[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Reply 1994" Episode 15

While last episode focused on the fuzzy, happy parts of the new relationship between Na-jeong and Rubbish, this one begins to take a more pragmatic view by showing us what their day-to-day life is in the household. I was rather curious why Na-jeong's parents didn't show up in the last episode, and the reason for that is made clear here very quickly. They have no idea that Na-jeong and Rubbish are seeing each other in a romantic light now. Or at least, they're pretending that they don't.

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This is not, however, one of those relationships that's basically fueled by the excitement of keeping a secret. There is, in fact, no particularly good reason why Rubbish needs to be so tight-lipped about this, and it's something that annoys Na-jeong a lot. A lot more than she really appreciates. Most of this episode, really, is just about Na-jeong and Rubbish annoying each other because one of them is always acting cute when one of them is not in the mood for cuteness. It's not much of a relationship- the rare mutual kisses seem to be the only thing keeping it going.

By contrast, there's a much more meaningful storyline going on between Sam Cheon-po and Yoon-jin as Yoon-jin is tossed into the depths of emotional despair by an event which by all accounts is actually pretty silly. It's easy to compare her despair here to that of the Samsoong Department Store collapse earlier in the drama- and realize that Yoon-Jin is much more upset about this much more irrelevant event.

Which, sadly enough, is exactly the kind of statement about youth which rings all too close to home. Practically everybody gets really, horribly mad over terribly dumb things. But that's what makes the entire incident such a satisfying litmus test for the relationship. How much of this is Sam Cheon-po willing to put up with? And more importantly, how much of this behavior is he enabling, and how much of it is clear that while he does have strong affections for Yoon-jin, to some extent she needs to better moderate her behavior?

The comparison between the two relationships is a fascinating one- and yet it's still difficult to tell whether it means Rubbish is actually counted out as the husband. The symbolic meaning behind the baseball is explained- but in typical "Reply 1994" fashion there's so many possible ways to interpret the relevant scene in context of the present day that this guesswork is still pretty worthless. Also, there's good, relevant jokes directly relating to the ongoing dilemmas. All in all a very solid episode.

Review by William Schwartz

"Reply 1994" is directed by Sin Won-ho and written by Lee Woo-jeong-I and features Go Ara, Sung Dong-il, Lee Il-hwa and Jung Woo.