Five childhood friends, who all live in the same Ssangmundong neighborhood of Seoul in 1988, lean on each other to survive their challenging teen years and set a path for their futures.Five childhood friends, who all live in the same Ssangmundong neighborhood of Seoul in 1988, lean on each other to survive their challenging teen years and set a path for their futures.Five childhood friends, who all live in the same Ssangmundong neighborhood of Seoul in 1988, lean on each other to survive their challenging teen years and set a path for their futures.
- Awards
- 8 wins & 19 nominations total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'Reply 1988' is celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling, relatable characters, and emotional depth. The series captures the warmth of family, friendship, and community, focusing on meaningful moments. Its realistic portrayal of love, sacrifice, and growing up resonates universally. The nostalgic 1980s setting, detailed aesthetics, and iconic soundtrack add charm. Balancing humor with emotion, it highlights family values, friendships, and neighborhood relationships, prompting reflection.
Featured reviews
10n-54742
Actually, I am not South Korean, even I was not born in 1988. But this drama makes me feel deeply in the same way. I love them all forever.
This series made me reminisce my youth days. I can relate so much too about family, neighbors, friendship, and even the culture because korean and filipinos has so much alike when it comes to culture. It made me realize that youth days with friends are the best day of our life although we didn't know it before.
107ZEN
Initially, I would have started this review with "first of all"... but it would have been inconsistent with the tens of "first of all" I'd started with. Why? Because this Korean drama is amazingly accurate in depicting the '85-90's period and idiosyncrasies!... And this appreciation comes from a non-Korean, non-Asian, Hollywood movie-goer, >30's person. Nevertheless, I have never seen a more realistic depiction of common people and their struggles throughout that particular period. I know what I'm talking about because I've experienced it in my neighbourhood and with my family. Because of this and others more, I felt compelled to add my unacquainted review to IMDb.
Bottom line... if you really want to see some great acting (Kudos to the actors!!!) and get an amazing feel of the 85-90's (and this is coming from a non-American, non-Western point of view), I highly recommend this series!
I can't stress it enough that watching a piece that is so simple will be the one that touches your soul very closely.
If you are doubting whether you should watch this show or not because one of your friend suggested you to, TRUST THEM COMPLETELY.
I will tell you how your days will go after watching this show. First, you have to trust all the good reviews in the world and start watching. Second, you will enjoy this show starting from the first episode. Third, nobody will tell you to continue watching further, but you will anyway. Then after finishing this show, you thank your friend. Or should I say you will thank yourself because you chose to finish this show? Doesn't really matter.
I find at least 3 reasons why people are doubting this show.
First. "Isn't this show just like any other friendships movie/series?". Short answer, it's NOT. Don't get me wrong, any kind of good friendships film will definitely warm your heart, I always love friendships films. However, there are too many other treasures to talk about that you can find in this show. Role of moms, dads, admirers, crushes, dreams, siblings, fate, boys gang, girls gang, exes, education, morals, marriages. And why are they even important? Because you will then REALLY understand to be in other people's shoes.
Second. "There are not much going on in 1988, is this even relevant? Isn't this extremely boring?". Well, definitely you won't find any fancy things here. No fancy fiction things just like any other korean dramas, no major plot twist or whatsoever. My question is, why is that even a problem? Really you don't have to worry all of those questions. The show will still feel very close to us that you really want to be one of the characters. Unfortunately, rewatching the show again and again will be the only way you can make your dream come true.
Third. "I can guess the plot. There is one girl in those friendships, so it will just be triangle or rectangle love story, just like any others." Again. Please do yourself a favor not to worry these things. There are sooo many things that you can talk about rather than worrying if there is good romance aspects or not.
Last thing I want to remind you because you have arrived to this review. PLEASE. THANK. YOUR. FRIEND.
If you are doubting whether you should watch this show or not because one of your friend suggested you to, TRUST THEM COMPLETELY.
I will tell you how your days will go after watching this show. First, you have to trust all the good reviews in the world and start watching. Second, you will enjoy this show starting from the first episode. Third, nobody will tell you to continue watching further, but you will anyway. Then after finishing this show, you thank your friend. Or should I say you will thank yourself because you chose to finish this show? Doesn't really matter.
I find at least 3 reasons why people are doubting this show.
First. "Isn't this show just like any other friendships movie/series?". Short answer, it's NOT. Don't get me wrong, any kind of good friendships film will definitely warm your heart, I always love friendships films. However, there are too many other treasures to talk about that you can find in this show. Role of moms, dads, admirers, crushes, dreams, siblings, fate, boys gang, girls gang, exes, education, morals, marriages. And why are they even important? Because you will then REALLY understand to be in other people's shoes.
Second. "There are not much going on in 1988, is this even relevant? Isn't this extremely boring?". Well, definitely you won't find any fancy things here. No fancy fiction things just like any other korean dramas, no major plot twist or whatsoever. My question is, why is that even a problem? Really you don't have to worry all of those questions. The show will still feel very close to us that you really want to be one of the characters. Unfortunately, rewatching the show again and again will be the only way you can make your dream come true.
Third. "I can guess the plot. There is one girl in those friendships, so it will just be triangle or rectangle love story, just like any others." Again. Please do yourself a favor not to worry these things. There are sooo many things that you can talk about rather than worrying if there is good romance aspects or not.
Last thing I want to remind you because you have arrived to this review. PLEASE. THANK. YOUR. FRIEND.
A show means you watch you get entertained and after that you continue with the life you have, but im lost on which episode i started living with this show, culture, characters and life routine. Im broken now that its ended, too much attached and i think the reason for it can be explained as the mellowness of the show, you are peeling an orange the show is being played and a small laugh brightens your day followed by a goat sound, after a while you are attached truly.
Did you know
- TriviaThis drama featured Lee Hyeri (Deok-sun) and Park Bo-gum's (Taek) first ever kissing scenes since they debuted.
- ConnectionsSpin-off from Reply 1997 (2012)
- How many seasons does Reply 1988 have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Reply 1988
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 1h 30m(90 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
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