Review: 18 Again

18 Again - JTBC 2020 Drama

No. of episodes: 16
Genre: Romance, School, Fantasy

Native title: 18 어게인
Original network: JTBC, Netflix

The fantasy drama happens when Hong Dae Young (Yoon Sang Hyun) magically returns back to the 18-year-old self after his marriage with Jung Da Jung (Kim Ha Neul) became shaky.

Decide to have the baby and give up on their dreams. 18 Again
Decide to have the baby and give up on their dreams. 18 Again

The proud parents of a pair of 18-year-old twins, Hong Shi Ah (Roh Jeong Eui) and Hong Shi Woo (Ryeoun) got married at the tender age of 18 and found themselves struggling to maintain the temperature of love over 2 decades.

[Young] Dae Young fetching his twins home after kindergarten. 18 Again.
[Young] Dae Young fetching his twins home after kindergarten. 18 Again.

Back to 18

Hong Dae Young and Jung Da Jung have their own dreams to pursue, Dae Young is an aspiring basketball player, and Da Jung dream to be an announcer. However, the sudden news them pregnant took their dream on pause for 2 decades.

Da Jung initiates a divorce to end their marriage and Dae Young on the other hand trying to salvage their relationship. He went back to the high school basketball court and walked out back in the 18-year-old self.

Getting closer

Trying his best to support the family financially, Dae Young grew apart from them as well. His twins grew distant from him and he is unable to unlock their hearts. Back to the 18-year-old self, he went straight to his best friend Go Deok Jin (Kim Kang Hyun) for help.

Woo Young trying to bring Shin Woo out from his own shell. 18 Again.
Woo Young trying to bring Shin Woo out from his own shell. 18 Again.

He got a new identity after settling down, Dae Young goes by Go Woo Young (Lee Do Hyun) and became his best friend’s son. Woo Young went to the same school that his twins go and found out more about them.

Shin Ah injure herself, both Woo Young and Ji Ho run towards her to help. 18 Again.
Shin Ah injure herself, both Woo Young and Ji Ho run towards her to help. 18 Again.

He befriends his son who was bullied by Goo Ja Sung (Hwang In Yeob), the Basketball team leader, and his gang. Woo Young’s care and attentiveness towards Shi Ah is the love from a father, but to Seo Ji Ho (Choi Bo Min), he unknowingly became a love competitor.

Real competitor

While he is closer to his family as Woo Young, Dae Young is physically and emotionally detached from the family. Da Jung finally got accepted into JBC broadcast station as an announcer, even though the higher management did not like her due to age and marital status, her capability shows her worthiness.

A famous baseball pitcher Ye Ji Hoon (Wi Ha Joon) get to know Da Jung through an interview after his match. He starts to develop good interest in the newly divorced Da Jung and starts to create opportunities to see her again.

Da Jung confront Woo Young. 18 Again
Da Jung confront Woo Young. 18 Again

Will Da Jung accept the ridiculous fact that Dae Young is Woo Young? Even if they are back together, will Woo Young ever return to his real age?


Lee Do Hyun’s character development is really huge and can totally see the mature acting from him. Well deserved awards for his role in 18 Again as Best New Actor at both The 7th APAN Star Awards and The 19th Korea First Brand Awards.

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