PURE GOLD <3
ahhh what a drama.such a cute drama. Main focus of drama was on FAMILY and FRIENDSHIP.
I Love how they gather and talk about each and every detail of the day, share their happiness and sorrows with eachother. SUPPORT EACHOTHER
Love how they are with eachother in ups and downs. EVERYTHING FEELS SO NATURAL AND REAL.
Each character is AMAZING!!!! Fathers and mothers , how they support their childern, their unconditional love for their kids. CASTING IS PERFECT. <3
Even thou the whole drama is in same setting but still it didn't get bored and I enjoyed it to the end.
There are rare dramas which catch your attention and steals your heart, THIS IS ONE OF THEM. <3
This Drama is PURE GOLD "_" This is my first ever REPLY series and i enjoyed it soooooooo much.
AFTER WATCHING THIS DRAMA I WISH TO HAVE SUCH CUTE,LOVING,SUPPORTIVE AND PURE BESTFRIENDS. THEY WERE NOT FRIENDS , THEY WERE FAMILY <3
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This review may contain spoilers
Imagine yourselves returning to your younger days, to the youth you long for once adulthood welcomes you into a newer sense of reality. If you want an escape to that reality and if you want to return to the past via nostalgic feelings, Reply 1988 is a drama that you should watch. This drama is the third installment of the "Reply" series, and like its predecessors, it tackles different stories of family and youth in a certain timeframe. In my opinion, among the three installments, THIS IS THE BEST. Allow me to explain:This drama might have many similarities in terms of its theme and topic to other dramas, but this drama has a different way of presenting the stories of friendship, family, and romance. There are points in the drama that you'll laugh hysterically, then suddenly you'll weep without you noticing your tears are already falling. The drama does not attain to be deep, but it attains to be relatable. It doesn't push you to think very hard, but it pushes you to relate to the emotions of each and everyone of the characters. The story telling is superb for it enabled the viewers to get a clear glimpse of the past and reality without compromising the story. Another thing is that even though most of the contents in the drama speak to the Korean viewers, it enabled overseas fans to feel that nostalgia even if the scales work differently. The story was put up together very well and for that I gave it a 10 out of 10.
Characters and character development? GREAT. Characterization? EXCELLENT. Throughout the drama, the script was able to develop the characters well. It was able to present the struggles, and the innate feelings of the characters with their dialogues and actions. Without bringing out spoilers, I would like to commend the character development of the parents and the four main characters, but unfortunately, I had dilemmas in terms of the character development of the lead girl, Dukseon, for the simple reason that the lack of character build-up intensified the debate regarding the plot (I wouldn't want to expand on it for I might give spoilers unconsciously.) The acting is just so great that it was able to capture the hearts of the viewers. Like what I said awhile ago, the drama appeals to be relatable, and the acting is that key component that made the drama MUCH relatable. ALL OF THE ACTORS DID GREAT that I actually want to commend everyone who acted in the drama. So in terms of the Characters and acting, I would give this drama a 10 out of 10.
The music scoring? Well, I can't find an adjective worthy for its soundtrack and OSTs. The soundtrack of the drama is so reminiscent of the 80's sound and the soundtrack was able to mirror the sounds of Korea during the 80s. It added greatly to the vibes of the drama thus making the drama more nostalgic. It helped in highlighting the emotions in each scene and not only that, the OSTs were so close-knitted to central themes of the drama. Personally, my favorite OST of the drama was "Don't Worry" by Lee Juck, and "Hyehwadong" by Park Bo-ram. I personally loved these OSTs for it enabled me to reminisce the happenings and the emotions that I felt while watching the drama. The music was able to intensify the emotions and it was able to set the mood greatly thus giving it a 10 out of 10 is just righteous.
The drama is easy to watch, and the drama is that drama that'll give a lasting impression to its viewers. This is the kind of drama that you would like to watch again and again. Unfortunately, for someone who has many things to do in life, it'll be hard to watch this drama again due to its length. Because of that reason, I gave it a 9 out of 10 in terms of its rewatch value.
The Reply series has been a great series ever since it was created. I'm not saying that 1997 and 1994 weren't great, it's just that 1988 was more superior in my opinion. I'm so glad that I gave this drama a huge chunk of my time and I promise you, you won't regret watching this drama :D.
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Be prepared to cry and and laught and just have a goid time.
If you are considering watching it but aren't sure then just do it. It's such a beautifully written story and it follows the life of the neighborhood. I'm not generally the type of cry while watching things. but I cried multiple times thoughtout the shows. It n9t necessarily sad but it fills be with much much nostalgia and memories. I genuinely enjoyed every bit of it from the cinematography, to the music, to the the characters. My favorites thing however had to the quotes. The talk about general life experiences, but it hits so close to home because of how reliable they are. You are able to live through the characters and there is a understanding that comes with that. I sae myslef in several characters and that made me emotional. the parts I did see and the parts I wasn't able to see. The only word I can use to describe it right now is beautiful. It is just so beautiful. It makes me want to go back in the past and relive my own memoriesWas this review helpful to you?
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Story focus is on the families and their very loving relationship with each and every one in their neighborhood block. That's the biggest heart of this show that you cannot find on any Korean drama to date. It makes you wish you grew up in such a loving block. The lessons imparted in this show are very real. It's a show that both kids and parents can enjoy, and learn from.
Music: The songs chosen for this drama are perfect! Even the nostalgic, popular English songs from the 80s gave the show additional heart.
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This review may contain spoilers
realistic drama
one of my favorite dramas!!! its enjoyable to watch, every episode also funny and makes me cry at the same time, whether its sad or touching ones.I really can relate with Deoksun's position, thats why whenever she treated unfairly just because she's the middle child or barely complain, I can feel it :") Bo Ra might be annoying at first, but she has her good side too as big sister.
every family has their own stories and all of it made me cry successfully. my only complain is that they didn't put much story for Dong-Ryong :( he's the most funny person in the squad but he always feel lonely and I feel unsatisfied with his story.
it's a shame that Jung Pal not ended up together with his crush, but it was his fault for not confess directly and holding too much. triangle love is always hard especially if your rival is the one that closest to you.. I'm just glad they didn't make Jung Pal died here lol
the cast, the story, the OST all are good. I would never bored watching this over and over. recommended.
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Wonderful start, however it started to drag towards the end.
This series is truly special. It’s unlike the other kdramas I’ve watched and felt immersive in the time period. There were so many touches to the set design, soundtrack, and 1980s events written in that made it feel truly set in 1988-1989 (and beyond). The acting was wonderful, DS/SY is a wonderful female lead, and the chemistry between the cast was so great.It’s extremely hard to get me invested in a romance in general, especially one between teenagers. So, I went into this knowing that was going to be the weakest aspect for me. I enjoyed the family and friend relationships most of all, and I do feel like that makes up enough of the show to interest even those like me that find a lot of those too trope-y and predictable.
I started to really feel the 1 hour+ runtimes around episode 16 or so. Once we start to get into the kids prepping for college fully and Bo-ra making choices about her future, it felt just a tiny bit aimless. If you’re looking for a slice of life-ish type story and you were actually alive during this time period, you may still enjoy sitting with the story as it builds to its ending. For me, I plan to finish it someday but eventually ended up looking up the ending and dropping it on episode 18.
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The story is cute, the chemistry is right but it drags soooooo much and the side stories gets annoying at one point.
If you're in for a family drama then go for it. But if you're in for some romance then look elsewhere. The main love story of the actual main leads is like 0.5% of the drama (I'm not exaggerating) the romance between the parents takes more screen time!
I admit, it's an incredibly cute 0.5%, but the lack of screen time is depressing as hell!
The cast are funny and lovely, but again, this drama could've done extremely well as a regular 16 eps drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
Resolution leaves something to be desired
I have two review versions.Reply 1988 is
like a Michael Jackson song
like the youth you never had
like the youth you had
like a warm blanket
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There is not a lot that hasn’t been said about Reply 1988. That’s why rather than trying to simply rehash what others have written before I want to focus my attention on the love triangle, its resolution, on the last episodes and the ways in which they might be lacking.
It seems to me that there is some fluff during the last episodes and uncharacteristically the focus shifts from Deok Sun to Bo-ra, and from the young to the older generation. My theory for this is that Jung Hwan made up a huge amount of the drama, and when they finish the love triangle story arch with episode 18 it changes the dynamic very much.
Deok Sun and Taek, despite being really sweet together, have no real romantic chemistry and the moment Jung Hwan leaves the triangle their romance plot falls flat on its face. The writer/producers might have seen that and tried to stuff the episodes with other people's issues which is honestly fine, but it nevertheless leaves something to be desired. You can argue that even the writer/producers have not enough confidence in the Deok Sun/Taek storyline from the moment the love triangle is over to give them a proper ending. So did they make a mistake in choosing Taek over Jung Hwan?
I am sure Taek was supposed to be the one from the start, something many people in #teamJungHwan are doubting who say they switched the one Deok Sun ends up with midway. I don’t think that. But what couldn't and can't be accounted for, what nobody could anticipate, is the real-life chemistry between the actors on set, something that develops during filming, the chemistry which surely favores Jung Hwan over Taek. The other point is simply what an actor makes out of a role, and clearly Ryu Joon Yeol is an outstanding actor who gives depth and complexity to this character and is immensely charismatic. Everything he does is simply unmissable. This, too couldn’t be foreseen. Equally, Park Bo Gum is a terrific actor with a delicacy that is quite rare in Korean dramas.
Jung Hwan is notably absent form large portions of the last episodes, but so are Deok Sun and Taek. Basically the makers seemed to go out of their way to leave Jung Hwan out of the plot, and whenever he wasn't around something was lacking. Reply 1988 being based on a real story means Jung Hwan's ending originally was different (he was supposed to die in a plane crash, being a fighter pilot), which luckily they changed. They could've changed it even more and changed Taek's role too, if they wanted to.
Both the chemistry and acting point toward Jung Hwan's role having a bigger ending than somehow fizzling out. But be that as it may, crucially, the makers seemed to also not have been very confident about the main couple, so they circumvented putting more time and effort into their storyline by embroidering other's. This goes above and beyond of the mechanisms of Second Lead Syndrome where it might be calculated that viewers favor the second lead getting the girl because it spices things up. There is a weird vacuum because these miscalculations are not properly addressed. There is no solution to the plot being somehow anticlimactic, but I am kind of glad they didn't add insult to injury by making up a happy-go-lucky ending for Jung Hwan.
Not having romantic or sexual chemistry is one thing but the writing has Deok Sun/Taek's relationship as more of a child/caretaker or sibling one. Taek maybe needs a mother or noona more than a girlfriend, and I don't think it's desirable to couple a young woman with a young man who is unable to "tie his own show laces" because she is so good at caring for him.
Of course the equally valid point can be made, and has been made, that no woman would want a man who continuously treats her badly and calls her ugly and stupid because he can not deal with his own feelings. He consistently chooses a negative, petty, mean approach, to protect himself from hurt, or because he is somewhat of an asshole. There is no good explanation why he can not even be different when he is alone: He wishes for Taek to be a jerk which would be bad for her too, and he secretly enjoys the fact that Sun Woo doesn’t like Deok Sun back. He resorts to negative thoughts and wants nobody else to have her instead of wishing the best for her.
Some people say Jung Hwan doesn't deserve her, yes, but the way he behaves until the end is a writing decision. Others say Jung Hwan is stronger and can deal with losing Deok Sun, but it would hurt Taek, maybe send him into even worse drug problems, which he would never recover from. While this is an intriguing point I don't think Taek should be coddled the way he always was coddled, well into his adulthood, just because he is supposedly weaker. Jung Hwan might be able to get over Deok Sun but to say he has to because he can deal with it is kind of cruel. The way he tends to bottle up his emotions is no sign of strength and I would have loved to see him open up and be vulnerable for once.
Of course, Jung Hwan as emotionally unavailable, distant love interest with an equally huge amount of meanspirited quips as well as wordless galantries is the kind of guy women easily fall for. He seems like a mixture of a Tsundere with a Kuudere type character. Mean, harsh, jealous, vengeful, unemotional, guarded who has a huge amount of belligerent sexual tension with Deok Sun. But the extent to which I would argue this is abused here makes Jung Hwan seem like a cheap plot device. He is good enough to provide heartfluttering moments, raise the tension and keep the love triangle alive but not good enough to be developed into something more. He deserves better.
Maybe, just maybe, this is not a bad plot device, and not bad writing, maybe this is intentional and what I am just writing proves just how great Jung Hwan is written and played, and just how they have succeeded in breaking our hearts. And the heartbreak, sorrow, even trauma wouldn't have happened if it were any other way.
With motherhood being such a huge part of Korean culture and even of this drama, I can see why the writers don't have a huge problem with choosing a partner who is essentially child-like in many ways, who needs mothering, and have this be a fundamental part of their relationship. I think it romanticizes motherhood and leaves Deuk Sun with the short end of the stick. From a Western perspective at least it seems strange, if not icky, to show marriage largely as one taking care of the other. From this perspective a romantic relationship is about two people meeting at eye level, not one looking down on the other. Maybe the flaw lies in the writing and Taek/Deuk Sun is never shown to evolve into a more equal kind of relationship. Taek has his moments and is mature in different ways, but he always stays a needy child in others. To be fair, Jung Hwan equally is never shown to fully evolve into someone who treats Deuk Sun well. So you have someone who looks down on her or someone who looks up to her, and of course you would want the latter for your female lead character.
You can complain that Deok Sun has been forced into a caretaking role just because it is her nature, which is unfair. You can also look at it from another angle - Deok Sun is simply a stronger person. She can take care of Taek and be a grounding influence on him just because she is smart, pragmatic, realistic, tough and mentally strong. This makes her not stuck in an antiquated role but, quite the opposite, a very modern heroine.
Jung Hwan hurts himself as well as Deok Sun by pushing her away, hesitating, ruminating and giving major mixed signals. Taek never once deliberately hurts her. That in and of itself should be enough to give Taek the upper hand. But it also makes Jung Hwan so much more interesting, because you can never forget the people who hurt you and there will always be lingering questions like 'why....' and 'what if....?'.
There is a scene when Dong Ryung asks Deok Sun whom she likes more, Taek or him, and without hesitation she says Taek. But when he asks whom she likes more between Jung Hwan and Sun Woo, she answers evasively. This seems to mirror Taek's/Jung Hwan's feelings. I always felt that Deok Sun loves Taek, and isn't afraid to express it, and that she likes to take care of him and is very protective of him, but that she is in love with Jung Hwan. It is fitting that after being very vocal about her feelings for Sun Woo she would tread lightly and be cautious to not get burned again.
Mid-drama it is clear that both Taek and Jung Hwan have romantic interest in Deok Sun, but there is never an easy answer as to what she feels. If there is an imbalance of feelings the final episode unwisely exacerbates it: Once more we learn about Taek’s feelings which were never in doubt. This emphasizes even more that her feelings are still somewhat of a mistery, which leaves a bitter aftertaste. It makes me think of the cheesy male-written line from Titanic: “A woman’s heart is a deep ocean of secrets”. If that were the case the writer could’ve worked that into the script, they could’ve left room for doubt, longing, inner conflict – particularly in a drama centered around sentimentality. Instead the romance is resolved and everything else is simply left to be forgotten, which is offensively stupid.
In a way whom Deok Sun ends up with is very fitting to who she is as a person. She has always been a people pleaser and never had a dream of her own, she always reacts to being liked rather than liking someone herself. So she ends up with the one capable of consistently showing his affection towards her. We'll never know whether what she likes herself is actually different. Probably she doesn't know herself.
Deok Sun is also pragmatic, and her whole personality is grounded in reality. Despite what other characters say about him I believe Jung Hwan is romantic, and sensitive, and the fact that he is not capable of expressing his feelings adequately only makes him more so. Jung Hwan has the most romantic gestures of the two love interests, and quietly he is very perceptive, very sweet, and very idolizing. I don't really know whether this at all translates into a real-life relationship and maybe Jung Hwan feels that adoring Deuk Sun from afar is already the best part of it. Maybe he wants her to remain an idea in his mind, untouched by reality. Maybe, like he says, he isn't very courageous and hides his insecurity behind a mean facade. In this regard Taek is very confident, he doesn't need to hide behind anything. He also experiences many tough moments with Deuk Sun (the flasher, being in China, carrying her out of the stadium, giving her medicine) and his strength lies in being there and dealing with it all like a mature person. Taek is already real-life tried and tested.
I think Taek is a great guy and I'd have no problem with Deok Sun ending up with him, if it weren't for Jung Hwan. In fact, they are both tremendously intriguing, flawed, complicated characters whom I love from the bottom of my heart and choosing between them is literally like Sophie's Choice, only worse.
As it stands this might be one of the most traumatic, heartwrenching, tragic endings I have ever seen. Maybe the impossibility to find a perfect solution with everything wrapped up neatly is part of what makes Reply 1988 so good. When all is said and done, and reality sets in, the reality we see drawn out which seems not a bad place to be in, there is still that someone in your memory, there is still something unfulfilled, just one more reason to be sentimental for your youth.
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A Brilliant Tapestry of Family Bonds and Friendship and Growing Up
"Reply 1988" is not just a drama; it’s an emotional journey that takes us back to a simpler time, filled with warmth, humor, and life lessons. Directed by Shin Won-ho and starring Park Bo-gum, Hyeri, Ryu Jun-yeol, Go Kyung-pyo, Lee Dong-hwi, and the brilliant Sung Dong-il, this series beautifully captures the essence of family, friendship, and first love.■ Story & Pacing
"Reply 1988" tells the story of five childhood friends growing up in the Ssangmun-dong neighborhood of Seoul. While the series follows the classic Reply format of teasing the mystery of the female lead’s eventual husband, it is much more than a love story. It focuses on family dynamics, community bonds, and the struggles of ordinary people in the late '80s.
The pacing is deliberately slow, allowing viewers to truly immerse themselves in the characters’ lives. While some may find the episodes long, every scene serves a purpose—whether it’s making you laugh, cry, or reminisce about your own past.
■ Main Cast
(The ensemble cast is one of Reply 1988's biggest strengths)
● Hyeri delivers a career-defining performance as Deok-sun, a bright, energetic, and sometimes clueless teenager trying to find her place in the world. Her charm and comedic timing make Deok-sun one of the most lovable K-drama protagonists.
● Ryu Jun-yeol portrays Jung-hwan, the reserved and sarcastic friend whose unspoken love story tugs at the heartstrings. His subtle acting and realistic portrayal of teenage emotions make his character unforgettable.
● Park Bo-gum shines as Choi Taek, the quiet and genius baduk (Go) player. His soft-spoken nature, innocence, and unwavering love make him one of the most endearing characters in the series. Park Bo-gum’s nuanced performance captures Taek’s emotional depth, making his presence unforgettable.
● Go Kyung-pyo as Sun-woo and Lee Dong-hwi as Dong-ryong bring their own charm, humor, and emotional depth to the group, rounding out the perfect friend dynamic.
*Each character is richly developed, making it impossible not to root for them.
■ Production & Cinematography
The production team perfectly recreates the 1980s, from fashion and hairstyles to the smallest details in set design. The cinematography is warm and nostalgic, enhancing the drama’s cozy and sentimental atmosphere. The soundtrack, featuring iconic 80s Korean songs, further elevates the experience, making viewers feel like they’ve stepped back in time.
■ Supporting Cast
Beyond the main group, this drama boasts one of the most well-rounded supporting casts in K-drama history. The parents*, in particular, steal the show.
● Sung Dong-il (as Deok-sun’s father) is outstanding, as always. His ability to seamlessly shift from comedy to deep, emotional moments is a testament to his acting prowess. Whether he’s scolding his kids or shedding tears of gratitude, he brings raw authenticity to the role.
● Lee Il-hwa, as Deok-sun’s mother, delivers a heartfelt performance, portraying the sacrifices and worries of a working-class mom.
● Kim Sung-kyun, playing Jung-hwan’s father, is a standout in his own right. While he initially appears to be a clumsy and awkward man, his character is layered with deep love and care for his family. His transformation throughout the drama—from a humble, hardworking man to one of the most lovable father figures—adds depth to the show’s portrayal of parenthood. His comedic chemistry with Ra Mi-ran (who plays his wife) is pure gold, providing some of the most hilarious yet heartwarming moments in the series. Kim Sung-kyun and Hyeri’s on-screen dynamic is one of the drama’s cutest relationships.
*Every supporting cast feels real, making Ssangmun-dong feel like a second home for viewers.
■ Final Verdict
"Reply 1988" is not just a drama—it’s an experience. It masterfully blends comedy, romance, and family drama into a story that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. The entire cast shines, the storytelling is exceptional, and the nostalgic atmosphere makes it one of the best K-dramas of all time. The series leaves a lasting impact, reminding viewers of the importance of family, friendship, and the simple joys of life.
☆My Favourite Sung Dong-il☆
Sung Dong-il’s performance is a true standout, anchoring the series with his warmth and emotional depth. His and Hyeri’s on-screen dynamic as father and daughter is one of the drama’s most touching relationships. Despite their constant bickering and comedic misunderstandings, their bond is one of unconditional love. The way Deok-sun slowly realizes her father’s quiet sacrifices for their family adds an emotional weight that makes their scenes especially moving.
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