Drama Treasure Trove - #4: Reply 1988

This heartwarming series tells the story of five families living in the same neighborhood in Seoul in the year 1988. The drama is filled with nostalgia and captures the essence of growing up in Korea during that time period.

The show follows the lives of five childhood friends who grew up in the same neighborhood. They experience the ups and downs of adolescence, including first loves, friendships, and family struggles. The show's main character, Deok-sun, is the only girl in the group and has a crush on one of her childhood friends. Viewers are taken on a journey through their adolescent years and witness how their lives unfold as they grow up.

One of the most unique aspects of "Reply 1988" is the emphasis placed on family relationships. The show beautifully portrays the love and support that parents have for their children, and the sacrifices they make to ensure their children's happiness. The show's focus on family values is a refreshing change from the typical romantic storylines seen in many Kdramas.

The show is also praised for its exceptional cast of actors. The young actors who play the childhood friends have an undeniable chemistry, and their performances are both realistic and heartwarming. The adult actors who play their parents also give exceptional performances, creating a strong connection between the characters and the viewers.

Plot

In September of 1988, a group of five childhood friends gather in Taek's bedroom to watch "A Better Tomorrow II" when their parents call them down for dinner. Duk-seon, a middle child from the Sung family, lives in a struggling household led by Dong-il and Il-hwa. She often fights with her older sister, Bo-ra, who is a top university student, and sometimes feels envious of her younger brother, No-eul. Duk-seon insists on having a separate birthday celebration from her sister's, whose birthday is a week before hers, and they all live in a 'half-basement' home.

Jung-hwan is the youngest child from the Kim family, who live upstairs from Duk-seon's family. The Kim family is relatively wealthy, with Sung-kyun as the breadwinner who is an eccentric and childish electronics store worker. The family's behavior is often frowned upon by Jung-hwan and his mother, Mi-ran, and nearly everybody except Duk-seon. The tech-savvy first-born son, 24-year-old Jung-bong, refuses to study and angers Mi-ran further.

Sun-woo is the oldest child in his family, living with his widowed mother, Sun-young, and his toddler sister, Jin-joo, in the block next to Duk-seon's family. His mother is a bad cook, but Sun-woo approves of her cooking because it's hers. Across the street, Dong-ryong lives with two full-time working parents, and his father is the fearsome dean of Ssangmun High School, Mr. Ryu. The families share and switch side dishes to go with their evening rice, sending their children to exchange those dishes. Taek, who lives next to Dong-ryong, goes downstairs and has dinner with his widowed father, Moo-sung, and their dinner table is slowly filled with dishes their neighbors brought to them.

As the neighborhood mothers prepare food, they discuss whether sons or daughters are best. Dong-ryong and Jung-hwan confront a gang of people who want to steal their money to buy tteokbokki and end up losing their sneakers after their classmate 'Michael' loses all his money. Sun-woo gets involved in the case and gets hurt in a fight, which worries his mother, especially after she finds his room empty when she calls him for errands. She fears that he has taken up smoking, but he comes home after buying a drink for his father's altar.

Duk-seon is preparing hard for her role as a picket holder for the Madagascar delegation at the Seoul Olympics opening ceremony, which is set to take place on her 18th (Korean age) birthday. Although she struggles, she is committed, practicing every night in the bedroom she shares with Bo-ra and in the streets after rehearsing. As one of only three high schoolers taking part in the event, the entire neighborhood is talking about her role. However, during a TV interview, Duk-seon finds out that Madagascar is part of the countries that refuse to take part in the games. Despite this setback, her reaction in the television broadcast impresses the Olympic organization, and she is reassigned to the Ugandan delegation. After fulfilling her role as a picket holder in front of the world, she comes home to her father, who gives her a separate birthday cake.

That night, the Sung family suffers from carbon monoxide poisoning while sleeping and flee their house.

This is only the first Episode Story.

The music in "Reply 1988" is another aspect that sets it apart from other Kdramas. The show features an array of classic Korean songs from the 1980s that add to the nostalgic and sentimental atmosphere of the show. The soundtrack, which includes songs like "Only You" by Park Jang-hyun and "Our Tears" by Hyukoh, has become a fan favorite.

In conclusion, "Reply 1988" is a masterpiece of a Kdrama that has captured the hearts of viewers worldwide. The show's focus on family relationships, nostalgic atmosphere, exceptional cast, and beautiful music has earned it a special place in the hearts of fans. If you're looking for a heartwarming and nostalgic drama that will make you laugh and cry, "Reply 1988" is the perfect show for you.

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