I’ve been doing some pre-game weeks ago and I slowly jumped in on the train of productive routine, but this did not stop me from having anxious thoughts. Since then, I have received assurance that I still have time, that I can finish strong.
Today, I received another assurance. During Fr. Bob McConaghy’s homily, he told a touching story of a couple carrying their cross in this pandemic. He reminded us that God wants to give us so much joy, but there will be pain that will come alongside it. Still, he encourages us to take this cross and assured us that God is carrying it with us.
From another world, Seo Yeji picked a jenga with a sticker on it and picked the mission of a sending a message to herself. She told herself that it’s okay to be exhausted and to struggle. She has Gang Tae and Sang Tae beside her anyway. Fighting!
If we can’t beat fear, we can always do it scared. May this post remind you that you are not alone!
I was one of the many people who only watched Reply 1988 this year. It became my top kdrama instantly because it is a masterpiece. It was a marvelous storytelling of the life of teenagers like Deok-sun in 1988. If you haven’t watched it yet, you should!!! If you have watched it, hear me out.
To be honest, when I first watched this series, I was blaming him for hesitating. I even made a reflection on it. I felt like he did not deserve Deok Sun because he was never brave enough to say it directly. But as I rewatched it, I had my closure. Stay with me for a bit.
There have been a divide: Team Taek and Team Jung-Hwan. I was rooting for Jung-Hwan since episode 1 because of this smile he had when Deok-sun was shown on tv and his reaction to his mom’s attempt to be close to him. It showed who Jung-Hwan is: a guy who has his subtle way of showing his affection to the people he cares about.
Episode 1
Jung Hwan is a friend. He told Sun woo to just take off the latter’s necklace, but when things got out of hand, it was Jung Hwan who threw the first punch. Jung Hwan deeply cares for his friends. When Taek lost in a game, he was the first to arrive yet he knew how to react. When Dong Ryong had to be taken to the hospital, he took him on his back. When Sunwoo was in pain, he delayed going back to the base to join him for a drink.
Jung Hwan is a son and a brother. He’s mostly in his room when he’s at home, but he deeply loves his family. He was bothered when his dad was sullen and did the Kim Sajang greeting to make him feel better. When his mom returned and feeling unneeded, he made sure to show her that they need her. When his brother got into surgery, he was cool but he was deeply concerned. When his mom was on menopause, he made use of what he had and gave his parents a proper wedding picture (+ reception thanks to Dong Ryong!)
Jung Hwan likes Deok sun. He acts all tough, but he has his cute moments when he could not hide liking her.
L: When Bora tutored the squad R: When he saw Dong Ryong and Deok Sun alone together
He liked here quietly. He stayed up when she hasn’t come home and he smiled at the sight of her just enjoying the music on their ride home.
Jung Hwan is a friend and a son before he is anything else. He is not a coward, he just had other priorities. He took a step back when he thought Sun woo liked Deok sun. He took a step back when he knew Taek likes her. He could have went to that concert’s entrance too and made Deok Sun choose, but he never did. I know that we had at least a bit of hope when he confessed and quick to hate him when he took it back.
But you should have stayed on. He saw Deok Sun subtly waiting for Taek and he knew. He quietly accepted defeat and kept he pain inside.
The eyes never lie
Despite the pain, Jung Hwan was able to move forward and be happy for his friends. His first love may not have worked out, but he is still happy. You don’t have to win in love to be happy, because romantic love is not the only thing important in life.
Whoever needs to read this, I hope you find the love that you need in your life.
P.S. There are lots of times when he did not hesitate. This one’s my favorite:
The rest of his non-hesitant actions (on top of my head) were: taking a picture together at the concert, the pink gloves and when he asked her not to go on that blind date (hajimaaaa)
Thank you Shin PD and Writer Lee and the rest of production team for Reply 1988.
Babble Away 