Moment at Eighteen (2019) User Reviews

Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 6/10 · 13 September 2019]

" Moment at eighteen" had a really strong start. The drama was perfect, with the issues such as bullying and gap between the social classes were nicely presented.

However, as soon as the romance started progressing, the drama lost its character and became a weak teenage rom com. The main character's problems, like the death on his one and only friend, were put aside and left for good. Let alone all those side characters whose story was never concluded. The drama got boring and the ending was open and unsatisfying.

Other than that, the performances were good from all the actors and actresses in this drama.

So, overall, six out of ten.

The Pressures of Teenage Life

[nishera · 8/10 · 17 March 2021]

As a story centered on teenagers and school life, I was expecting this show to be mostly romance and fluff, with more of the usual subject matter: love triangles & rivals, bullying, parental pressure to excel, maybe some unfair treatment by school staff...that sort of thing.

What I got instead was a poignant story of teenage struggles, covering heavy topics such as domestic abuse, social prejudice (in multiple forms), and parents' impact on their children's worldviews. The plot wasn't complex, but the subject matter and emotional weight definitely was. Thankfully, it was well written and executed, with a great cast.

If you are a fan of teenage K-Drama, have a strong sense of justice, and enjoy the dynamics of complex (if mostly non-romantic) relationships, this is worth your time.

LGBTQ INCLUSIVE: Yes

ROMANCE RATING: * * * 7/10. To be honest, I can barely consider this show a real "romance." For one thing, the story covered so many "big" topics, the romantic developments kind of seemed more like a foil to explore those heavier subjects. Secondly, true to the age group in question, any romance that appeared was kept very pure. OSW and KHG did have great chemistry together overall, but there were only 2-3, G-rated kiss scenes. If you require a great lip lock to leave satisfied, then keep that in mind. Recommended!

A worthy study of human appearances versus humane being. Needed and well told once accepted in its offering

[milofergusemily · 8/10 · 3 March 2023]

This study of community centers on two characters who are not who they seem to be. It is a moving examination of the boy who has clear hold of the title "good" and the newcomer who is quickly able to be labeled "bad." The richness of the story evolves as the bully slowly but surely appears and finally at the end of the story lets go of bullying as a life style. The tale is told with a decisive gentleness that takes a while to warm up to but really is the genius of the telling. Like heaven's garden we end up starting with an apparently modern, distracted and destructive community that is slowly and surely delivered into something better. All of the players did an amazing job in their respective roles but I must especially commend Shin Seung-ho. For his moving commitment to the broken pride and suffering intrensic to his roll as he endures abuse at home while navigating the inhuman expectations of social ordering that has gone astray. There is more than one broken person in the story, and more than one character that is healing to watch. I ended up very impressed by this story.

Target succeed!!!!!

[natidereje-73974 · 10/10 · 21 September 2021]

This korean drama have a lot of best things * best casting * best storytelling * best sound watch it you would like it.

Touching Coming-of-Age Drama!

[morebon · 10/10 · 12 September 2019]

This was truly a delightfully entertaining coming-of-age drama! Wonderful performance by the entire cast. I initially tuned into the series because of Kang Ki Young (teacher). I knew with him in a supporting role, he would add some light, loving humor to the script, and he did! A couple episodes later, I was enjoyably drawn in by the talents of Ong Seong Woo and Kim Hyang Gi and their characters' innocent attraction they developed...so naively cute! The narrative was so heartwarming: the journey through all the emotional snags and friendships was touching. Brilliant! Loved it!

Genuine Sweet Story of First Love

[fake_moviestar · 7/10 · 16 December 2022]

Moment at Eighteen is a wonderful, sweet story of first love and the conflicts that arise between young students in an elite school full of the children of ambitious parents. The characters are all very well developed, and multiple story lines are skillfully woven into a single overarching plot that feels fully fleshed out and explored. The cast is full of young and talented actors, each of them unique and each one gave an impressive performance. The story has enough drama to keep the audience interested, but it also feels genuine and down to earth, without any crazy sudden dramatic turns. The soundtrack in particular stood out to me and was both beautiful and memorable.

Overall, the underlying story of a first love at the age of 18 was sweet and executed perfectly. The awkwardness, the tenderness, the ups and downs; all were done extremely well.

The only complaint I had was it was a little slow at times, and the show overall could have probably been wrapped up in 12 episodes instead of 16. The ending was also a bit too open ended for my taste.

That being said, for a school drama/slice of life it is a wonderful show that is well worth a watch.

Superb story line and amazing cast

[basuabhi · 10/10 · 25 June 2021]

One of the best school drama i have ever watch. Two Main lead are doing great and their bonding is too good. One of best couple...

I watched it more than 15+ and never got bore.

How much can a kid endure?

[phd_travel · 6/10 · 18 September 2020]

This teen drama is a bit overlong and a bit depressing but has some watchable moments. A little Sky Castle crazy parents and a little Something in the Rain crazy mom. Ong Seung Woo is slim so he looks like a teenager - not an adult acting as a high school kid. And his smaller build makes him more sympathetic as the underdog . His facial expressions are too limited sometimes. But he does get sympathy for all the things he as to endure from the school villain, his father etc. The character is well written to get your sympathy - maybe too saintly but it's quite interesting to see how he reacts to all the bad things and his sometimes overly wise words. The female lead is played by Kim Hyang Gi acts alright but her face looks like a middle school kid and she doesn't suit the role. She was okay in the earlier teen web series but isn't right for such a major series. Shin Seung Ho as the bad guy actually acts quite convincingly. His character is the most interesting and complex. Probably the best performance of the bunch.

The parents are all in the crazy in a Sky Castle way about grades. The only sane grown up is the likeable homeroom teacher. The mother of the girl is a bit of a Something in the Rain type mother and she is played by CLOY's Kim Sun Young.

Not a must watch but has some moments.

Most Touching Story Ever Seen In K-Drama

[PalmBeachG · 9/10 · 16 March 2023]

I don't think I had a dry eye for at least 1/2 the K-Drama. It is very touching - tragic in parts, and the male lead Seong-wu Ong did a great job I playing an 18 year old who fell in love for the first time while enduring all kinds of judgements from others because of his forced transfer to a new school due to a false accusation that he was a thief and did assault as well. Of course, the top king of the school gets jealous of him, since he is handsome, nice, girls like him, including his girlfriend, and sets him up with a fake theft to get the drama started. Didn't know how this was going to end, and was crying though the ending - it wasn't a disappointing ending at all, just something that will make you cry. I am beginning to like the ML - saw him in Seoul Vibe and now this Moment of Eighteen Drama and he did a great job in both.

He won awards..

[lmerana · 6/10 · 4 October 2019]

The male lead won a lot of awards in this kdrama. I think he is a promising guy to watch out for. The female lead is cute but I guess that I want another female character. The issues were common in a high school in Korea. I am just glad that it was not an overly exaggerated Romeo and Juliet scenes.

A beautiful Nostalgic Kdrama

[jeanys · 9/10 · 14 February 2023]

This drama is very beautiful & well acted. If you have ever been bullied, ever been misunderstood, & discriminate against because of social status or race. You will get it & it's for you. It's a very realistic show that touches across races & borders. Beautiful & excellent...yes this drama took me back yes I was in high school in 🇭🇹 Haiti. (college canado-haitien). I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The main character was a young man of integrity 👏 & great character he had to make a difficult decision towards the end of the show but he did it with grace & love. Being poor doesn't mean poor character & greatness is from within.

Poor!

[Park_Min · 3/10 · 4 May 2023]

When it comes to teenage/school dramas, bullying/hierarchy/classes and school pressure aren't doing it for me unless they take an interesting angle of which this drama failed to do. It fell into the endless pit of vexing mediocrity. On another note, sloppy writing that is sincerely flawed and only focuses on the shininess of teenage fluff and antics, further demoting its poor efforts in creating a story. On an unrelated note, I wonder when Kim Hyang Gi would graduate from playing student roles, it's getting stale. Also, it's a waste for the adult cast to be involved in such drama. I don't recommend!

The most wholesome love story about humanity

[laurieeverett · 10/10 · 11 February 2023]

This show is so heartwarming! The main character is so kind and loving with mental fortitude beyond his years. Great job, Seong-wu Ong!

Many of the supporting characters are also kind and strong. Especially their teacher, played by Kang Ki-young; I think this was a perfect role for him. He gives a monologue in episode 13 that our world needs to hear.

Kim Do-wan played a fun role to balance some of the real world pains found in any good drama.

Most of the teen girls' roles are complimentary.

This serial will give you hope.

It's a precious gem!

Another reminder that we can learn a lot about humanity from South Korea. 💗

A refreshingly well writen and satisfying Korean drama

[barrytookas · 9/10 · 5 April 2023]

I thought i should write a review for this as so many of the Korean dramas I have watched recently are all 100% drama and 0% story line. While some of the characters actions were not really that believable, for the most part the story actually made sense and built to a conclusion as the episodes progressed. The acting was a very high standard and it was nice to see that although the main character was subject to bullying and disadvantages, he demonstrated a strength of character that gave the viewer hope he would triumph in the end. To many Korean story lines promote the idea that people of lower class deserve to be treated badly and the wealthy have every right to exploit the poor or those of lower status. At least I felt a sense of resolve at the end of Moment at Eighteen rather than the usual sense of outrage at wasting time on 14 episodes of frustration followed by 2 episodes that present like they had been written by a 4 year old.

Great story, with good actors

[akhale877 · 8/10 · 6 October 2019]

Honestly, the actor playing Choi jun woo was not that great in acting. He just said his dialogue with a straight face. Also their love story was quite boring . But the only character that held me up was Ma Hwi Young. His acting skills are superb. Proper reactions and with no over acting. Also all the other characters were great along with their friends. The side by side love story makes the series more catchy. The only thing i didn't like is the ending. The portrayal of the character Ma Hwi Young was done as a criminal, instead of a troubled student by the hand of his parents. The story should have done a little favour to this character. That's all.