There are so many wonderful aspects of why this drama truly worked for me especially as I watch each episode. I have to be honest that during the first four episodes, it was hard for me to watch it not because of the storyline (I was literally crying every episode especially the first few) but maybe because each episode is just too long. However, after I gave it a try again and realized that what makes it endearing are actually the reasons I’ve mentioned above (except the last one, of course). There are episodes were long unlike the standard length drama which is an hour, but it gives the advantage of fleshing out all the characters in Ssangmundong and having us shown each of their dillemma and growth throughout the series. There are episodes where I didn’t even noticed that 1 hour and 40 minutes have gone by simply because episodes extracted such fine storytelling that makes it really enjoyable to watch. I’ve also mention there’s no crazy conflict in this show. The plot is just to show the normal lives of the characters and the simplicity of life during 1988. How can a writer and director create a show with no makjang-level-plot, no out-of-the-top antagonist or a surprising twist like amnesia or someone unexpectedly dying yet managed to make us laugh so much, cry the next scenes and mostly—laugh and cry at the same time. This is a show about the normal lives of people—struggling on their own, finding support in each other and just trying to live a life not just for themselves but for their own family. This is a youth and family drama all at one.