Name: Pelayo, Geo Arley O.

AB Foreign Service – FS201

Political and Economic Geography &
International Organizations
Mr. Jumel Gabilan Estrañero

Reflection paper: Reply 1988, a Korean drama series

I. Executive Summary

Reply 1988 was set in Ssangmun-dong, a small Seoul neighborhood, and follows the lives of a

group of five friends. When they were 18 and 19, most of the series focused on their hardships and

unforgettable occasions. The story begins in 1988, continues through 1989, and then jumps to 1994 and

1995. It also includes scenes from 2016, in which Deok Sun is questioned with her husband, the identity

of whom is revealed later in the plot. Deok Sun, the middle kid, shares a half-basement with her two

brothers and parents. Jung Hwan and his family live above them, unlike Deok Sun's debt-ridden family,

who became wealthy overnight. Choi Taek (Park Bo Gum), on the other hand, lives with his widowed

father and has never had a financial problem. His greatest challenge was winning baduk bouts, and he

became known throughout Asia as a genius player. The other neighbors of the first three are Sun Woo and

Dong Ryong and their respective families. During mealtimes, the five of them frequently congregate in

Taek's room and share food. Their mothers, known as ajummas, stay at home while their fathers work to

support their families. No matter how much trouble they get themselves into, these childhood buddies

have one other's backs. Their parents have become close as neighbors and rely on one another. The

numerous individuals travel through various stages of life, from difficult school years through maturity,
which is physically, psychologically, and financially exhausting. The finale of Reply 1988 sent a large

portion of the fans into a full-fledged tantrum. Despite the fact that the “husband mystery” is the name of

the game, and you go into Reply with a 50/50 chance of having your heart smashed (since polyamory isn't

yet considered a viable ending for Kdrama), many devoted viewers are complaining, claiming that the

ending was changed hastily for shock value, that the writing was inconsistent, and that it wasn't well

telegraphed.

II. Analysis

My favorite character is Doek Sun because Deok Sun is the type of girl who can do ungirly things

in front of her male friends without feeling embarrassed, causing them to never look at her as a girl.

However, there will always be two guys among her male friends who secretly fall in love with her. I must

agree that Deok Sun's character does not make as strong an impact as Shi Won and Na Jung's. In addition,

she's also not a crazed adoring fangirl. She is regarded as a bright and joyful young lady who enjoys

singing and dancing but struggles academically. Her character appears to be more ordinary. But this one,

for me, makes Deok Sun the most sympathetic.

My most favorite scene in this drama is where the Sung siblings gave “Thank you plague” gift for

their dad’s pension on episode 19. The family scene in Episode 19 is, in my opinion, the drama's peak,

and it is truly a scene stealer. The way Deok Sun, Bo Ra, and Noeul made their own "Thank You Plaque"

for their father's pension because he did not get it through his workplace moved me. And now that I am

aware of the contents of the plaque, the scene of Deok Sun reciting it in front of everyone is truly.... You

should view it right away to appreciate how lovely this situation is. I sobbed... sobbed... sobbed...

sobbed... sobbed... sobbed... sobbed... sobbed... sob This scenario demonstrates the development of their
characters as well as the Sung siblings' love for their father. Seeing this incident makes me question if I

could do the same thing to my father, especially as he is starting his life in retirement.

As I relate the knowledge I gained in this series for our subject Political and Economic

Geography and for International Organization subjects as well, similarly to the political financial

struggles of South Korea are also portrayed in ways that are relatable, and yes, informative. The political

reality of the day the first time that South Korea had a true democratically elected leader since the

1960’s– is alluded to multiple times by characters commenting on college-age Sung Bo Ra going to

protests.

III. Conclusion

Hard working efforts will get you far in life but being a nice person with the correct mindset will

take you much far. Life is uncontrollable; believing that you can control it can lead to greater calamity, as

your expectations of yourself and others might fall at any time when something unexpected occurs.

Almost any situation may be made tolerable with food and alcohol. The most prevalent theme in the

series is the food provided at each family's table, as well as how often booze is used as a backdrop to any

emotionally or otherwise difficult events. Family is not flawless but being able to LOVE

UNCONDITIONALLY is what makes a family a TRUE FAMILY. Everyone wishes for a perfect family,

one that is sympathetic and free of difficulties, squabbling, and arguments. But, let us face it, there are not

many families like that, especially if you live in an Asian home. A frequent feature of Asian parenting is

that the parents' wishes are always followed, simply because the child's characteristics indicate the

parents' achievement. Everything comes to an end, and all that matters is how much you loved it. In

comparison to other Kdramas, I have never sobbed as much as I did when the series concluded. Unlike

other K-Dramas I've seen where I still wanted the story to go on, this one finished the way it should, but
not the way it should. Because, despite the fact that one may believe that all is well that ends well, the

future of Bo Ra and Deok Son reveals that each character faces a new challenge, and the series'

conclusion is only a new beginning.