Kiran Rao reveals she wants to remake K-drama Reply 1988 for Indian audiences. Here what the heartwarming series is all about
Bharatmorningnews.com – Kiran Rao reveals she wants to remake the beloved Korean drama Reply 1988 for Indian audiences. Speaking on The Popcorn Hour, the filmmaker praised the series for its warm storytelling, especially its detailed portrayal of families and a tightly connected neighbourhood.
Why Kiran Rao wants to remake Reply 1988
Kiran Rao reveals she wants to adapt Reply 1988 because of the emotional depth given to every generation. She described it as her favourite K-drama and said the 1988-set story would be a project she would love to remake.
“Best K-drama is a show called Reply 1988. It’s a fantastic show. It’s actually set in 1988. In fact, that’s something I would love to remake,” she said.
For Rao, the parents are central to the show’s appeal. The mothers and fathers are not merely supporting characters; they have their own friendships, setbacks, financial worries, marriages and hopes. She also noted the similarity between the Seoul neighbourhood setting and the idea of a “para,” a word commonly used for a neighbourhood in Kolkata.
What is Reply 1988 about?
Released in 2015, Reply 1988 is a South Korean slice-of-life drama directed by Shin Won Ho and written by Lee Woo Jung. Its 20 episodes are set in Seoul’s Ssangmun-dong neighbourhood, beginning in 1988 around the time of the Seoul Olympics.
The story follows five families who live along the same alley, as well as their children: Sung Deok Sun, played by Lee Hye Ri; Sung Bo Ra, played by Ryu Hye Young; Kim Jung Hwan, played by Ryu Jun Yeol; Choi Taek, played by Park Bo Gum; Sung Sun Woo, played by Go Kyung Pyo; and Dong Ryong, played by Lee Dong Hwi.
As the friends grow up, they navigate school, family expectations, first love and the uncertainty of adulthood. The narrative moves between 1988 and 1995, with glimpses of the characters’ adult lives. A key question throughout the series is who Deok Sun eventually marries.
A story about family, friendship and community
Although romance is an important part of Reply 1988, its heart lies in its family stories. The parents face marital tensions, money problems and dreams they have put aside, while their friendships bring both humour and emotion to the series.
The neighbourhood itself functions almost like another character. Families share food, leave doors open and support one another during difficult moments. That sense of everyday community helps explain why Kiran Rao reveals she wants to bring the story’s spirit to an Indian setting.
Reply 1988 was a major hit on South Korean cable network tvN. Its finale recorded a 19.6% viewership rating, making it South Korea’s highest-rated cable programme at the time. The show later inspired renewed interest in late-1980s South Korean fashion and pop culture, including Walkmans and Air Jordans.
In December 2025, tvN aired a 10th-anniversary special featuring members of the original cast. The reunion revisited the drama’s memories and music for viewers who had formed a deep connection with the series.
Where does Reply 1988 fit in the franchise?
Reply 1988 is the third instalment of the Reply franchise, following Reply 1997 in 2012 and Reply 1994 in 2013. All three were directed by Shin Won Ho and written by Lee Woo Jung, who later collaborated on Hospital Playlist and Prison Playbook.
Each drama explores a different period and location in South Korea. Reply 1997 follows teenagers in Busan amid friendship, romance and K-pop fandom, while Reply 1994 centres on college students sharing a boarding house in Seoul. The series share time shifts, a future-husband mystery and appearances by Sung Dong Il and Lee Il Hwa as the female lead’s parents.
Rao’s most recent directorial venture was Laapataa Ladies in 2023, starring Sparsh Shrivastava, Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Chhaya Kadam and Ravi Kishan. The film follows two newly married women who are exchanged during a train journey and the chaos that follows.
FAQ
Why does Kiran Rao want to remake Reply 1988?
Kiran Rao has praised the drama’s layered depiction of parents, children and neighbourhood life. She believes its setting and emotional themes could connect naturally with Indian audiences.
Is Reply 1988 only a romance drama?
No. While the series includes first love and a marriage mystery, it is equally focused on family relationships, friendship, financial struggles and life in a close-knit community.
Who stars in Reply 1988?
The main cast includes Lee Hye Ri, Ryu Hye Young, Ryu Jun Yeol, Park Bo Gum, Go Kyung Pyo and Lee Dong Hwi.