Reply 1988

Delightful, heartwarming, beautiful, and never dull.

This drama took me back in time - mix tapes. rubiks cubes, going crazy for stars, reading trashy teenage smut... I could go on and on. The same teenage experience, just on the other side of the world from me. Even the fashion was recognizable. The storytelling device of having their older selves being interviewed gave the feeling that everything in the past was simply reminiscing about their journey into adulthood, which gave it a pleasant feeling,. Just for the nostalgia alone this is easily worth 10 stars, but it is so much more than just that.

The thing that struck me the most about this drama was the sense of community. This is not the first time I have found this in a Korean drama, but every time it moves me a lot, and every time it is presented in a different way. Here in this alley there were clearly people better off than others, but at no time was this division made into a wedge to drive people apart - everyone shared. Food, house chores, watching children, gossip, laughter, tears, troubles - this is a list that could go on and on. The adults shared a bond, and so did the kids. The flashback scenes of them all as very small children growing up together made it easy to see why they were all so close. In this drama the community was essentially one big family - emphasized by the fact that they called for all the neighbors to jump into the family photo.

The acting was superb. The young people were all so well-performed that it was a particularly immersive show - they truly seemed like kids just living their daily lives. They were not all perfect students or perfectly behaved, but they were all good to one another and to the people around them. The adults were played nicely also, all with humanizing quirks and well-developed personalities.

The music was nice; presumably comprised of Korean songs well-suited to the late eighties to mid-nineties. In general it did not pull me in as much as other aspects of the show did since it wasn't the popular music of my youth, but it was all quite enjoyable anyway.

Definitely a show worth watching - despite the long episodes I kept not wanting to stop because the story is so compelling.

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An excellent portrayal of love, family, and friendship from a small fragment of the past

Masterfully depicted journey back in time, this drama successfully evoked feelings of nostalgia and deep emotions of joy mixed with sorrow within me, especially when one becomes aware of the passage of time and the realization that everything that once was can no longer be reclaimed. Yet, in the end, only love remains.

Story: 10.0
Through the portrayal of the lives of several families, encompassing their struggles, challenges, moments of bliss, failures, successes, first loves, and heartaches, the narrative seamlessly transports us to the year 1988, during the Olympic Games in Korea. It grants us a glimpse and a sense of the prevailing atmosphere of that era. A captivating narrative unfolds, beautiful story of love, family, friendship, and the transformative journey to adulthood.

Actors: 10.0
The cast delivered an outstanding performance, effectively transmuting emotions from the television screen to captivate the audience in a truly remarkable manner.

Music: 9.0
Even though it's fitting into the general atmosphere that prevails throughout the series, I give it 9.0

Re-watch: 10.0
The profound impact this series can leave on the viewer suggests that it has great potential for repeated viewings, making it a timeless show to revisit in the future.

I wholeheartedly recommend this show.

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“Reply 1988” isn’t just a drama — it’s a love letter to youth, family, and the ordinary moments that shape our lives. It doesn’t rely on flashy twists or exaggerated emotions. Instead, it finds beauty in the small things: shared meals, quiet streets, laughter echoing through a neighborhood, and the comfort of people who truly know you.

Set in late-1980s Seoul, the show beautifully recreates an era before smartphones and social media — when human connection was real, messy, and irreplaceable. Every character feels like someone you’ve known forever. The parents are just as memorable as the kids, each written with warmth, flaws, and depth. Their stories intertwine seamlessly, reminding us that life is built not on grand events but on everyday kindness and love.

The cast is phenomenal. Hyeri brings genuine emotion and humor as Deok-sun, while Ryu Jun-yeol and Park Bo-gum deliver unforgettable performances filled with quiet longing and friendship. The chemistry among the five friends is so natural that it feels unscripted.

What truly sets “Reply 1988” apart is how it balances laughter and tears. It makes you smile one minute and cry the next — not because it manipulates your feelings, but because it reflects real life.

By the final episode, you don’t just finish a show — you say goodbye to a family you’ve grown to love. “Reply 1988” is comforting, sincere, and timeless. A masterpiece that reminds us to treasure the people and moments that make life worth living.

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Anemoia; nostalgia for a time or place you never have experienced.
I saw this word on the internet a while ago and instantly thought of reply1988. I was born in 2000 and never lived in korea but watching this always makes me feel nostalgic. Simpler times, simpler problems, the sweet innocence of youth, joyful shared experiences, warm families and honest friendships. I've watched way too many kdramas in my life time to be considered healthy and I consider this one as my all time favorite for its insane re-watchability. the story telling is incredible and the actors do amazing job playing their characters. there is no filler character as they all add something to the story and it has great pacing
watched the other 2 of reply trilogies after this one and that was kind of a mistake. if you want to watch all of them I suggest to watch 1988 one the last as its the best one out of the three. reply1988 is the only one which take the "who could be the husband' mystery seriously and the actors are way better. I'm not gonna lie I was suffering with a huge 2nd lead syndrome first time around but made peace with it real quick.

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An ode to youth and friends

Reply 1988 is like a cup of warm tea on a cold morning, the kind of drink that warms your soul. Nothing can compare to all the emotions that you feel while watching this drama. Let's talk about the drama now (It'll be a little long :D)

CHARACTERS:
The main reason why this drama feels like home is because of the whole cast who does exceptioanlly well in portraying their respective characters. And that includes all the members of Ssangmun dong neighborhood. My favorite character in this series has to be Jung hwan cause he is the type of person who may not be vocal about their love but will show it through their actions and I can relate to that. Tbh, I fell in love with him. The confession scene and all the scene he had with Deok sun made me cry so much cause there was so much love and hurt in his eyes that my heart ache for him. And that is the reason I initially dropped this series in 1st episode. Talking about Deok sun, Hyeri is perfect for the cast. The funny, carefree and loving nature she had in this drama was so heartwarming. Taek is just so pure and innocent. He was well loved and taken care by everyone and he was very steady about his feelings fro Deok sun too. Sun woo is the ideal son who cares so much about his mom and sister. Although he had some hard time accepting Moo-sung, he never hated him or Taek. And lastly, one of my favorite character of this drama which is Dong ryong literally did so good cause he is funny yet emotionally mature given he doesn't receive much attention from his parents. Whenever he popped up in any scene, I just laughed cause his acting and role is so fit for each other. Though most of you might have hated Bora during first episodes, she is not evil or aloof. She is just that way cause she has to be a strong independent woman to make her family live a good life in future. Also she softened alot in later episodes. My next favorite character in this series is Jung Bong. He's hilarious and his dumb yet fascinating hobbies made the series really funny. And kudos to Miran, Il-hwa, Sun-young, Moo-sung, Dong-il, Seong-gyun and Jae myung for being the perfect cast ever.

STORY:
The story of this series is about youth and friendship of 5 people who grew up together in the same neighborhood and the changes they face as they grow up. It was really heartwarming to see how 5 of them were so close to each other. The bond they had was so wholesome. Also, I loved how Miran and Seong gyun never thought of others as inferior although they were well off. They always helped the others and made sure everyone was fed. That is what I loved about this drama. The three ladies of Ssangmun-dong: Miran, Il-hwa and Sun-young sharing so much love and food with each other and never having any evil thoughs towards each other.
Also the love triangle in this story is heartbreaking but you will never ever hate any of them. I dropped this drama in first episode cause JH and DS was not the end game. But as I picked up the drama and continued to watch it, I realized that it was never about them really. Yes, there was plot of romance, but this drama is much more than the love triangle. This drama navigates through friendship, relation between parents and children, moving out of the house, financial issues and romance. Everything that we experience in our youth is what is shown in this drama. And I bet you will cry so much in most of the episodes. I have never cried so much in a drama before. And especially the last scene of last episode is such a tearjerker. And I just relaised that the last scene of last episode and first scene of first episode is same. The way I cried so hard during both is unimaginable. Also when whole neighborhood moves out, I felt so empty inside as if I was the one moving away from them. But this is life, we cannot be around the same people forever. Eventually, some will leave and some will stay.

This drama is a must watch cause this drama has perfect balance of happiness, comedy, sadness, anger, hesitation and love. Nothing will stay same in our life. We will pass our youth age and when we look back, we realize that it's the people that made our youth the way it is. Cheers to our youth where we made new friends, fell in love for the first time, had rebelling thoughts against our family and experienced a heartbreak. Now as we pass our youth, we have left some people in the past but carried their memories with us. But we all remember our youth, the memories we created and the love we had. This drama reminisces about our youth and maybe that is why we feel empty once this drama finishes.

Lastly, thank you to Reply 1988 for giving us such a heartwarming drama where we rememebr our youth, which will never come back but we'll revisit it time and again. Thank you to all the casts who gave justice to this drama and the crew involed in this drama.

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Not Just a Drama, But a Warm Hug from the Past

Reply 1988 is not just a drama about love or friendship — it’s a heartfelt journey through family, community, and the small things in life that truly matter. The story is simple, yet deeply meaningful, blending laughter and tears in the most natural way.

Every character feels alive and relatable, as if they’re your own neighbors or childhood friends. From the random funny moments, the heartwarming family dinners, to the unspoken love of parents — everything is portrayed so beautifully and sincerely.

For me, this drama is pure healing. It reminds us that happiness often lies in the little things: shared meals, warm hugs, and the presence of loved ones.

? Rating: 10/10 (honestly, if I could, I’d give it 1000/10 ?).
One of the best dramas ever made — timeless, heartwarming, and unforgettable.

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no other words needing:it changed my life

I’m sure I will watch this drama with the same pure emotions every time. Even if I lose my memory and watch it again, every time I watch it, it feels like the first time, and I experience every emotion anew. With those pure, sincere feelings, I rediscover each scene. But even if I forget this drama over time (which is impossible), it will always have a very special place in my heart, and every time I watch it, I return to those emotions. Each time I watch it feels like a discovery, and I feel the same magic again. Every time I watch it, I think, “I’m a person from the wrong era.” The time we’re in now feels so wrong to me.

My friends always say, “You’re rich, but your soul is poor.” I completely agree with them. I have such small, simple dreams filled with pure happiness, and I don’t have my eyes set on big things. The biggest influence on me is this drama. It has made me experience the times I didn’t live through so beautifully. Whether it’s the nostalgic feeling, or the family and friendship bonds, no one can surpass this drama.

Each scene was so heart-wrenching when it needed to be, and so warming when it needed to be. But the scene at Bo-ra’s wedding, where her father wore the shoes Bo-ra bought for him and had to put a napkin behind because they were too big, I was in tears. I remember crying until I couldn’t breathe, and then the letter her father wrote to her in the car. I’m even crying while writing this, haha.

These lives are all real. Believe me, all of us are surrounded by people and bonds like these. Maybe we are one of them too.

Our youth is so beautiful. One day, we will miss these days so much, but just like Ssangmundong, we won’t find it again. We will all go down different paths. Who knows, maybe one day we won’t even remember each other...

“When I went back in search of our neighborhood street, the street had aged so much. You could feel that the time had passed. I can’t go back to my youth, or to this street. They are both the same. Time will always flow. Everything will pass by. That might be why youth is beautiful. It shines, blindingly bright, for just an instant. But you can never go back to it. In that place, where we won’t be able to gather like that again, I regret being unable to say my final farewell. To the things that are already gone, to a time that has already passed, I want to say a belated farewell. Goodbye, my youth. Goodbye, Ssangmundong.”
– Deok-sun

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