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PART I- FAMILY

“Reply 1988” is a true masterpiece in the world of Korean dramas. For me, it’s more than just a show, it lured me in via a nostalgic journey through time. A journey that felt like it was mine. Have you ever felt that way while watching a series, a movie or reading a book?

I will be honest about myself. Before discovering “Reply 1988”, my attention was mostly on the actors in Korean TV series. It wasn’t until this incredible show that I started appreciating the brilliance of writing, screenplay, and direction. Lee Woo-jung (writer) and Shin Won-ho (director) crafted a narrative that lured me in from the first episode and kept me in till the last. “Reply 1988” was one of the first to open my eyes and to shape my taste for top-quality Korean dramas.

Why ‘Reply 1988’ is a Must-Watch Korean Drama

For anyone diving into the world of K-dramas, watching this series is a no-brainer. I was a bit skeptical if I would have the same emotions and reactions as I did during my first viewing. But the laughter, tears, choking sadness and sheer joy came rushing back. As I revisited this mega-series for my blog, it hit home why “Reply 1988” is an essential part of my K-drama list.

A Walk Down Memory Lane with ‘Reply 1988’

The set design of “Reply 1988” is so authentic and relatable that it felt like a portal back to the 1980s—a time I was born in (not sure how people from the subsequent decades would react to this series). It brought back countless memories from my own childhood. Growing up through the 80s and 90s, I found the references and settings deeply personal and nostalgic.

The series perfectly captures the essence of neighbourly support and friendship, set against the backdrop of a simpler era and a simpler life. Who would have thought then that life was simple and could get more complicated?

Take our first television set, for example—a coloured Sony TV bought in 1984. With just two channels, it would go static every time the antenna moved. Imagine the monsoon rains and winds in Mumbai, and my dad running to the terrace (where all antennas are located) to adjust the antenna, especially during a crucial over in a cricket match. Hilarious now, but back then, not.  It had these buttons instead of a remote control, so someone (usually me) had to get up to change channels. I vividly remember sitting so close to the screen that my dad joked I might just end up inside the TV.

We also had an old gasoline stove for cooking. I can still see my mom patiently pumping it to light the fire, with the smell of gasoline filling the kitchen. That was the real slow-cooked food for you. I can visualise her joy when she would have got our first two-burner stove —we could cook two dishes at once! Talk about a revolution!

Oh, and the telephone! The excitement was at its peak when our family finally got one, along with most of our friends and relatives,(I think my dad called up each and every relative with the excuse of telling them our new phone number). We memorised each other’s numbers and arranged specific times to call so no one else would be on the line. Multiple extensions meant you could sneakily listen to conversations—though most kids had super hearing back then and could hear that specific click when another phone was picked up.

‘Reply 1988’:The Unforgettable Dialogues

The witty dialogues, comic timing and one-liners had me barking with laughter. And by ‘bark laugh,’ I mean those short bursts of laughter that escape when you are both amazed and amused. You get the point, right? 😉

The Heart of ‘Reply 1988’: Relationships

But what truly sets “Reply 1988” apart are the beautifully crafted relationships—both the familial ties and the friendships. They add several layers of depth and authenticity to the storyline. I’ll dive into the beautiful friendships in my next post, as they deserve a special section of their own, just like the family dynamics. Stay tuned for it!

Incredible Casting and Sibling Dynamics in ‘Reply 1988’

The casting in “Reply 1988” is outstanding, perfectly fitting into the world of 1980s. Did I wish to join Deok-sun’s gang—to ponder on next time ;). Lee Hye-ri shines as Deok-sun, taking on the character of a hilarious, carefree, and not-so-studious teenager. Her character’s dynamic with her elder sister, Sung Bo-ra (Ryu Hye-young), has such a striking resemblance to my dynamics with my own big sister, it felt unreal. Watching their bickering and physical fights brought back memories of my sister’s stinging smacks—the most painful thing ever!

Till I was around 5 or 6, I was my sister’s constant shadow, often shoved into her company by our dear mother. She couldn’t stand it because I slowed her down—my little legs just couldn’t keep up with her friends. They role-played as the Famous Five from Enid Blyton’s books, and guess who got the honour to be the dog, Timothy? Yup, that was me.

Just like Deok-sun, I got my sister’s hand-me-down clothes and envied her stylish big girl outfits. I would sneakily wear them when she wasn’t around, carefully putting them back in their exact spots (a carefully developed skill in covering my tracks). Eventually, she would sometimes let me borrow her beautiful clothes out of saintly kindness, which I would inevitably ruin, leading to many oh many tearful apologies.

Family Bonds in ‘Reply 1988’

Deok-sun, Bo-ra, and No-eul (played by Choi Sung-won) portray a realistic three-sibling family. Bo-ra, the bossy elder sister, runs the show, while No-eul, the youngest (and weirdly, the most mature-looking), often ends up being the scapegoat. Deok-sun’s expressive and dramatic nature brings joy and chaos wherever she goes. As a middle child, she plays the tragic middle-child syndrome of being overlooked, a state I need to ask some middle-child people if it is indeed true.

Sung Dong-il and Lee Il-hwa excellently portray as the parents in a traditional family of five. The contrast between Deok-sun’s friendly, comical relationship with her father and Bo-ra’s serious, awkward interactions with him is striking. I would think my sister and I had similar relationships with my father but I would always feel she’s more closer to our mother. Dong-il’s wisdom, especially when he tells Deok-sun that his dream is for his children to achieve theirs, struck me. It reminded me of how my parents’ dreams shifted and adapted to revolve around us, their children. Like Deok-sun, I often wish and tell my parents to pursue their own dreams while we pursue ours.

Choi Taek’s Family: A Touching Single Father-Child Bond

Choi Taek (Park Bo-gum) and his father, Choi Moo-sung, have an incredible, attentive relationship. Their bond, as a single parent raising a Go (a complex strategy board game) genius, makes me wonder, how difficult it would be to learn and understand what a child wants as a single parent and to understand what a single parent needs as an only child. Taek’s bright smile and innocent eyes is again kudos to a brilliant casting and acting, balancing naivety with genius. His character is both mature and immature, and lights up the screen to capture everyone’s affection.

The Ra Mi-ran Family: Comedy and Heart

The Ra Mi-ran family, nicknamed after the queen Ra Mi-ran, could have their own 24/7 reality show, and I would binge-watch it without a doubt. Mi-ran’s range of expressions—from frustration at her husband Kim Sung-kyun’s antics, to worry for her eldest son Jung-bong’s (Ahn Jae-hong, he is an acting icon for me) academic struggles, to pride mixed with awkwardness at her youngest son Jung-hwan’s (Ryu Jun-Yeol)success—is comedic GOLD.

You cannot take your eyes off Sung-kyun and his iconic “Kim sa-ja” lines makes me bark-laugh every time. He reminds me of my J uncle who would light up the entire room with his presence and comic one-liners. We all miss his laughter terribly. Living the every day mundane life with a sense of humour is such a refreshing change and it makes me want to live such a life.

Sung Sun-woo’s Family: A Modern Twist on Tradition

Sung Sun-woo (Go Kyung-po) and his single mom, Kim Sun-young, share a close, almost friend-like relationship. Sun-woo’s maturity and understanding of his mom’s need for companionship, despite his own struggles, is very touching. The way they talk to each other about every little thing they experience keeps her loneliness away. I do tend to envy my friends and my partner who can effortlessly talk about mundane things with their parents, something I find difficult to do.

Ryu Dong-ryong: The Wise and Witty Friend

Ryu Dong-ryong (Lee Dong-hwi) is a riot and a friend you should have—he is hilariously scared of his father, the school dean and childishly longs for his mother’s food. With two working parents in the 80s, his family offers a progressive glimpse into balancing careers and family life. The father’s supportive presence and the mother’s career-driven role showcase a modern household.

We are a family of four with my mother working at home and in an office. I used to eagerly await her return from office and dive into her bag to see if there are any goodies for me. When she worked on Saturdays, I used to miss her as soon as she left, so I completely related to Dong-ryong feelings for his mom. I used to be so proud of having a working mom that I will not exchange it for anything. It has shaped me into the person I am today.

The Heart of ‘Reply 1988’: Believable Relationships

A scene that made me choke was when Deok-sun’s father tells her that they also became parents for the first time. They are not perfect but they will do their best so their kids should cut them some slack. It makes one realise how much our parents juggle and struggle just to give us the life they had dreamed for us. Here is to all the parents!

“Reply 1988’s” intricate family relationships made me reflect on my relationships. The bonds between sisters, between parents and daughters, are so real that they resonate deeply. Whether it’s the comedic, dramatic, tragic or tender moments, every interaction feels relatable, making “Reply 1988” a timeless K-drama.

What were your favorite family moments in “Reply 1988”? Share your thoughts—I would love to hear your experiences and connections to this series.

lured into k-dramas