I can fully understand why Reply 1988 is the best of the Reply series — WOW! What a heartwarming story of family, friends, youth, and first love. I loved the themes of fate/timing/commitment, figuring out your dreams, and the significance of place. I wish I had a group of friends like these, forged through countless hours spent together during our formative years.

There were a couple moments that felt draggy. I was also a bit disappointed by the ending, because I felt it was a bit too focused on a secondary romance vs. our main one. Speaking of the romance, I was truly, genuinely shocked after reading an incorrect spoiler floating out there (THANK YOU REDDIT!! This does NOT happen to me often as someone who actively ruins shows for myself!). I was bracing myself to get Chillbonged here, and instead got beautiful, understated OTP feels fulfilled. While I was happy about that, it diverted so far from expectations that I can't help but wonder if the writers changed course near the end? I mean, I started to wonder considering which moments we were shown around halfway through, but... I was shocked things didn't flip flop a bit more. I think the themes we got from this ending were absolutely perfect, but I also felt like we spent too long watching their youth from a certain perspective only to get minimal payoff for it.

Still, I can't gripe too much. The romance was top notch, the family relationships were top notch, and the friendships were golden. I laughed, cried, and felt so nostalgic for a time and place that I didn't even get to experience firsthand. I used this show to introduce my parents to kdramas, and it made for the perfect family bonding experience.