Reply 1988 (2015-2016)

Where were you on September 17, 1988? If you were a Korean living in Korea at the time—whether in Seoul, in a small town, or even abroad—you were probably gathered around the television with your family, watching 서울 올림픽 개막식 (the opening ceremony of the 1988 Seoul Olympics). It was a moment of national pride, with the entire country unified, hopeful, and just a little emotional. That very moment anchors the heart of Reply 1988 (응답하라 1988) one of the most beloved Korean dramas of all time—a series that feels less like a show and more like a shared memory. 

응답하라 1988 is the third installment of the Reply series (following Reply 1997 and Reply 1994) and continues its signature blend of coming-of-age storytelling and rich cultural nostalgia. Set in 1988—nicknamed 쌍팔년도, a retro slang term for “’88 year”—the show follows five teenage friends and their families who live on the same small 골목 (alley) in 쌍문동 (Ssangmun-dong), a real neighborhood in northern Seoul. While Springfield defined The Simpsons, Reply 1988’s setting is equally vivid, but grounded in real geography, history, and emotional resonance.

The term 이웃사촌 (literally, “neighbor cousins”) captures the essence of life in 쌍문동: neighbors close enough to feel like extended family. From sharing meals and raising each other’s kids to looking out for one another’s emotional well-being, this neighborhood reflects the kind of communal care that’s slowly vanishing from urban life. In one early scene, we see kids running back and forth between houses, delivering 반찬 (side dishes) from one kitchen to another like a relay team. Few words are exchanged, but everything is understood—generosity, familiarity, and a sense of belonging. The Banchan Shuffle

Everyday spaces in the show carry layers of meaning. Deok-sun’s family lives in a 반지하, a semi-basement unit beneath Jung-hwan’s home, quietly reflecting class differences in a time when such realities were acknowledged but not always spoken aloud. Outside their home sits a 평상, a low wooden platform where neighborhood mothers prepare vegetables, gossip, laugh, and lean on each other. Down the alley is a narrow 계단 (stairway) beside a 전봇대 (utility pole), a recurring location where friends and families fight, make up, confess feelings, and say goodbye.

Then there’s Taek’s room (택이방)—not “Taek’s house,” but always “Taek’s room.”

It becomes the hideout and heart of the friend group, known as the “둘리 일당” (Dooly Gang), a nickname referencing the beloved 만화영화 (comic) 아기공룡 둘리, (Dooly the Little Dinosaur, 1987-1988), also set in 쌍문동. Like the Scooby Gang in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, these five friends hang out there constantly: they eat ramen, watch movies, play 부루마불 (Blue Marble, a Korean version of Monopoly), read comics, and sometimes even sleep over. Taek’s room becomes their second home, a shared cocoon of adolescence. 

As they grow older and prepare for university entrance exams, they start frequenting a 독서실 (study room) ironically named “자지마” (“Don’t Sleep”), where they mostly nap. Meanwhile, the “브라질 떡볶이집,” a humble 분식집 (snack bar), becomes their post-school hangout, where spicy tteokbokki is served alongside laughter, gossip, and teen angst. Each of these spaces holds layers of growing pains, friendships, and fleeting joy.

What makes Reply 1988 so remarkable is its texture—the layers of history, emotion, and cultural references packed into every scene. From Hong Kong noir films to 금성 텔레비전 (Goldstar TVs), 마이마이 (Mymy) cassette players, VHS tapes, old ice cream packaging, and chocolate wrappers, the visual world is soaked in nostalgia. The soundtrack deepens this further: Deok-sun’s theme song, “소녀” (A Little Girl) by 이문세 (1985), appears both in its original version and in a modern remake by 혁오. Bo-ra’s storyline features the same dual treatment with “보라빛 향기” (Violet Fragrance) by 강수지 (1990). And the emotional weight of the parents’ stories is often underscored by 전인권’s “걱정말아요 그대” (Don't Worry), with both the original (2004) and 이적’s remake used to powerful effect.

Even the language captures generational shifts. In the late ’80s, teens used slang like 캡 (pronounced like “cap”), which meant “awesome” or “the best”—a go-to word for showing excitement or approval. Another popular phrase was 웬열, a shortened form of 웬일이야 (“what’s the matter?”), used to express surprise or disbelief, similar to today’s “No way!” or “Seriously?” These then-신조어 (newly coined expressions) echo through the characters’ everyday dialogue, offering playful linguistic snapshots of the era.

Another charming device in the show is the frame narrative, occasionally cutting to the year 2016, where adult Deok-sun and her husband are being interviewed on camera. Deok-sun is played by 이미연, one of the most iconic actresses of the ’80s, adding a clever meta-layer. In scenes set in the past, both teen and adult characters comment on 이미연’s beauty during TV commercials and dramas, while Jung-hwan clearly harbors a crush—perhaps because she reminds him of Deok-sun herself. This framing keeps viewers guessing until the end: who did Deok-sun (played by Lee Hye-ri) end up marrying—Taek (played by Park Bo-gum) or Jung-hwan (played by Ryu Jun-yeol)?

The series is also filled with subtle cultural touchstones—from 할리퀸 로맨스 (mass-market romance novels popular among teen girls), to 오락실 게임 (arcade games) like 보글보글 (Bubble Bobble) and 갤럭시 (Galaga), to the innocent excitement of first crushes on pop idols. Episode 9 captures one such moment when the Dooly Gang gathers at Jung-hwan’s house to share 갈비찜 (galbijjim, braised short ribs). Rich with soy sauce, garlic, and a hint of pear-sweetened broth, 갈비찜 is a dish typically saved for holidays or honored guests, making this meal feel particularly special. Here is a link to 갈비찜 요리법 (recipe)

In this episode, Deok-sun is eager to attend the 별밤 잼 콘서트 (Starry Night's Jam Concert), a radio-sponsored live music event, but most of the group shows little interest—except for Jung-hwan. When the two end up going together, it hints at a quiet shift in their relationship, leaving viewers to wonder whether their friendship might be turning into something more. From Jjim (찜) to Jam (쨈)

Watching Reply 1988, you begin to realize how much life can unfold in the smallest spaces—sharing quiet feelings on a stairwell, shouting across an alleyway, or crashing at the neighborhood 아지트 (go-to hideout). The show is filled with cultural and historical references, but even without catching every one, it resonates deeply. When I first watched it with American friends, I found myself frequently pausing to explain: What is 별밤 잼 콘서트? Why are they all watching 대학 가요제 (the Campus Song Festival) together? What are 유행어 (the catchphrases) from comedy skits that Jung-hwan’s father is always imitating? But even without those footnotes, the story of growing up, stumbling through adolescence, and finding your people speaks across cultures.

The series is a tribute to a slower, more connected life before smartphones and social media—a reminder that even the most ordinary moments can become extraordinary memories. Reply 1988 is a love letter to community, to chosen family, and to all the small things that end up mattering most.

🍴 Bite-Sized Korean: Idioms & Phrases

Expression 1: 손이 맵다
Literal Meaning: “The hand is spicy”
Actual Meaning: Used to describe someone who hits surprisingly hard—often said in a playful or teasing way.

Example Sentences:
• 택이가 덕선이한테: “손 진짜 매워!” (from Episode 11)
(“Your hand really stings!” Taek says to Deok-sun after getting hit.)
• 덕선이는 말랐는데 손이 엄청 매워요. 농담도 조심해서 해야 돼요.
(Deok-sun may be skinny, but she hits hard—better watch what you say when joking around.)

Expression 2: 손이 크다
Literal Meaning: “The hand is big”
Actual Meaning: Describes someone who is generous, especially when cooking or preparing things for others.

Example Sentences:
• 덕선이 엄마는 손이 커서 항상 음식을 많이 해요.
(Deok-sun’s mom always makes a ton of food—she’s so generous.)
• 정환이 엄마가 손도 크게 함박스테이크를 10인분이나 준비했대.
(Jung-hwan’s mom really went big—she made hamburger steaks for ten people.)