Reply 1988 Episode 1
Added 2025-02-08 15:00:13 +0000 UTC"Hand in Hand"
Unfortunately the copy we watched from episodes 1, 2 and 3 were blurred, just letting you know here before it gets commented! Sorry!
Comments
This is a completely Korean drama so it would be hard for foreigners to understand, but how did you react!! You guys are amazing👍
B ernhard
2025-05-28 12:23:41 +0000 UTCI found the goat effect hilarious when I watched the show for the first time, but watching it now - it is annoying 🥲 maybe you had to be there for the hype 🤷
Yuki
2025-03-08 13:34:01 +0000 UTCIf foreigners have any questions about Korean culture while watching dramas, I’d love to explain them in detail. I enjoy doing things like this.☺🍀
노랑ㅎㅐ
2025-02-09 17:16:41 +0000 UTCWow thanks for explaining in detail!
Priyanka Banerjee
2025-02-09 12:07:20 +0000 UTCWell he close with V from bts because he used to be MC for music shows. Some of rookie actors usually starts their career by being MC to gain popularity especially music shows
Maira Lovanne
2025-02-09 09:11:02 +0000 UTCPark bogum is not an idol. He starts with small roles in movies and dramas then starts to blew up with this drama and got lovecall from variety shows.
Maira Lovanne
2025-02-09 09:06:19 +0000 UTCIt's best to watch it on Viki so you can get a cultural and language context
rose
2025-02-08 22:59:59 +0000 UTCThe blurring isn't a problem, but make sure to avoid the Netflix version at all cost, their subtitles spoil a major plot point due to using a character's name instead of terms like noona, hyung, sunbea, etc. ---(edited to add) When the show was on air, nothing was blurred out, same thing with the online exclusive version on Dramafever (RIP); Viki and Netflix just went with the cheaper option (blurred version), which is just sad.
Genevieve
2025-02-08 22:33:53 +0000 UTCActually, the drama’s writer and director have said that it will be very difficult to produce any new installments in the “Reply” series. The reason is that ever since these dramas aired, many elements have been blurred out, and the original soundtracks have been replaced with other, strange pieces of music. Moreover, everything—from Olympic footage, Korean news clips, and vintage snacks and food products to various other items—now requires copyright fees, and these fees are reportedly far more astronomical than we had ever imagined. In particular, for the Olympic footage in Reply 1988, the copyright licenses aren’t permanent but only last for a few years. That’s why only re-broadcasts with the footage blurred are available on OTT platforms. If another installment of the Reply series were to be made in Korea, it would probably be set in the 2000s. As a Korean, I truly want to see Reply 2000 more than anyone. ㅠㅠㅠ However, in reality, they say that the likelihood of a new series being produced is very slim. It’s so sad. The director said that the biggest obstacle to producing a new series is copyright. On another note, in an actual case, when a Korean TV show tried to use archival footage of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, they contacted the association about the copyright fees and were told it costs 2 million won per second.
노랑ㅎㅐ
2025-02-08 21:59:18 +0000 UTC☑️ The name “Deok-seon” is actually a very old-fashioned name. Deok-seon’s older sister’s name, “Bora,” means “purple” in English, so it sounds pretty, and her younger sibling’s name, “No-eul,” means “sunset,” which is also beautiful. But Deok-seon’s name sounds like a grandmother’s name. Although the name “Deok-seon” is old-fashioned, it’s not a name that her parents just made up! Unlike “Bo-ra” and “No-eul,” which are pure Korean names, Deok-seon’s name is derived from Chinese characters (Hanja). It also has a good meaning—it seems to signify virtue and kindness. So while it may sound old-fashioned, the meaning behind the name is quite nice.
노랑ㅎㅐ
2025-02-08 21:40:09 +0000 UTCShin pd's dramas have this certain vibe that you have to get used to. It's not like typical kdramas, there isn't anything crazy happening, it's more about characters and their daily lives, relationships, feelings & etc. It's that type of drama that you can relate to because most of people have parents, siblings, friends, first crush, first love, hardships and more.
Sammy 123
2025-02-08 21:26:58 +0000 UTCReply 1997 came first, then Reply 1994 and last 1988, eventhough Reply 1988 is the most popular one, both other shows did very well too, not to talk about how Reply 1997 was one of the first dramas that made TvN (As a channel) break through mainstream. After that TvN become bigger and bigger producing better and better dramas. Seems like Reply 2000's will be coming in few years. At this point we are old enough to feel nostalgic of that time and younger generation is young enough to be curious about that time. Shin pd even said he would like to cast Lee Youngji for next reply series: "We are even considering using Youngji as the lead in the next Reply series.” so I guess you can kinda sense what type of female leads does all Reply series have
Sammy 123
2025-02-08 21:18:52 +0000 UTC☑️ This was a time when the president ruled through military dictatorship. (No spoilers) I’m including this information so that you can better understand the historical backdrop of the drama. It was an era when university students and working professionals actively engaged in democratic movements in response to the dictatorship. The 1980s were a period of significant democratic movements and political change in Korea. Back then, many university students—especially—took to the streets to protest, aiming to overthrow a corrupt regime and reclaim democracy. Even students from Seoul National University, one of Korea’s top 0.1% schools, participated in these protests. The government, which trampled on democracy and oppressed its citizens, cracked down harshly on the demonstrators. Authorities went so far as to frame protesting students—some were killed and others were imprisoned. (Of course, after the regime changed, everyone who had been imprisoned was eventually released.) You can see these themes depicted in the film 1987, starring actress Kim Tae-ri. In the era portrayed in Reply 1988, just a few years earlier a student lost their life while protesting—struck by a tear gas grenade fired on government orders. The police, acting like the regime’s lapdogs, unjustly beat and even killed protesting citizens. It was indeed a grim time. ☑️ Yes, the “Ji-Mann” shown in the Moving scene is correct. In Reply 1988, the humorous antics performed by the character (who shares his real name), Kim Sung-kyun, are what we call “dad jokes” in Korean—akin to American-style dad jokes. Hahaha, I absolutely love seeing your confused expressions! (in the most positive way) ☑️ Back then, neighbors were very close. If an emergency arose, you’d leave your child or even your house with a neighbor! Every evening, people would share side dishes with one another. This was a part of traditional Korean culture. I wonder if America ever had a similar sense of community—or how it was in other countries.
노랑ㅎㅐ
2025-02-08 20:42:04 +0000 UTCI love Hospital Playlist so I was really looking forward to this; however, the 1st episode didn’t hit for me. I didn’t really attach with any character and thought the script/acting was over the top. Hoping that it settles and finds its voice and groove.
Traci
2025-02-08 20:19:43 +0000 UTCI watched this show originally when it aired. It was not blurred. I don't know if the rules changed afterwards, but the blurring came much later. It's a pity!
Flora
2025-02-08 19:43:43 +0000 UTCI hope they react to his upcoming drama with IU as well.
Manha
2025-02-08 19:36:52 +0000 UTCMichol is a character both here and reply 1994 by the way
Lina
2025-02-08 19:05:44 +0000 UTC42:47 Going Hong-Kong means getting orgasms
rose
2025-02-08 18:56:47 +0000 UTCOMG omg omg finally reply1988 Thank you so much
Lina
2025-02-08 18:28:41 +0000 UTCYes, I'm not Korean and was born in 1997 but I still found quite some relationships and themes relatable! I just love how the relationships are built
Priyanka Banerjee
2025-02-08 18:28:15 +0000 UTCWell the beauty of this drama is that many watchers have found it nostalgic despite not being Korean or being born during that timeline...me included. The nolstagia is not from the culture but from the relationships. For example, as a middle kid, with an older sis, and a younger bro, this episode really got me lol. I felt seen. The writer is really a genius in psychology and relationships. It's one of the reasons really wanted you guys to watch it. Cause you always dissect relationships very well
Rita리리
2025-02-08 17:30:37 +0000 UTCThe Reply series and all the other works of the director/producer and writer (Hospital Playlist, Prison Playbook) are the type of dramas that would really take their time to build the world, so it is really a slow start. I think that is their formula, each episode I would say from Ep 1-4 is like peeling layers of the characters and will give you enough reason to watch the next episode. It is entertaining enough to be invested for the next few episodes, but once the main story picks up, and IT WILL pick up, because during those slow episodes where they really took their time in building the characters, planted some seeds that will payoff in future episodes. When I say future, I mean really 3-4 episode in the future or even sometimes by the end of the series. Without even realizing you are fully invested in the story. There are a lot of times as you watch you might find a plot may not be interesting, but by the end of the series or when you rewatch it, it will make sense. I think this series has also a high rewatchability because you will then have a different perspective on each episode after you've seen the full series. I agree , the goat sounds is kinda annoying at first, but you just have to accept it because it is like the signature sound of all Reply series... You'll get used to it... But I guess it is a signal that if you hear it, the scene has a funny context whether you understood the reference or not Fun fact: The intro song not sure if yourecognize it, but it was the same song in Squid Game 2 during the six-legged pentathlon
Joev Tan
2025-02-08 17:26:05 +0000 UTCme too
Rita리리
2025-02-08 17:17:31 +0000 UTClol! the goat sound effect is here to stay. and its a signature in all Reply dramas. When I first watched this, I thought it was too long. But when I finished the last episode, I was in tears, crying for more
Rita리리
2025-02-08 17:15:44 +0000 UTCI watched this drama more than ten times.
Winini
2025-02-08 17:11:40 +0000 UTCReply 1994 is also my favorite.
Winini
2025-02-08 17:06:24 +0000 UTCFinally! so glad I get to watch this precious gem with you guys.
Rita리리
2025-02-08 17:04:50 +0000 UTCRegarding the blur I have seen another reactor also react to this recently and even they had blurred copies. Also since I have watched the unblurred one when I watched it way back, another thing I noticed is that they have even replaced some songs with some random BGM. (Songs which are not OST but a cultural reference.) Btw even the OSTs are remakes of older 80s songs. And yes this is the third installment. Reply 1997, Reply 1994, Reply 1988. Also the director and writer also later made Prison Playbook and Hospital Playlist. Those are also really amazing slice-of-life dramas.
Priyanka Banerjee
2025-02-08 17:00:28 +0000 UTCNow I remember how much I hate her sister!
Seelia
2025-02-08 16:45:58 +0000 UTCmy fav
camreee
2025-02-08 16:11:00 +0000 UTCFound my person. 😍😍😍 My favorite reply series is also 1994 🩷
Zhai
2025-02-08 15:52:32 +0000 UTCI've been waiting for this..
su kim
2025-02-08 15:37:48 +0000 UTCThe only reason I watched this was cuz Bo Gum was in it. 😂 But I ended up enjoying it. I haven't watched the other Reply dramas though. Park Bo Gum and IU are leads in a new drama called When Life Gives You Tangerines, coming out next month on Netflix. That's what I'm waiting for, but knowing how IU selects her dramas...I might have to wait for it to complete before bingeing. 🤔😅
Seelia
2025-02-08 15:23:00 +0000 UTCThe Reply series was very popular in Korea. Personally, I like Reply 1994 the most because it's really fun. I hope you get to watch all the series someday! Also, please check out 'Prison Playbook' and 'Hospital Playlist', which were made by the same production team. This year, a new drama is coming out, and Go Youn-jung will be in it.
EJ
2025-02-08 15:19:49 +0000 UTCOmg this is what I'm waiting for this is materpiece
Yoona
2025-02-08 15:18:39 +0000 UTCThis is a decent show. A slice of life kind of thing. Like any show, you have to be in the mood for. Park Bo Gum...he's yummy. He has puppy dog eyes that makes you want to give him a hug every time you see him. 😍😅
Seelia
2025-02-08 15:16:48 +0000 UTC
