Reply 1988 Review: A Heartwarming Trip Down Memory Lane

Title: Reply 1988

Episodes: 20

Genre: Slice-of-life, Family drama, Romance, Comedy 

Main Cast: Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Ryu Jun-yeol, Go Kyung-pyo, Lee Dong-hwi

Streaming Platform: Netflix, Viki

Image Credit: Wikipedia

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What makes a neighborhood feel like family? Reply 1988 is a nostalgic slice-of-life K-drama that beautifully captures the essence of youth, first love, and unbreakable friendships. Set against the late ’80s, it’s a warm reminder of simpler times, heartfelt bonds, and the joy of growing up together.

“Reply 1988” is a South Korean television series aired on tvN from 6 November 2015 to 16 January 2016. Written by Lee Woo-jung and directed by Shin Won-ho, this nostalgic slice-of-life drama is available on Netflix and Viki.

Plot Summary 

In 1988, five childhood friends who grew up together in the Ssangmun neighborhood of Seoul gathered to watch a TV show, while one by one, their parents called them for dinner. Sung Deok-sun is the middle child of Sung Dong-il(who works at a bank) and Lee Il-hwa(a housewife). She has an elder sister, Sung Bo-ra(a student at Seoul University), and a younger brother, Sung No-eul(a student). 

Kim Jung-hwan is the youngest son of Kim Sung-kyun(owns an electronics store) and Ra Mi-ran(a housewife). He has an elder brother, Kim Jung-bong, who has failed the college entrance exam six times, but still doesn't give up. Sung Sun-woo is the son of widowed Kim Sun-young(a housewife) and the elder brother of Sung Jin-joo(a toddler). 

Choi Taek, the famous Go player, is the only son of widowed Choi Moo-sung(who owns a watch store). Ryu Dong-ryong is the son of Ryu Jae-Myung(dean of Ssangmun High School), and his mother is a Chief at an insurance company. 

All these families often share side dishes with each other, and their children hang out at Taek's place. Maggie and Joey, Doek-sun's best friends at school, tell her that Sun-woo likes her, but it turns out that he actually likes Bo-ra. Initially, Bo-ra disapproves of him, but eventually ends up falling for him. 

Meanwhile, Jung-hwan actually develops feelings for Deok-sun but hides them due to Taek's genuine interest in Deok-sun, which he confessed to the boys. Deok-sun often takes good care of Taek, and she even accompanied him on his China tour when his father couldn't go with him. 

As they all grew up together, many hardships came their way, but with the help of each other's support, these families overcame each difficulty and achieved a fulfilling life.  

My Thoughts 

The storyline of the show revolves around the lives of five childhood friends who live in the same neighborhood. It takes us on a nostalgic trip back to the old times of the 80s. 

The cinematography of the show is bright and lively, navigating through the lives of Ssangmun residents. The television, radio, telephone, cassette, and even the housing will take you back to the old times, justifying the theme and setup of the series. 

The cast of the show is huge, and each of them perfectly portrayed their character with an impressive acting performance. I would like to mention the special shoutout for the strong friendship displayed by Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Ryu Jun-yeol, Go Kyung-pyo, and Lee Dong-hwi. Also, the bond shared by each family was truly heartwarming. 

I really love the fact that out of all the neighbors, only Deok-sun would match the madness of Sung-kyun with their iconic greeting. Also, my favorite scene is when Taek loses his match and shuts himself in the room while his friends jokingly scold him and teach him how to express his anger through cursing! That's so hilarious and wholesome at the same time. 

The story doesn't have any grand plot; instead, it represents the life of a normal household, which makes it more relatable and familiar. The gossip between neighborhood aunties, unserious Sung-kyun's funny jokes, Jung-bong's love story, Sun-young's questionable cooking skills, and the unexpressive yet caring father-daughter duo of Dong-il and Bo-ra all made the show truly entertaining. 

The show also expressed the difficulties faced by middle-class people, whether it be debt, health issues, or worry about their children's future, which resonates with the viewers. The show ends on a happy note with a lasting impression, and I definitely enjoyed watching it.

Reply 1988 is more than just a drama; it’s an experience that leaves you smiling, crying, and reminiscing about your own memories of family and friends. If you want a show that touches your heart while wrapping you in nostalgia, this is the K-drama to watch.

What's your take on Reply 1988? Comment on your favorite characters and scenes in the section below. 

If you like watching such nostalgic dramas, check out my review of Twenty Five Twenty One. 

My Rating: 8/10 

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