'Reply 1994' (2013) : Retro Vibes and Heartwarming Tales

"Reply 1994" is a Korean drama series that premiered in 2013. It is the second installment of the "Reply" series and follows the lives of a group of college students who live in a boarding house. In this post, we will explore the reasons why "Reply 1994" is a must-watch for anyone interested in Korean culture and entertainment.

Korean Drama "Reply 1994"

Plot Summary of Reply 1994

"Reply 1994" is a Korean drama that revolves around a group of college students who live together in a boarding house in the neighborhood of Sinchon in Seoul in the year 1994. The drama mainly follows the life of Sung Na-jung, a bright and cheerful girl, as she navigates her life as a university student in Seoul.

The boarding house is run by Sung Na-jung's kind-hearted parents, and the students living there quickly become like family. The show explores the relationships and interactions between the students and the various challenges they face as they come of age in the 90s.

Throughout the drama, there are numerous flash-forwards to the year 2013(Aired year), where the characters are seen as successful adults. The identity of Na-jung's husband, who is teased throughout the series, is only revealed in the final episode.

Popular factors of Reply 1994

Sinchon : a Hub of Youth Culture

The drama is set in the neighborhood of Sinchon, which is home to many of Korea's top universities. Sinchon is still a hub of youth culture, with trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants lining the streets. Many international travelers visit Sinchon when they come to Korea. Through the setting of Sinchon, the drama effectively conveys the campus life of lively characters.  Furthermore, they live together in the female lead's boarding house. This becomes a device for the characters to bond as if they were a family. 

Realistic Portrayal of College Life

One of the most significant strengths of "Reply 1994" is its realistic portrayal of college life. The characters are relatable, and the show deals with various themes that college students face, such as friendships, romance, family, and career choices. The characters are depicted as flawed individuals, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, making them relatable to viewers.

A Mixed soundtrack of Old and New

The drama's soundtrack is a mix of popular songs from the 1990s and original music composed specifically for the show. The music captures the essence of the 1990s, and the inclusion of popular songs from the era adds to the nostalgia factor. The soundtrack also features original music composed by well-known Korean artists, such as Yoon Jong-shin and Lee Sang-min.

Nostalgia to 1990s Pop Culture

"Reply 1994" takes place in the 1990s, and the drama is filled with references to pop culture and historical events from the decade. From the appearance of Seo Tae-ji, a famous Korean singer, to the collapse of Sampung Department Store, the drama captures the essence of the 1990s in South Korea. The nostalgia factor is strong, especially for viewers who grew up during this era.

Strong Cast of Characters

The drama features a talented cast of actors and actresses, including Go Ara, Jung Woo, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Sung-kyun, and Son Ho-jun. The actors were mostly unknown before the show's airing, but their performances in "Reply 1994" catapulted them to stardom. Each character comes to Seoul from a different province in Korea, so they speak in different dialects, which gives them a unique personality.

Evaluation of reply 1994

Reply 1994 syndrome

"Reply 1994" was widely praised for its realistic portrayal of college life and relatable characters. The drama gained immense popularity in South Korea, recording a peak rating of 10.4% nationwide. This figure was unheard of for a cable television program at the time. The drama was awarded several accolades, including Best Drama at the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards and the Outstanding Korean Drama Award at the 9th Seoul International Drama Awards. 

The success of "Reply 1994" led to the creation of a spin-off entertainment program called "Youth Over Flowers." The show features the cast of "Reply 1994" going on a backpacking trip to Laos. Viewers enjoyed the new look and chemistry of the cast outside of the drama through the spin-off. While Laos was unfamiliar to Koreans at the time of the show's airing, the success of the program has led to a boom in travel to the country.

Controversy over endings

The drama's ending sparked controversy among fans. The controversy stemmed from the romantic pairing of the lead characters, which left some fans disappointed. Without giving away any spoilers, let's just say that some viewers felt the final pairing didn't make sense.

Despite the mixed reactions to the ending, The way the final episode reveals the female lead's final pairing is proprietary to the 'Reply series'. In an interview, PD said that this is a device to keep the audience engaged until the end of the drama, because each episode is in a segmented form. So the same controversy was repeated in the next installment, 'Reply 1988'. 

If you're looking for a heartwarming and nostalgic drama to watch, "Reply 1994" is definitely worth checking out. It was a charming and well-crafted series that transported Korean people back to a simpler time and left them feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Especially for international fans interested in Korean pop culture, this drama will be a great way to understand Korean pop culture in general.