For me, Reply 1988 is like medicine for the soul. The stresses of my day start to fade as I get immersed in the world of 1980s Seoul—complete with baseball jumpers and layers of denim—and I love the simplicity of it. The pacing is slow, the storylines are easy to follow and the cast is phenomenal. I mean, sure, I could do without the weird goat sound effects (you'll see what I mean). And yes, this is a huge time commitment (each episode is roughly an hour and a half long). Still, out of the many KDramas I've binged in the past few months, Reply 1988 reigns supreme. Here's why.
1. The Character Development Is Remarkable
My favorite example is Bo-ra, who starts as a whip-smart but rebellious and quick-tempered student who aspires to be a lawyer. I initially could not stand her entitled behavior, but over time, her strengths began to outweigh her shortcomings, and I grew to admire her compassion, honesty and wisdom. Then there's her sister, Deok-sun, who went from being a naive, underachieving student to a confident career woman. Of course, this isn't to say these characters turned into perfect people. They still have very relatable flaws, but they've grown so much in their transition to adulthood.
2. It Speaks to the Power of Friendship and Community
From the impromptu family dinners to the casual meet-ups at Taek's house, there are so many great examples that show the unbreakable bond between Deok-sun, Jung-hwan, Sun-woo, Taek and Dong-ryong. I genuinely enjoyed seeing them roast each other and bicker over the smallest things. Even amid conflicts and awkward misunderstandings (like Deok-sun's unrequited crush on Sun-woo), there was room for healing and reconciliation. I couldn't help but feel like a part of this group, because their connection is so authentic, and their dynamic is reminiscent of some of my own friendships.
The same could be said for their families, the adults, who don't hesitate to support one another. For instance, there's one particularly heartwarming scene where all the families rally together to honor Mi-ran for a milestone occasion. (Keep some tissues handy when you watch this episode.)
3. The Adults are Equally as Compelling as The Kids
When it comes to shows that revolve around teenagers, the adult characters are typically sidelined or used as plot devices to propel the main characters' stories forward, but that's never the case here. Rather, the show creates enough room for well-rounded, multi-layered adults who have aspirations of their own. Who struggle to be good parents while navigating several challenges. This is especially noticeable in the Sung family, as Dong-il grapples with his inability to provide for his family.
4. It Doesn't Shy Away from Important Themes
Fair warning, there are several tearjerker moments in this series, thanks to the show's hands-on approach to heavier themes, including loss, grief, alcoholism, poverty, marital conflict, depression and the effects of menopause. The more you get to know these characters, the more you sympathize with their pain. (Like when Deok-sun's parents get into intense fights over their financial situation.)
