Reply 1988
Set in the vibrant yet nostalgic streets of Ssangmun-dong, Reply 1988 tells the heartfelt story of five childhood friends navigating the ups and downs of life during the late 1980s. Sung Deok Sun (played by Lee Hye Ri) is a spirited, middle child struggling to stand out in her family. Despite her chaotic home life, her infectious energy makes her the glue that binds her tight-knit group of friends. Among her closest companions is Choi Taek (played by Park Bo Gum), a genius Go player whose shy demeanor hides a profound depth. Meanwhile, Kim Jung Hwan (Ryu Jun Yeol) is the group's sarcastic yet caring realist, who secretly harbors feelings for Deok Sun. Sung Sun Woo (Go Kyung Pyo) balances the responsibilities of being a diligent student and the man of his household, while Ryu Dong Ryong (Lee Dong Hwi) provides the comic relief and wisdom that often go unnoticed. The series beautifully explores themes of love, family, and community. It delves into the challenges of growing up, unspoken emotions, and the enduring bonds between neighbors who are more like family. From first loves and sibling rivalries to life-changing moments and tender goodbyes, Reply 1988 captures the universal experiences that shape us all. Featuring an exceptional ensemble cast, nostalgic 80s settings, and a soul-stirring soundtrack, Reply 1988 is more than a drama—it's a journey back in time that celebrates life’s simplest yet most meaningful moments. Whether you're drawn to its heartfelt storytelling or its unforgettable characters, this series is a timeless gem that resonates with audiences of all generations.
Details
🙂 Native Title: 응답하라 1988
🌎 Also Known As: Eungdabhara 1988, Answer Me 1988, Respond 1988, Answer to 1988, Respond to 1988
🎭 Genres: Comedy, Romance, Life, Youth
🏷 Tags: Nostalgia, Multiple Couples, Poor Family, Love Triangle, Friendship
✍ Screenwriters: Lee Woo Jung, Kim Song Hee
🎬 Directors: Shin Won Ho, Yoo Hak Chan
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 20
🗓️ Aired: Nov 6, 2015 – Jan 16, 2016
📅 Airing Days: Friday, Saturday
📺 Original Network: tvN
⏰ Duration: 1 hr. 35 min. per episode
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older
Best Scenes
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Taek’s Confession: Choi Taek’s heartfelt confession to Deok Sun showcases the depth of his feelings, marking a pivotal moment in the series.
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First Snow Promise: The friends’ tradition of making wishes during the first snowfall highlights their deep bond and shared dreams.
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Family Dinner: The Sung family’s dinner scenes, filled with laughter and occasional disputes, reflect the warmth and authenticity of familial relationships.
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Concert Night: Deok Sun’s excitement and challenges in attending a concert mirror the youthful exuberance and limitations of the 1980s.
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Alleyway Reunion: The friends’ late-night gatherings in the neighborhood alley capture the essence of their camaraderie and shared histories.
Filming Locations
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Uijeongbu City: The primary neighborhood set was constructed in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, authentically replicating 1980s Seoul.
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Yalgaki Tteokbokki: This eatery in Sosan, Chungcheongnam-do, served as the backdrop for Deok Sun and her friends’ frequent hangout, adding realism to their school life portrayals.
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England Tonkatsu: Located in Incheon, this restaurant was featured during Jung Hwan’s family dinner, emphasizing the era’s dining culture.
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Ssangmun High School: The school scenes were filmed at a high school in Seoul, grounding the characters’ academic experiences in reality.
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Uijeongbu Arts Center: The poignant scene where Jung Hwan realizes his missed opportunity with Deok Sun was shot here, enhancing the emotional depth.
Visual Design and Costumes
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Authentic 1980s Fashion: The characters’ wardrobes, featuring denim jackets, tracksuits, and permed hairstyles, accurately reflect South Korea’s 1980s fashion trends.
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Retro Interiors: Set designs, including vintage wallpaper, analog televisions, and rotary phones, recreate the domestic ambiance of the era.
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Period-specific Props: Items like cassette players, old-school textbooks, and classic Korean snacks enhance the show’s nostalgic appeal.
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Color Palette: Warm, muted tones dominate the visual scheme, evoking a sense of nostalgia and comfort throughout the series.
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Traditional Korean Architecture: The depiction of hanoks (traditional Korean houses) and communal courtyards reflects the living environments of 1980s Seoul neighborhoods.
Themes and Messages
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Family Solidarity: The series underscores the importance of familial bonds, showcasing the sacrifices and unconditional support within households.
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Friendship and Growth: It delves into the evolution of friendships, highlighting how shared experiences shape personal development.
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First Love and Heartache: The portrayal of adolescent romances captures the innocence, excitement, and occasional pain of first loves.
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Socioeconomic Challenges: The drama reflects on the economic disparities and aspirations of 1980s South Korea, providing social commentary on the era’s challenges.
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Nostalgia and Change: It evokes a longing for simpler times while acknowledging the inevitability of change and the passage of time.
Interesting Facts
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Real-life Inspirations: Choi Taek’s character is inspired by renowned Go player Lee Chang Ho, adding authenticity to his portrayal.
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Cameos from ‘Reply 1994’: Actors Go Ara and Jung Woo from “Reply 1994” make appearances, creating a shared universe within the “Reply” series.
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Set Demolition: The meticulously constructed neighborhood set in Uijeongbu was dismantled after filming, despite fans’ hopes for its preservation as a tourist attraction.
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Award-winning Kiss: The kiss scene between Park Bo Gum and Lee Hyeri earned the DramaFever Award for Best Kiss in 2015, highlighting its impact on audiences.
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High Viewership Ratings: “Reply 1988” achieved record-breaking ratings, becoming one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable television history.
Awards
“Reply 1988” has garnered significant acclaim, earning numerous awards and nominations:
- 2016 tvN10 Awards: Grand Prize (Daesang) in Drama – Won
- 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards: Best New Actor (Ryu Jun-yeol) – Won
- 2016 APAN Star Awards: Best New Actress (Lee Hye-ri) – Won
- 2016 Asia Artist Awards: Best Rookie Award, Actor (Ryu Jun-yeol) – Won
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Drama – Won
- 2016 tvN10 Awards: Best Content Award, Drama – Won
- 2016 tvN10 Awards: Special Acting Award (Sung Dong-il) – Won
- 2016 tvN10 Awards: Rising Star Award, Actor (Ryu Jun-yeol) – Won
- 2016 tvN10 Awards: Rising Star Award, Actress (Lee Hye-ri) – Won
- 2016 tvN10 Awards: Scene-Stealer Award, Actor (Kim Sung-kyun) – Won
- 2016 tvN10 Awards: Scene-Stealer Award, Actress (Ra Mi-ran) – Won
- 2016 tvN10 Awards: Best Kiss (Park Bo-gum & Lee Hye-ri) – Nominated
- 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards: Best New Actress – Television (Lee Hye-ri) – Nominated
- 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards: Best New Actor – Television (Ryu Jun-yeol) – Nominated
- 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards: Best Drama – Nominated
- 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards: Best Screenplay – Television (Lee Woo-jung) – Nominated
- 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards: Best Director – Television (Shin Won-ho) – Nominated
- 2016 APAN Star Awards: Best New Actor (Ryu Jun-yeol) – Nominated
- 2016 APAN Star Awards: Best New Actress (Lee Hye-ri) – Nominated
- 2016 APAN Star Awards: Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries (Park Bo-gum) – Nominated
- 2016 APAN Star Awards: Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries (Lee Hye-ri) – Nominated
- 2016 APAN Star Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Choi Moo-sung) – Nominated
- 2016 APAN Star Awards: Best Supporting Actress (Kim Sun-young) – Nominated
- 2016 APAN Star Awards: Best Original Soundtrack (Lee Juck – “Don’t Worry Dear”) – Nominated
- 2016 Asia Artist Awards: Best Star Award – Actor (Ryu Jun-yeol) – Won
- 2016 Asia Artist Awards: Best Star Award – Actress (Lee Hye-ri) – Won
- 2016 Asia Artist Awards: Asia Star Award (Park Bo-gum) – Won
- 2016 Asia Artist Awards: Rising Star Award, Actor (Ryu Jun-yeol) – Won
- 2016 Asia Artist Awards: Rising Star Award, Actress (Lee Hye-ri) – Won
- 2016 Asia Artist Awards: Best OST (Oh Hyuk – “A Little Girl”) – Nominated
- 2016 Asia Artist Awards: Best OST (Lee Juck – “Don’t Worry Dear”) – Won
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Actor (Sung Dong-il) – Nominated
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Actress (Ra Mi-ran) – Nominated
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best New Actor (Ryu Jun-yeol) – Won
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best New Actress (Lee Hye-ri) – Won
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Choi Moo-sung) – Nominated
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Supporting Actress (Kim Sun-young) – Nominated
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Screenplay (Lee Woo-jung) – Nominated
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Director (Shin Won-ho) – Nominated
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Original Soundtrack (Lee Juck – “Don’t Worry Dear”) – Nominated
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Miniseries – Nominated
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Rising Star (Park Bo-gum) – Won
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Kiss (Park Bo-gum & Lee Hye-ri) – Won
- 2016 APAN Star Awards: Best Couple Award (Park Bo Gum & Lee Hye Ri) – Nominated
- 2016 Korea Drama Awards: Best Actress (Lee Hye Ri) – Nominated
- 2016 Korea Drama Awards: Best Actor (Ryu Jun Yeol) – Nominated
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Actress (Lee Hye Ri) – Nominated
- 2016 Korean Cable TV Awards: Best Actor (Park Bo Gum) – Nominated
- 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards: Most Popular Actor (Ryu Jun Yeol) – Nominated
- 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards: Most Popular Actress (Lee Hye Ri) – Nominated
- 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards: Grand Prize (Shin Won Ho & Team) – Nominated
The accolades and nominations reflect “Reply 1988″‘s cultural impact, resonating with audiences for its heartfelt storytelling, exceptional cast performances, and nostalgic themes.
Real-Life Loves on Set
Yes, the South Korean drama “Reply 1988” led to a real-life romance between cast members Ryu Jun-yeol and Hyeri. The two actors, who portrayed childhood friends in the series, began dating after the show’s conclusion. Their relationship became public in 2017 when Hyeri was seen visiting Ryu Jun-yeol’s home. Ryu’s representatives confirmed the relationship shortly thereafter.
The couple maintained a low-profile relationship, occasionally being spotted together, such as during bicycle rides and art gallery visits.
However, reports indicate that their relationship ended in late 2023.
It’s worth noting that while there were rumors of Hyeri dating another co-star, Park Bo-gum, during and after the show’s run, these were unfounded. Hyeri and Park Bo-gum have remained close friends, often reuniting with other cast members for gatherings.
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