K-drama Spotlight: Reply 1988

Netflix has expanded the Korean entertainment industry by providing its global-wide fan base and its newcomers with binge-worthy k-dramas and movies. Among the wide array of romcoms, family, thriller, horror, and more is a lucky find that deserves all the more attention: Reply 1988. This drama first aired on November 6, 2015, and came to Netflix on January 1, 2020. As a part of a three drama series, it centers on the lives of 5 families living in the same neighborhood in Seoul. The character development, insight into Korean culture and history, and themes of relationships and family cohesively intertwine to create a nearly perfect representation of the year of 1988. In particular, the Korean viewers who lived in Seoul at the time will feel a pang of empathy and nostalgia as they watch this touching production that captures the often brutal reality at that time. Even though I rewatched Reply about five times, each episode always ends off with the same outro music and yet a new lesson learned.

The female lead, Deoksun, played by a member of the kpop group Girls Day, Hyeri Lee, is one of the wittiest characters in Reply who is unaware of her captivating charm and natural ability to make others feel loved. With a bully as her older sister and obedient younger brother, Deoksun is the middle child in her family. Being the middle child influences Deoksun in more ways than one would expect, and it is made obvious from the pilot episode in one of the most iconic scenes in the series. Earlier in this episode, Deoksun’s family is sitting at the only table in their half-basement unit when her sister, Bora, demands for a new pair of glasses for her birthday. In contrast to Bora, Deoksun doesn’t request a gift but makes it aware that this year, she wants her own birthday celebration separate from her sister’s. Bora and Deoksun have always celebrated their birthdays together as Deokson’s comes only three days after Bora’s. Later on in the episode, on the day of Bora’s birthday, their parents bring out a cake for her while singing happy birthday. However, after Bora blows out the candles, the mom reaches again for the lighter so that they can also sing happy birthday for Deoksun. Realizing that her parents neglected her one desire to have a separate celebration, Deoksun has an emotional breakdown at the table. Regardless of what it is (a fried egg, chicken thigh, or her own birthday), Deoksun cries out for the x number of times she was put last by her parents.

After realizing poor Deoksun had been suppressing such feelings for so long, the guit destroys Deoksun’s father. He tries to make it up to her on her real birthday by sitting her down outside and surprising her with a birthday cake. He opens up to her about how with the first child they were so worried about how to be parents, and with the youngest, how to raise their son to be a strong man. The vulnerability and honesty Deokson’s father brought to the conversation showed a new side to the traditional Korean father that was refreshing to watch. This scene was very revealing of the struggles of parenting, a common theme in the series.

This scene is one out of the many others in this series that is so well-scripted and reflective of the reality of Korean society at the time. One of the main reasons why this drama hit home for me is because it shows how timeless and relatable human struggle is no matter who you are and where you come from. If you are looking for a show to binge, Reply 1988 is the perfect family kdrama that will bring you the perfect balance of laughter and tears.