europa

-spoilers ahead-

I chose to watch Answer Me 1988 because both its forerunners had a big impact to me. I discovered how much I loved the 90s era, loving their songs more than present songs I listen to, loving their fashion and wishing I received education before the 2000s. The impact is so great- my perception of life changed. I begin to value friendship more (Thanks AM1994!) and I became sincere with my feelings. It’s funny how I appreciated a drama this much because the Answer Me series were like my life teachers. 

I didn’t expect a lot with AM 1988. I barely knew anyone of the Ssangmundong squad, only GKP and Hyeri. I was also skeptical about the family theme drama. I said, “it must be boring.” I was wrong. AM 1988 has taught me so much more than 1994 and 1997 combined. I was deeply touched by the parents-children relationships and the friendship between the teenagers and between their parents. 

Junghwan not able to open up things with his mom and his mom Mi Ran, trying to open up to him.

Taek selflessly wanting his dad to be happy.

Sunwoo’s unconditional love and respect for his mother.

Dongryong’s yearning for his parents’ love and presence.

Deoksun’s care for her parents.

Junghwan’s thoughtfulness and love towards his older brother.

Junghwan efforts to make his parents happy.

Sunwoo’s acceptance to Mr. Choi.

Sunwoo’s cherishing love for his biological father.

Bora’s relationship with her dad- not showy but very sincere.

The three mothers’ understanding with each other.

The fathers’ weird but fun friendship.

There’s so much more honestly. I'm crying as I looked at my self saying, “Do I even possess half of those traits they have?” I’m ashamed of myself, deeply ashamed of the kind of daughter and friend I am.

I didn’t expect to get hurt his bad. I watched this expecting myself to be very happy as this ends. In the middle of the show, AM1988 has replaced 1994 in my heart because of the life lessons. I would have been satisfied if my ship didn’t sink in the end. 

It was a mistake for me to choose an OTP. I shipped SW and DS initially, then jumped to JH x DS ship at episode 4 and then at episode 6, also boarded the Taektanic ship. I was confused until  Taek confessed to the squad that he likes DS. I became 100% sure I’m boarding this Junghwan x Deoksun ship. Maybe I’m a masochist. The time I saw his pained and hurt emotions through his eyes, I came to a decision to support this guy through the end. 

Thinking of his fate still fucking hurts. Everything I loved about about AM1988 slowly disappeared from my mind and my mind instead was filled with angst, hatred, injustice and pity for Junghwan. I couldn’t watch episode 19 and 20 at all. The live recaps already hurt. How much more if I watch it with subs? 

I won’t bother anymore shoving my opinions to all of you on why Junghwan should be the husband. The whole world has said enough. They have already spoken out what I want to tell the whole wide world. Instead, I want to bawl out my hurt feelings... It was so unfair.. so unfair. I felt like cheated. 

How can a fully developed character have his ending like that? I’ve heard there’s no adult Junghwan.. is he still alive at 2016? I want to see him happy!!! I want to see him build his own family.. I want the best for him. That closure was so incomplete... They could have not made it a fake confession right? They should have made it real, let Junghwan tell Deoksun that his feelings were real and that he’s giving up on her. That, I would consider a closure. It seems so half-baked. So lacking...

I’m still hurt by everything and I don’t think this scar will fade right away. Junghwan as the second lead still fucking hurts. The writers fed Junghwan poop all these time. The writers made a fool out of us. The writers mistreated him by giving him lesser screen time by sending him off to Sacheon. IT FUCKING HURTS. IT FUCKING HURTS. 

Junghwan is officially the husband. and I’ve got a convincing proof. 

Junghwan would have pursued Deoksun if he didn’t know about Taek’s feelings! He never thought Taek liked DS the same way he does. Episode 15′s title was “Between Love and Friendship” and it was clear in that episode that no matter how he tries to hate Taek, he JUST CAN’T. Friendship weighed heavier than his first love. (And then Taek did the same too ugh)