Drama Wiki
Advertisement

See also: Reply (series)

SmallWikipediaLogo This page uses content from an article at Wikipedia. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Drama Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

Reply 1988 (응답하라 1988; Eungdaphara 1988) is a South Korean television series starring Lee Hye Ri, Park Bo Gum, Go Kyung Pyo, Ryu Jun Yeol, and Lee Dong Hwi. Set in the year 1988, it revolves around five friends and their families living in the same neighborhood of Ssangmun-dong, Dobong District, Northern Seoul. It aired every Friday and Saturday from November 6, 2015, to January 16, 2016, on tvN for 20 episodes.

Reply 1988 is the third installment of tvN's Reply series. It received both critical and audience acclaim with its finale episode recording an 18.8% nationwide audience share, making it the fourth highest rated drama in Korean cable television history.

Synopsis[]

{{Quote|Take a nostalgic trip back to the late 1980s through the lives of five families and their five teenage kids living in a small neighborhood in Seoul.|Official Netflix Description[1]] Times may have been a little simpler, less technological, but still just as challenging to get through a typical day of life in the late 1980s. Five childhood friends, who all live in the same Ssangmundong neighborhood of Seoul, lean on each other to survive their challenging teen years and set a path for their futures.

Sung Deok Sun (Lee Hye Ri) struggles for attention as the middle child in her poor family while also carrying the burden of her 999th ranking in school.

Kim Jung Hwan (Ryu Jun Yeol) only has a one-track mind for soccer, even after his family becomes rich overnight.

Sung Sun Woo (Ko Gyung Pyo) is the perfect student, student council president and a caring and dependable son in his family.

Ryu Dong Ryong (Lee Dong Hwi) is a geek who knows more about girls and life than the rest of his friends, but his poor academic score prevents him from being able to go to college.

Choi Taek (Park Bo Gum) is a genius baduk player who dropped out of school to go professional.

As the group of friends get into and out of mischief around the neighborhood, what experiences from these memorable times together will they carry with them into their future lives?[2]

Cast[]

  • Lee Hye Ri as Sung Deok Sun / Sooyeon
    • Lee Mi Yeon as Older Sung Deok Sun
The middle child of her family, she is infamously ranked 999th in school and is the only girl in their group of five neighborhood friends.
A student council president, caring brother and dependable son to his family.
  • Ryu Joon Yeol as Kim Jung Hwan
Stoic and sarcastic, but sweet, smart and loves football.
A genius Baduk player amongst his neighbourhood friends who is mostly quiet and struggles with simple day-to-day tasks.
Loves dancing and singing, he is wise beyond his age.

  • Ryu Hye Young as Sung Bo Ra
    • Jeon Mi Seon as Older Sung Bo Ra
Duk Seon's older sister. A tough as nails college student, who always ends up with bad luck. She starts a relationship with Sun Woo.
  • Sung Dong Il as Himself
Duk Seon's father. A regular office worker who repeatedly comes home drunk and often gets fights with Il Hwa.
  • Lee Il Hwa as Herself
Duk Seon's mother. A kind woman, who spends time with the other moms.
  • Choi Sung Won as Sung No Eul
    • Woo Hyun as Older Sung No Eul
Duk Seon's younger brother. Dong Il's assistant in his schemes, whom Duk Seon says looks 37.
  • Ahn Jae Hong as Kim Jung Bong
Jung Hwan's older brother. A student who failed his college entrance exam 6 times, and spends his days collecting anything.
  • Kim Sung Kyun as Himself
Jung Hwan's father. A kind and humorous man, who Mi Ran constantly bickers with.
  • Ra Mi Ran as Herself
Jung Hwan's mother. A tough lady who is annoyed with Jung Bong and Sung Kyun.
  • Kim Joo Hyuk as Deok Sun's future husband
  • Yoo Jae Myung as Himself, Dong Ryong's father
  • Choi Moo Sung as Himself, Taek's father
  • Lee Min Ji as Jang Man Ok, Deok Sun's friend
  • Kim Sun Young as Herself
Sun Woo's mother. A kind woman who worries about Sun Woo.
  • Lee Se Young as Hwang Ji Hyun, Deok Sun's friend
  • Bae Yoo Ram as Mr. Yoo, a part of Taek's entourage
  • Song Young Jae as Mr. Lee, a part of Taek's entourage
  • Kim Seol as Sung Jin Joo
Sun Woo's younger sister, who is a toddler in 1988. Sun Woo is close with her.
  • Kim Joong Ki as Michael
  • Son San as Deok Sun's homeroom teacher
  • Oh Dong Mina as Bo Ra's university sibling
  • Choi Gyo Shik as the president of the neighborhood ice house

  • Kim Young Ok as Deok Sun's grandmother (Ep.2)
  • Jung Won Joong as Deok Sun's uncle
  • Cha Yeob as a high school senior
  • Kim Soo Ro as a restaurant owner in Jeollado (Ep.3)
  • Lee Soo Kyung as Soo Kyung, No Eul's girlfriend
  • Jung Yoo Min as Bo Ra's friend (Ep.8)
  • Kim Tae Hoon as Choi Hyun Sung, Jung Bong's doctor (Ep.8)
  • Park Jung Min as Bo Ra's boyfriend (Ep. 8-9)
  • Park Ji Yoon as Reporter Park (Ep.7)
  • Lee Moon Jung as Soo Kyung's older sister
  • Song Young Kyu as Lee Tae Yong, Seon Yong's older brother (Ep.9 & 20)
  • Jung Woo as Trash, Sun Woo's friend (Ep.18)
  • Go Ah Ra as Sung Na Jung (Ep.18)
  • Son Eun Seo as Mr. Yoo's girlfriend (Ep.18-20)
  • Lee Jong Hyuk as Adult Sun Woo (voice) (Ep.20)
  • Go Chang Seok as Man Ok's father (Ep. 19)
  • Shin Bi as Sung Jin Joo in 1994 (Ep.18-20)
  • Yeo Hoe Hyun as Duk Sun's blind date
  • Shim Hoon Gi as Ryu Dae Ryong, Dong Ryong's older brother
  • Park Seung Tae as Sun Woo's grandmother
  • Lee Jin Kwon as a bad student
  • Kim Dae Heung as a policeman
  • Lee Jae Wook as a music teacher
  • Hong Boo Hyang as a pharmacist
  • Im Chul Soo as a gangster
  • Yoo Ji Soo as department head Jo, Dong Ryong's mother
  • Jung Hyun Seok as an instructor
  • Shin Young Jin as Song Hee's mother
  • Lee Jae Kyoon as an university student (Ep.5)
  • Heo Seon Haeng as doctor Hwang Jeong Su
  • Jung Hae In

  • Soundtrack[]

    Main Article: Reply 1988 OST

    Episodes[]

    In this table, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

    Episode Title Aired Average audience share
    AGB Nielsen TNmS
    Episode 01 "Hand in Hand" November 5, 2015 6.118% 6.509% 6.5%
    In 1988 Seoul, Deok Sun spends her days hanging out with childhood friends and practicing her role in the upcoming Olympics opening ceremony.
    Episode 02 "One Thing You Misunderstood About Me" November 6, 2015 6.600% 7.600% 6.7%
    Choi Taek's latest win calls for a neighborhood celebration. Deok Sun and Dong Il grieve for their loved one's passing in different ways.
    Episode 03 "The Rich are Innocent, and the Poor are Guilty" November 12, 2015 7.777% 8.697% 8.6%
    Despite her disastrous dance skills, Deok Sun is determined to win a cassette player at a talent show being held during her school retreat.
    Episode 04 "Can't Help~ing" November 13, 2015 7.800% 8.600% 8.0%
    Deok Sun declares she wants to get into college, Seong Gyun nurses hurt feelings, and Taek deals poorly with losing.
    Episode 05 "Preparing for Winter" November 19, 2015 10.145% 10.282% 9.6%
    Bo Ra's participation in risky student protests upsets Dong Il. Sun Young wants to show her mother she's doing all right, even when she isn't.
    Episode 06 "The First Snow is Falling" November 20, 2015 8.900% 9.800% 8.8%
    Taek shoulders heavy pressure as he heads to China for a tournament. Deok Sun writes about experiencing first love, which Jung Hwan happens to read.
    Episode 07 "To That Person" November 26, 2015 10.200% 11.200% 10.2%
    With Christmas around the corner, everyone picks names for Secret Santa. Jung Hwan notices Deok Sun wants a pair of pink mittens.
    Episode 08 "One Warm Remark" November 27, 2015 10.900% 11.100% 10.7%
    While the Kim family braces for Jung Bong's heart surgery, Bo Ra runs into relationship trouble, and Deok Sun meets No Eul's girlfriend.
    Episode 09 "What it Means to Cross the Line" December 3, 2015 11.563% 11.861% 10.2%
    The new year comes with money trouble for Sun Young and a health scare for Moo Sung. Deok Sun gets a glimpse of Taek's life in the spotlight.
    Episode 10 "Memory" December 4, 2015 13.365% 13.793% 12.5%
    Everyone piles into Bo Ra's car to fetch Dong Ryong after he runs away from home on his birthday. Deok Sun and Taek take a detour on the way back.
    Episode 11 "Three Prophecies" December 10, 2015 12.228% 11.772% 12.3%
    The moms see a fortuneteller. Jung Hwan grapples with complicated feelings, made worse when Deok Sun and her family temporarily move into his house.
    Episode 12 "What It Means To Love Someone" December 11, 2015 13.060% 13.046% 11.8%
    Secrets abound as Sun Young keeps news about her part-time job from Sun Woo, who sneaks around with Bo Ra. Moo Sung babysits.
    Episode 13 "Superman is Back" December 17, 2015 12.858% 13.277% 12.2%
    Il Hwa gets anxious about a lump on her chest before a physical at the hospital. Taek leaves for a big competition in Tokyo.
    Episode 14 "Don't You Worry" December 18, 2015 15.133% 16.082% 13.2%
    Sun Woo doesn't like that Sun Young and Moo Sung have grown so close. Deok Sun gifts Jung Hwan a pink shirt for his birthday.
    Episode 15 "Between Love and Friendship" December 24, 2015 15.192% 16.834% 13.6%
    Deok Sun faces a harsh reality check about getting into college. Dong Ryong ends up at the police station. Seong Gyun takes a bad fall.
    Episode 16 "Life is an Irony (1)" December 25, 2015 15.372% 15.771% 12.6%
    When a TV singing competition rolls into town, Mi Ran and Dong Ryong are eager to audition. Bo Ra moves out to study for the bar exam.
    Episode 17 "Life is an Irony (2)" January 7, 2016 15.472% 16.005% 15.5%
    As Deok Sun and the boys ponder their futures, the parents discuss their own bygone dreams. Meanwhile, Taek dreams of something sweeter.
    Episode 18 "Goodbye, My First Love" January 8, 2016 17.191% 18.615% 16.2%
    It's 1994, and the friends are back in town for Taek's birthday. Deok Sun gets stood up for a concert, and Bo Ra agrees to a blind date.
    Episode 19 "You Did Your Very Best" January 14, 2016 17.597% 19.368% 17.9%
    During a layover in Beijing, Deok Sun makes sure to stop by to take care of Taek. Jung Hwan puts together a touching surprise for Mi Ran.
    Episode 20 "Goodbye, My Youth. Goodbye, Ssangmundong." January 15, 2016 18.803% 19.421% 18.4%
    While Sun Woo and Bo Ra set out to change their parents' minds about their relationship, juicy gossip about Taek turns up on the news.
    Average 12.314% 12.982% 11.775%
    Episode 00 October 30, 2015 Guide 2.996%
    Special January 2, 2016 Behind 7.021% 6.7%

    [3]

    • This drama airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).
    • The series set a record by receiving over 200 million cumulative views within a month of its official online premiere in China.
    • Episode 17 and 18 didn't air on January 1, 2016 and January 2, 2016 as originally planned. Instead, they were aired on January 8, 2016 and January 9, 2016, respectively. The delay was caused by the tight filming and editing schedule during the holidays.[4]

    International broadcast[]

    • Philippines - TV5 (September 21, 2020)

    Production[]

    Reply 1988 marked the third collaboration between director Shin Won Ho, screenwriter Lee Woo Jung and actors Sung Dong Il and Lee Il Hwa after Reply 1997 (2012) and Reply 1994 (2013). Kim Sung Kyun, who co-starred in 1994 also joined the cast. The first script-reading was held on July 8, 2015 at CJ E&M CENTER in Sangamdong, Seoul. Filming began on July 31, 2015 at a drama set in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.[4]

    Choi Taek, played by Park Bo Gum, was loosely based on the real-life Go player, Lee Chang Ho. The premise of the drama series was inspired by the MBC drama series Three Families Under One Roof which aired from November 9, 1986 through November 13, 1994.[4]

    Unlike the previous Reply series, 1988 focused more on filial bond than romance between characters with director Shin saying that most of the story was about family, and only a small fraction was about Duk Seon's love.

    Awards and nominations[]

    Year Award Category Recipient Result
    2016 16th Top Chinese Music Awards Best International Artist Park Bo Gum Won
    52nd Baeksang Arts Awards Best Drama Reply 1988 Nominated
    Best Director Shin Won Ho Won
    Best Actress Ra Mi Ran Nominated
    Best New Actor Ryu Jun Yeol Won
    Ahn Jae Hong Nominated
    Lee Dong Hwi
    Best New Actress Ryu Hye Young
    Lee Hye Ri
    Best Screenplay Lee Woo Jung
    4th Annual DramaFever Awards Best Rising Star Park Bo Gum Won
    Best Kiss Park Bo Gum & Lee Hye Ri
    11th Seoul International Drama Awards Best Miniseries Reply 1988 Nominated
    5th APAN Star Awards Best Director Shin Won Ho Won
    Best Supporting Actor Choi Moo Sung Nominated
    Best Supporting Actress Kim Sun Young
    Best New Actor Park Bo Gum Won
    Best New Actress Lee Hye Ri
    9th Korea Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Park Bo Gum Nominated
    Best New Actor Ahn Jae Hong
    Lee Dong Hwi
    Best New Actress Lee Hye Ri
    Best Original Soundtrack Lee Juck ("Don't Worry Dear")
    tvN10 Awards Grand Prize (Daesang), Drama Reply 1988 Won
    Best Content Award, Drama
    Best Actor Sung Dong Il Nominated
    Special Acting Award Won
    Asia Star Award Park Bo Gum
    Rising Star Award, Actor Ryu Jun Yeol
    Rising Star Award, Actress Lee Hye Ri
    Scene-Stealer, Actor Kim Sung Kyun
    Lee Dong Hwi Nominated
    Scene-Stealer, Actress Ra Mi Ran Won
    Kim Sun Young Nominated
    Lee Il Hwa
    Ryu Hye Young
    Made in tvN, Actor in Drama Park Bo Gum
    Ryu Jun Yeol
    Made in tvN, Actress in Drama Lee Hye Ri
    Two Star Award Go Kyung Pyo
    Best Kiss Park Bo Gum & Lee Hye Ri
    8th Melon Music Awards Best OST Oh Hyuk ("A Little Girl")
    18th Mnet Asian Music Awards Lee Juck ("Don't Worry Dear") Won
    1st Asia Artist Awards Best Rookie Award, Actor Ryu Jun Yeol
    Asia Star Award, Actor Park Bo Gum

    Trivia[]

    • This drama took over the timeslot previously occupied by Second 20s and was followed by Signal on January 22, 2016.[4]
    • Unlike the other installments, the story and characters are not related to prior series.[4]

    Gallery[]

    References[]

    Advertisement