Early Access: 18 Again E2 (Patreon)

E2. This is the drama that I didn't know I wanted, for Lee Do Hyun. Boy is SO GOOD in this. I mean, I'd been impressed with him in Hotel Del Luna, but I'd kept in mind that he only debuted in 2017, and so might need more time to gain more acting experience and work his way up to a meaty lead role. But here he is, blowing my socks off in just the first 2 episodes with acting skill and range that I didn't know he had, and I am loving him in this.

When I'd first seen the casting news of this show, I'd had doubts because in my head, Lee Do Hyun is nothing like Yoon Sang Hyun. And yet, Lee Do Hyun is channeling Yoon Sang Hyun's interpretation of Dae Young is every way. From the way he walks, to the cadence of his speech, to the tone of his voice, to the slightly wild, slightly shifty look in his eyes, to his body language, he just morphs into Dae Young for me. I am so impressed.

The sad wistfulness of young Dae Young and Da Jung, as they struggle to make ends meet as young parents, is so palpable. And it's so very poignant to hear the scenes voiced over by adult Dae Young, who shares Da Jung's favorite quote, "No matter how hard life gets, never regret anything that made you smile." Gah. That pretty much sums up their entire lives, doesn't it? They've both given up so much for the sake of their kids, and yet, because their romance and their children have made them smile, they resolve not to regret anything. That's so moving, and so sad at the same time, because where we start our story, their lives are anything but easy.

I enjoy the fact that Da Jung is good at her job, and wows the interviewers with what looks like an effortless screen test. She's quick on her feet and unruffled in the face of unexpected developments. She's great; I'd have given her the job too.

What strikes me most about young Dae Young, is that he's most concerned for his kids. He has a chance to relive his life and make new choices and pursue his basketball dreams, and yet, the thing that is of utmost importance to him, is being there for his kids, whom he realizes he doesn't know very well at all. Augh. His father's heart really gets to me, in the best way.

I am amused at the turn of events, that Dae Young's schoolmate is now his teacher. That's a nice twist. Of course, this being a drama, Da Jung just has to be Choi Il Kwon's first love, whom he's never gotten over, pfft.

That detail, that teenagers don't tend to tell their parents anything, rings true for me. I don't recall telling my parents much when I was a teenager either. And it's so poignant to see it from Dae Young's point of view now, as he realizes that his kids haven't been telling him their truths, all this time. His disappointment and wistfulness is so raw, I really feel for him.

That conversation where Da Jung advises young Dae Young not to drink or smoke if he wants to pursue his dreams, clearly hits Dae Young with a lot of feels. Their marriage has been so strained for so long, that it feels refreshing and welcome, to have her express concern for him, even if she thinks she's being naggy.

The closing scene, where Da Jung seems to conclude that Woo Young is really Dae Young, gives me mixed feelings. On the one hand, I rather like the idea that she can recognize him, despite the impossibility of it all. But on the other hand, it does seem that she reaches that conclusion fairly easily. But, let's see. Show might play it differently next episode, and I'm curious to see how that goes.