In the past, K-dramas generally fell into one of two camps. One is a highly rated series aimed at an older audience but has little influence online, and the other is a more niche drama aimed at a younger audience that gained popularity through memes and virality. But “Reply 1988” turned out to be a show for everyone. As Korean culture critic Kim Haeun-sik calls it, the production reflects Seoul’s “alley culture” (the close-knit neighborhoods that exist within the city’s narrow streets) and features multigenerational characters, making it a show. I wanted the whole family to see it together.
It cannot be overstated how big an impact “Reply 1988” had on South Korea. In contrast to the thrillers and melodramas that dominated the country’s drama output, Reply 1988’s textured, unadorned realism offered viewers something far more subtle and moving. For younger viewers in particular, the series provided a way to look back and recognize the youth of past generations, including their own parents, who were not so far removed from themselves. Ryu Hae-young, who played Bo-ra, Deok-seon’s older sister (and regular tormentor), felt the same way. “Playing Bora gave me a deeper understanding of a time that I had never lived through,” she told the BBC. “I realized that the peaceful life I have now is thanks to the young people who paved the way for me.”
CJ ENMMore specifically, the show featured hits from Air Jordan, the Walkman, Pac-Man (Pac-Man’s original name), and musicals from the 1980s and 1990s, leading to a retro revival in South Korea. 80s pop stars and style back on the chart, Crown Beer returns to stores for the first time in 20 yearsAnd the fashion of this decade has become a new retro trend. “I can’t say that our series was the first to explore retro themes, but I believe it was the beginning of the rise of retro culture.” [in South Korea] Series writer Lee Woo-jung mentioned the wave of nostalgic, slice-of-life series that followed, including “Twenty-Five-Twenty-One,” “My Mister,” and Shin and Lee’s next collaboration, “Hospital Playlist.”
How did it spread around the world?
But the story also resonated beyond his home country. “‘Reply 1988’ depicts a warm, ordinary, and universal family, one that everyone can empathize with and aspire to,” says Ryu. The first sign that the film would have an impact beyond its home country came from China, where it was screened in 2016. reach A whopping 235 million viewers! within a month. As streaming has made the world of television more global, Reply 1988’s reach has expanded even further. Initially through the streaming service Viki since 2016, it has expanded further, especially since it was added to Netflix’s library in 2020. aAccording to the streamer’s own datawhich continues to log millions of viewing hours around the world every year.
Source: BBC Culture – www.bbc.com
