Fans of the beloved Korean drama 'Reply 1988' are in for a massive treat. The network has officially announced a grand reunion of the entire main cast for a special three-episode program to celebrate the show's 10th anniversary. The special is set to premiere on December 19, promising a heavy dose of nostalgia and heartwarming moments.
A Reunion Marred by Scheduling Conflicts
According to reports from Yonhap News, the special will be a two-day, one-night trip helmed by legendary variety producer Na Young-seok and director Shin Gun-joon. All 16 main cast members have committed to participating in this landmark event. This includes the show's former real-life couple, Hyeri and Ryu Jun-yeol, who famously dated for seven years after meeting on set before their split in November 2023.
However, the reunion comes with a notable caveat. The network confirmed that due to 'scheduling conflicts,' Ryu Jun-yeol filmed his segments separately from the main group trip. This means he will appear in the opening sequences but missed the overnight bonding experience with Hyeri and their co-stars. This arrangement initially sparked fan speculation when the first announcement poster and teaser in December omitted Ryu Jun-yeol entirely, forcing the network to clarify his limited participation.
The Drama That Redefined Korean Television
To understand the significance of this reunion, one must look back at the unprecedented impact of 'Reply 1988'. Airing from November 2015 to January 2016, the drama didn't just become popular; it shattered norms. It achieved viewership numbers that made it the highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history.
More importantly, it was the first cable series to truly compete with and dominate the timeslots of major national broadcasters like KBS, MBC, and SBS. This marked a watershed moment, proving that premium cable channels could produce content with mass, nation-wide appeal. The meticulous craftsmanship of director Shin Won-ho and writer Lee Woo-jung, where every line of dialogue was collaboratively honed, earned the series the revered title of a 'National Drama'.
Reliving the 'Newtro' Magic
The series was a cultural phenomenon that ignited South Korea's ongoing 'newtro' (new retro) obsession. By intimately portraying the lives of five families in Seoul's Ssangmun-dong neighborhood in the year 1988—the year Korea hosted its first Summer Olympics—it captured a nation on the cusp of economic transformation.
For the special, the complete ensemble will recreate the show's iconic 1980s fashion and camaraderie. Veteran actors like Sung Dong-il, Lee Il-hwa, Ra Mi-ran, Kim Sung-kyun, Choi Moo-sung, Kim Sun-young, and Yoo Jae-myung will join the younger stars: Hyeri, Park Bo-gum, Go Kyung-pyo, Lee Dong-hwi, Ahn Jae-hong, Ryu Hye-young, Choi Sung-won, and Lee Min-ji. With Na Young-seok at the production helm, viewers can expect his signature blend of heartwarming chaos, genuine laughter, and emotional depth that has defined his legendary career in variety shows.
This reunion special is not just a trip down memory lane for the cast; it's a gift to the millions of fans for whom Reply 1988 remains an unforgettable part of their cultural memory. It celebrates a show that was much more than a drama—it was a shared national experience.
