even against the will of his father. He and Jung Da-Jung experienced all the difficulties it comes with bringing up twins and being able to achieve their dreams they long for when they were young. As they move forward with their lives, they both experienced frustrations and regrets until Hong Dae-Young was given a very special gift of literally going back when he was 18 and be able to do over again what he missed as an opportunity at that age. However, achieving this will mean giving up the family he built. What will he choose in the end?

Characters:

• Kim Ha Neul as Jung Da Jung
• Han So Eun as teen Da Jung
• Yoon Sang Hyun as Hong Dae Young
• Lee Do Hyun as teen Dae Young | Go Woo Young
• Kim Yoo Ri as Ok Hye In
• Wi Ha Joon as Ye Ji Hoon
• Kim Kang Hyun as Ko Duk Jin
• Lee Mi Do as Choo Ae Rin
• Noh Jung Ui as Hong Shi Ah
• Ryeoun as Hong Shi Woo
• Kim Mi Kyung as Yeo In Ja
• Lee Byung Joon as Hong Joo Man
• Choi Bo Min as Seo Ji Ho
• Kim Kang Hoon as child Ji Ho
• Hwang In Yup as Koo Ja Sung
• Oh So Hyun as Jun Bo Bae
• Lee Eun Jae as Uhm So Mi
• Ryoo Da Bin as Hwang Young Sun
• Lee Ki Woo as Choi Il Kwon
• Ahn Nae Sang as Moon Sang Hwi
• Jang Hyuk Jin as Heo Woong Ki
• Kim Yoon Hye as Kwon Yoo Mi
• Go Eun Min (고은민) as Im Ja Young
• Yang Dae Hyuk as Nam Ki Tae
• Kim Joong Ki as Homeroom Teacher
• Song Yoo Hyun as Seo Hyun’s Mother
• Im Jin Kyu as Seo Ji Hoon’s Older Brother
• Choi Jae Hwan as Dae Young’s Co-Worker on Episode 1
• Jung Hae Kyun as Dae Young’s Superior on Episode 1, 8, 10
• Jang Sung Kyu as Jang Sung Kyu on Episode 2
• Jun Hyun Moo as Bae Seung Hyun on Episode 2
• Huh Jung Min as Ae Rin’s Boyfriend on Episode 8
• Jo Ryun as Dae Young’s Mother on Episode 8
• Do Won Kyung as Dae Young’s High School Senioron Episode 9
• Kim Dong Hyun as Owner of Combat Sport Centeron Episode 9
• Lee Ul as Il Kwon’s Father on Episode 10
• Moon Ji In as wife #1 on ‘Critical Couple’ show on Episode 11
• Heo Jae Ho as Husband #1 on ‘Critical Couple’ Show on Episode 11
• Lee Chae Eun as Wife #2 on ‘Critical Couple’ Showon Episode 11
• Kim Ho Chang husband #2 on ‘Critical Couple’ Show on Episode 11

My Review:

There are a lot of Western and Asian movies dealing with this type of premise and it is tackled in different ways, but, they are all the same, a chance of doing it all over again. At any rate, I watched this K-Drama because I like Kim Ha-Neul and I want something light and entertaining to watch. In the end, I got both.

So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?

(1) I like the main characters and the actors who portrayed the roles, Kim Ha-Neul as Jung Da-Jung, Yoon Sang-Hyun as Hong Dae-Young and Lee Do Hyun as younger Hong Dae-Young or Ko Woo-Young. All 3 provided characters that are relatable and made their journeys interesting. They are great actors and it is not that surprising especially Kim Ha-Neul and Yoon Sang-Hyun. Lee Do-Hyun has done well considering he’s playing with veterans and is able to keep up with them in the small screen. This is more apparent on the kissing scene between Kim Ha-Neul and Lee Do Hyun. Lee Do Hyun was able to handle that intimate scene quite well and make it more believable.

(2) I appreciate the way that they tackle real issues in life like early marriage, importance of education, how people look at you depending on your status in life and work difficulties. It was done realistically with a touch of hope and encouragement that if you work hard and do it well, one can achieve one’s goals and dreams.

(3) I’m so touch with the scene at the basketball court wherein the younger Hong Dae-Young resolved his conflict and relayed his love for his father. It truly made me cry and I believe one of the highlights of this K-Drama.

(4) I like that they tackle the often miscommunication between parent and child and the misunderstanding that this can cause and affect their relationship with each other.

(5) I enjoyed some of the side stories of this K-Drama like relationship to in-laws, the dirty ways wherein one can be given an opportunity in sports, the significant roles of our teachers in our lives and the need to support the dreams of our children rather than the parent’s opportunity to relieve their own through them.

What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?

All in all, this K-Drama is good though not perfect. Like it never really tackled the issue why Hong Dae Young was given the opportunity to be 18 again when so many are in the same boat as he is and helpful as he was. It seems that this magical gift was just done to create the entire story without much explanation. But, since it was entertaining enough and the director was able to successfully divert the main message of the K-Drama towards realities of life, it didn’t become much an issue to me. However, there are moments on this K-Drama that becomes banal and “been there and watched that” so to speak.

Would I recommend this K-Drama? Yes

My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 4/5 Stars

OST:

01. The Only One – Soyou
02. Hello – So Hyang
03. If You – Choi Nakta
04. One Person – Solji
05. How To Love – Sondia
06. Moments Make Memories – Juk Jae
07. Somebody – Clara CYoon Sang Hyun
08. First Time – Every Single Day