Notes
Lines like, "Why would I want to marry an old nerd like you?!" completely charmed me, right from the first episode. There’s nothing forced or philosophical about this dialogue, it’s just natural, sweet, and surprisingly witty when it wants to be--"Why are you stopping me from using the bathroom when this building was built with taxes paid by citizens?" The conversations are all concise, with minimal repetition, and every line is straightforward.
This score might shock some, since the most common criticism of Sweet 18 is how sloooooow it is. But I honestly don’t know what everyone is smoking--90% of K-dramas are slower than Sweet 18. The main couple is married by episode 4, in love by episode 9, and the confessions are out and about at episode 12. Show me
one K-drama where those mile markers happen as fast.
This is a show completely made up of stock characters, no doubt about it. The funky, spunky heroine, the accomplished and outwardly stiff (but deep down we all know he’s a complete softie) hero, the meddling ex-girlfriend, the sister-in-law from hell, the nice grandpa, the carefree co-worker--the whole party’s here. What keeps it from being one huge cliché is the fact that every character knows how to step out of their mold. Funky, spunky heroine is serious and sincere when she needs to be, stiff hero knows how to loosen up and laugh, and even the sister-in-law pulls off a believable 180. Everyone grows and changes for the better.
The sincerity is what I love most about this drama. The themes of love, marriage, and family are written meaningfully rather than theatrically. Nothing is shoved in your face or preached to you, the characters simply go through real trials and tests of trust. And they come out victorious!
The love is fully realized from episode 12 and on, and some think that’s where the story starts slowing down, but I love those last four episodes for their dose of reality. We actually get to see their love mature and evolve, rather than just drama, drama, drama, then tada, happily ever after in the last five minutes of episode 16. Far too many drama writers think that's a good structure, and I have yet to figure out why.
A completely resolved, feel good ending just might be the most rare thing in K-dramas, but this one has it. The last narration between the two leads is perfect. They know how far they’ve come and how much farther they could still go. There’s no ending like the one that makes you realize, this was only the beginning.
It isn’t a visual masterpiece, and it wasn’t meant to be. It’s shot full screen, the lighting is too high key, general picture quality is a little grainy, and many shots are too close, even for Korean film style. All in all, a very standard looking drama. Takes nothing away from its charm, but I have this category just because I'll always be the eye candy police.
No great musical achievement either. No memorable ballads or BGM, though some key piano pieces work nicely over the quiet scenes.
Because it was REAL attraction! At that point in time, anyway. I was pretty crushed when LDG and HJH broke up, but I'll always be glad this drama immortalized their awesome chemistry. It was natural, sweet, and practically tangible.
Review Sheets
Sweet 18
My Girl
Dal Ja's Spring
Autumn Tale
Delightful Girl Choon Hyang