Reply 1988

This drama has sat high up on the rankings for long time, yet like Six Flying Dragons, is one that I have avoided. I don’t really know why, it just didn’t appeal to me, which is surprising when a few of the main cast are actors I’m familiar with. However, I decided to trust in the high ratings and watch it.

Essentially, Reply 1988 is about a small neighbourhood and the families that live there, namely five childhood friends going through the end of their high school years and growing up. Deok Seon seemed to be the main character, being the only girl, and is kind and bright, although she struggles in school. Sun Woo is a model student and perfect son to his recently widowed mother. Taek is the baby of the group, somewhat spaced out and clumsy so that the others all feel protective about him, although he is a child prodigy baduk player. Jeong Hwan and his family became rich overnight, and although he may seem emotionless, he is really very sweet. Dong Ryong is a geek more interested in girls and having fun than studying. Together, they are the closest of friends, and all their lives intertwine. Taek and Jeong Hwan both have a crush on Deok Seon, but she likes Sun Woo, who is actually in love with Deok Seon’s sister. There is a nice side story about Jeong Hwan’s brother and Deok Seon’s best friend getting together, and lots about their parents and their friendships too. It was quite funny, although jokes being punctuated with goat bleats was weird to start with.

Firstly, the episodes are long. Like, 40 to 50 minutes longer than normal. That’s basically like watching a whole other episode. It took me a long time to get through the series because of that, because I would often have to split the time up, taking me two or three days to watch an episode.

Secondly, I think this series isn’t really for international audiences. It is filled with references that made absolutely no sense to me, although sometimes I could get it when they talked about western imports, such as Hollywood films. For the most part though, a lot of the humour was centred around reminiscing about Korea in the late 80’s and early 90’s, from adverts and comedy shows, to home life and politics. Much of it went totally over my head. Although I did enjoy their little tribute to Secret Garden, which made prefect sense, being a show that aired in 2010 ...

Thirdly, the Rui Effect was strong in this one, and totally confusing as to who was actually the second male lead. I thought for sure that Deok Seon and Jeong Hwan were going to end up together at the end, and that Taek was the Rui in this case, but apparently not. Also, side note, I was not bothered at all about Jeong Hwan until I saw him in his Air Force uniform. Thinking about it now, I’m kind of angry that Jeong Hwan didn’t end up with Deok Seon from how much I was sure that he would, although I think I would have angry whatever. There was just no winner in that scenario.

I feel like Dong Ryong was sort of the forgotten main cast member as his story didn’t get padded out nearly as much as the others. It seemed like he was thrown in for comedy value, and to prevent all scenes of the boys at school just being of Sun Woo and Jeong Hwan studying like the good kids they are. I also feel like they forgot about Jeong Hwan a bit at the end too, instead focusing more on Sun Woo, Deok Seon and Taek. The last episode tried too hard to be sad and sentimental, and while we all know how much I love a series that makes me cry, everyone at a wedding getting all happy emotional just doesn’t do it for me. Also, while we are talking about negatives, why is it called Reply 1988 when most of it happens in 1989, and fair portion of it in 1994 and ending in 1996. I think there was more screen time of the flash forwards to Deok Seon and her mysterious husband in 2015 than anything in 1988.

TLDR
Although it was good, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I were a 35 year old Korean person.
Don’t be put off by the long episodes - so much happens it’s easy to break them up.
I would watch it again purely for a couple of the kiss scenes and Jeong Hwan in his uniform.