What is the story about?
Kiran Rao has opened up about her unexpected love for Korean dramas, admitting she watches them even though she doesn't usually keep up with popular culture.
During her conversation on a recent podcast, the filmmaker spoke enthusiastically about the storytelling in Reply 1988 and what makes the series stand out. She highlighted its portrayal of a close-knit neighbourhood, where multiple families' lives unfold alongside their children's experiences. However, for Kiran, the appeal goes beyond young love and coming-of-age struggles, with the parents' parallel stories adding another compelling dimension to the narrative.
Kiran Rao Praises Reply 1988, Says She Would Love To Remake It
Speaking about her favourite Korean drama, Kiran Rao did not hesitate to name Reply 1988. The filmmaker described the series as a standout show and expressed her interest in adapting it for Indian audiences.
“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 on The Popcorn Hour.
While the coming-of-age stories are central to Reply 1988, Kiran believes the older characters make the series particularly special. She singled out the mothers and fathers for their performances and the way their individual struggles are explored alongside those of their children.
“The genuine jewel of this show is the older women, the mothers, and the fathers. They are just so good,” she said.
Praising the parallel narratives, she added that the parents' stories and struggles make the show exceptional. Her comments suggest that any adaptation she might envision would need to preserve the emotional depth of the family relationships that make Reply 1988 so memorable. Although Kiran expressed a clear desire to remake the drama, she did not announce an official Indian adaptation or share details about its potential cast, language or production timeline.
Set in a Seoul neighbourhood in 1988, the series revolves around three or four families living on the same street. Their children are around the same age and experience the ups and downs of growing up, from first romances and heartbreaks to the challenges of adolescence.
Explaining the show's setting, Kiran drew a comparison with the neighbourhood culture in Bengal. “It's set in a para, as they call it, a neighbourhood in Seoul in 1988. In fact, in Kolkata also you call it para only,” she said. The filmmaker also spoke about how the show balances the experiences of younger characters with the lives of their parents, giving the story a broader emotional appeal.
More About Reply 1988
Reply 1988 is a critically acclaimed South Korean slice-of-life drama that premiered in 2015. Directed by Shin Won-Ho and written by Lee Woo-Jung, the 20-episode series is set in Seoul’s Ssangmun-dong neighbourhood in the late 1980s. It follows five childhood friends and their families as they navigate first love, friendship, family responsibilities and the challenges of growing up. Starring Lee Hye-Ri Park Bo-Gum, Ryu Jun-Yeol, Go Kyung-Pyo and Lee Dong-Hwi, the show is widely loved for its nostalgic storytelling, close-knit community and heartfelt portrayal of the joys and struggles of everyday life.
Reply 1988 is available for streaming on Netflix!
