Sung Shi-won is no Sung Deok-sun, but I still really enjoyed watching this drama. Although I thought it was quite obvious who the future husband would be based on the casting, I still really enjoyed the suspense. The OSTs were extremely nostalgic and while I am not from South Korea, some items and aesthetics of the set reminded me of my childhood.

Indeed, while Reply 1997 is not as good as Reply 1988, I still think that this relatively old drama is worth watching. Props to Director Shin for being able to capture the emotions of the audience so effectively. There were so many heart-wrenching moments because of how relatable the drama is, and even if I did not personally encounter those moments in real life, I could still feel the raw emotions that the director wanted to convey. The quirky moments were also quite funny and I wonder if "Daddy Long Legs" in Hospital Playlist was a reference to this drama.

My only 'complaint' would be that I hoped to see more on their families instead of just the main couple, but perhaps I wouldn't think this way if I had watched this before Reply 1988. Overall, still a fantastic drama. The Reply series will always hold a special place in my heart.

In summary:
What i liked - set, concept, cast, story, OSTs
What i disliked - could have covered more ground

Star of the show: Yoon-jae (the puppy), Joon-hee (played by Hoya)

Rating: 9.5/10
Watch if you want to cry