Have you watched Reply 1994 (응답하라 1994)?
If you enjoy Korean dramas about first love, friendship, and family, this is one I would recommend.
But today, I especially want to talk about two men: Chilbong and Trash.
They both care about the same woman, Na-jung, but they show their feelings in very different ways.
Which one is the real Green Flag?
I have my favorite. I’ll tell you why in the spoiler section!
🏀Part 1: Non-Spoiler Review
About Reply 1994
- Korean Title: 응답하라 1994
- Year: 2013
- Episodes: 21
- Genre: Romance, Comedy, Family
- Main Cast: Go Ara, Jung Woo, Yoo Yeon-seok
Reply 1994, also known as Answer Me 1994, takes us back to Seoul in 1994.
Na-jung (Go Ara) lives with her parents, who run a boarding house in Sinchon, Seoul. College students from different parts of Korea live there, sharing meals and everyday life.
As the story unfolds, we learn that one of the young men becomes Na-jung’s husband. But the drama keeps his identity a secret.
Chilbong vs. Trash: Two Different Kinds of Love
Chilbong (Yoo Yeon-seok) is a talented college baseball player.
He doesn’t hide his feelings for Na-jung and makes an effort to get closer to her. He is the kind of character who can give viewers Second Lead Syndrome—when you find yourself rooting for the second male lead.
Then there is Trash (Jung Woo).
Yes, his nickname is Trash! Haha.
Trash is a medical student who has known Na-jung since childhood. They tease each other, argue, and sometimes seem more like siblings than a romantic couple.
But they also know each other very well.
Chilbong and Trash have very different relationships with Na-jung, and watching those relationships develop is one of the reasons to keep watching.
The Warmth of the Sinchon Boarding House
In Korea, we call this kind of boarding house a hasukjip (하숙집).
Students rent a room there, often with meals provided by the owner. For young people who moved away from home to study in Seoul, a hasukjip could become a second home.
In Reply 1994, the students come from different regions of Korea. They speak different dialects and have different habits.
They argue over small things, but when something happens to one of them, the others are there.
Na-jung’s parents also look after the students, and the boarding house gradually becomes a home for everyone.
I like this part of the drama because the characters feel like a family, even though they are not related by blood.
A Little About Korea in the 1990s
Reply 1994 includes many things that were popular in Korea during the 1990s.
Basketball
Na-jung is a huge basketball fan.
In the 1990s, college basketball was very popular in Korea. The 농구대잔치 (Basketball Festival) attracted many young fans, and college players became stars.
Na-jung’s excitement shows just how much young people loved basketball at that time.
Seo Taiji and Boys
You will also hear about Seo Taiji and Boys (서태지와 아이들), a hugely popular music group in Korea during the 1990s.
Their songs were a big part of youth culture at that time.
Even if you don’t know these Korean celebrities, you can still enjoy the story of friendship and first love.
Who Will Na-jung Marry?
One of the fun parts of Reply 1994 is trying to guess who Na-jung’s future husband will be.
The drama moves between the characters’ college days and their lives years later, giving viewers clues along the way.
Is it Chilbong or Trash?
I’ll leave that mystery for you to enjoy!
📣Spoiler Warning
The next section discusses Na-jung’s relationships and reveals who she marries. If you haven’t watched Reply 1994 yet, you may want to come back after finishing the drama.
🎉Part 2: My Thoughts After Watching (Spoilers)
Why I Was Team Trash
Actually, I was rooting for Trash, not Chilbong.
I understand why so many viewers love Chilbong. He is kind and sincere, and he doesn’t hide his feelings for Na-jung.
But I think there is something more important than having someone who is always sweet to you.
It is being with someone who lets you be yourself.
There is a scene I remember when Na-jung is lying down because her back hurts. Trash brings her a snack she likes.
It may seem like a small thing, but I found it very sweet.
He knows what she likes without having to ask. That kind of thoughtfulness feels special to me because it comes from knowing someone so well.
And that is how I saw their relationship.
Na-jung could be herself around Trash, even when she was angry or complaining. He knew those sides of her, too.
With Chilbong, I sometimes felt that he was in love with his own image of Na-jung, rather than seeing all of who she really was.
Of course, that is just how I saw their relationships. I’m not saying Chilbong was a bad man.
But for me, Trash was the one who accepted Na-jung just the way she was.
Maybe that is why his actions made my heart flutter more.
And I was happy that Na-jung chose him.
For me, a Green Flag is someone who knows you well and lets you be yourself.
I think Reply 1994 is worth watching even if you already know who Na-jung marries. There is much more to enjoy in the Sinchon boarding house.
Now I’m curious.
Were you Team Chilbong or Team Trash?
Where to Watch Reply 1994
Streaming availability varies by country and can change over time.
Check Rakuten Viki, KOCOWA+, or other streaming services in your region to see whether Reply 1994 is currently available.
More Green Flag K-Dramas
If you enjoy Korean dramas with memorable Green Flag male characters, you might also like When the Camellia Blooms.
You can read my review here:
When the Camellia Blooms Review
See you in the next drama!