[Aisha's Take] Rewinding 2022: A Trip Back to the 90s Love

2022 has given an array of amazing dramas and movies for you to enjoy. A prominent theme that emerged was the 90s theme. They felt like time travelling machines that took us to the 90s with an aesthetic view of their fashion, lifestyle and romance! They revived the innocent, heart-warming romance and a 90s kid or not, we all felt our heart beat racing out of our chests!

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So, before 2022 comes to an end lets rewind our favorite theme among the 2022 K-dramas and movies. Here are K-dramas and movies that take us back to the 90's era.

"Twenty Five Twenty One"

Literally, one of the block busters and perhaps the trend setter of the year! The star-studded cast, including Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Tae-ri and Kim Ji-yeon, caught the attention of many fans before its release. Frankly, who wouldn't be excited to see Nam Joo-hyuk in the 90s aesthetic, he perfectly embodied the 90's crush concept. 

Besides the adorable and comical essence, "Twenty Five Twenty One" tells the story of loneliness and how two people found companionship in each other during the hardest time of their lives. It tuned back to the time when South Korea was going through a financial crisis. Na Hee-do (Kim Tae-ri) and Baek I-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk) were also affected by the crisis but they became each other's allies and helped each other achieve their dreams.

"Twenty Five Twenty One" will make you experience first love, true friendship and heartbreak with a beautiful touch of the 90s.

"20th Century Girl"

Whilst fans were still not over the ending of "Twenty Five Twenty One", Netflix released "20th Century Girl" to experience another heart break. The movie tells the story of Na Bo-ra (Kim You-jung), a high school student who takes on a mission to find all the needed information on her best friend's crush whilst she flies to America for her surgery. 

We all love high school romance. The experience of first love and its innocence, but it's even better when the backdrop is of the 90s. Na Bo-ra meets Pong Woon-ho (Byeon Woo-seok) and the two grow closer over time, but things become complicated when she has to choose between her best friend and her first love. 

"Twenty Five Twenty One" walked us through the 90s as the characters grew, but "20th Century Girl" held closer to nostalgia. Na Bo-ra reminisces back to her high school life and discovers a heart-breaking truth left behind.

"Ditto 2022"

On the night of a lunar eclipse, two college students, Kim Yong (Yeo Jin-goo) and Kim Min-neui (Cho Yi-hyun), living 20 years apart, communicate through an antique radio. The two soon begin to share their love stories with each other. 

The movie moves back and forth to 1999 and 2021 and we get to see the differences and similarities between the two eras. Yet what stays the same is love and its complexities. Henceforth, two people living in completely different worlds, find solace in their conversations but soon realise something more heart breaking. 

Which is your favorite K-movie or drama based on the 90s? Let us know!

By Aisha Adnan

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"Twenty Five Twenty One" is directed by Jung Ji-hyun, Kim Seung-ho-III, written by Kwon Do-eun, and features Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Ji-yeon, Choi Hyun-wook, Lee Joo-myung, Seo Jae-hee. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2022/02/12~2022/04/03, Sat, Sun 21:10 on tvN.

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"Ditto 2022" is directed by Seo Eun-young, and features Yeo Jin-goo, Cho Yi-hyun, Kim Hye-yoon, Na In-woo, Bae In-hyuk, Roh Jae-won. Release date in Korea: 2022/11/16.

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"20th Century Girl" is directed by Bang Woo-ri, and features Kim You-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Park Jung-woo-V, Roh Yoon-seo, Han Hyo-joo, Lee Beom-soo. Release date in Korea: 2022/10/21.