Reply 1988: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, And Relationships

Reply 1988 (2015–2016) is a South Korean drama series, the third installment of tvN’s Reply anthology, directed by Shin Won-ho and written by Lee Woo-jung.

Set in 1988 in Seoul’s Ssangmun-dong neighborhood, it follows five childhood friends and their families, blending comedy, romance, and coming-of-age themes.

Airing for 20 episodes, it achieved an 18.8% finale rating, the highest for a Korean cable drama at the time, with a 94% MyDramaList score.

Filmed in Seoul, its nostalgic “newtro” vibe sparked 1980s cultural trends. Critics praised its heartfelt storytelling but noted pacing issues in the love triangle.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Lee Hye-ri as Sung Deok-sun / Sung Soo-yeon

• Role: Deok-sun, the cheerful, clumsy middle child of the Sung family, ranks 999th in school but shines with loyalty and optimism. Central to the love triangle, her growth anchors the series (~900 minutes screentime across 20 episodes).
• Net Worth: $10 million
• Height: 5’5″ (1.67 m)
• Family: Born June 9, 1994, in Gwangju, South Korea. Family details private; no siblings reported. Member of Girl’s Day (K-pop group).
• Relationships: Dating Ryu Jun-yeol (2017–2023). Single as of 2025.
• Post-Film: Starred in My Roommate Is a Gumiho (2021), Moonshine (2021–2022). Upcoming: Friendly Rivalry (2025).

Park Bo-gum as Choi Taek

• Role: Taek, a reserved, world-class baduk (Go) player, is the group’s quiet genius with a subtle affection for Deok-sun (~800 minutes).
• Net Worth: $8 million
• Height: 6’0″ (1.82 m)
• Family: Born June 16, 1993, in Seoul, South Korea, to parents (names private). One sister, name private. Myongji University graduate (Musical Theater).
• Relationships: Single as of 2025. No confirmed public relationships.
• Post-Film: Starred in Love in the Moonlight (2016), Record of Youth (2020). Upcoming: Good Boy (2025).

Ryu Jun-yeol as Kim Jung-hwan

• Role: Jung-hwan, a gruff soccer enthusiast with a soft heart, hides his feelings for Deok-sun.
• Net Worth: $7 million
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m)
• Family: Born September 25, 1986, in Suwon, South Korea. Family details private; no siblings reported.
• Relationships: Dated Lee Hye-ri (2017–2023). Single as of 2025.
• Post-Film: Starred in The King (2017), Alienoid (2022–2024). Upcoming: The Spark (2025).

Go Kyung-pyo as Sung Sun-woo

• Role: Sun-woo, a model student and caring son, navigates romance and family loss. His gentle role spanned ~800 minutes.
• Net Worth: $5 million
• Height: 6’0″ (1.83 m)
• Family: Born June 11, 1990, in Incheon, South Korea. Family details private; no siblings reported. Konkuk University graduate (Film).
• Relationships: Single as of 2025. No confirmed public relationships.
• Post-Film: Starred in Seoul Vibe (2022), 6/45 (2022). Upcoming: Holy Night: Demon Hunters (2025).

Lee Dong-hwi as Ryu Dong-ryong

• Role: Dong-ryong, the group’s goofy dancer, brings humor but struggles academically (~700 minutes). Salary: ~$10,000–$20,000/episode.
• Net Worth: $4 million
• Height: 5’10” (1.79 m)
• Family: Born July 22, 1985, in Seoul, South Korea. Family details private; no siblings reported.
• Relationships: Married Jung Ho-yeon (model/actress) since 2024. No children reported.
• Post-Film: Starred in Extreme Job (2019), New Year Blues (2021). Upcoming: The Roundup: Punishment (2025).

Ryu Hye-young as Sung Bo-ra

• Role: Bo-ra, Deok-sun’s sharp-tongued older sister, is a studious rebel with a secret romance (~600 minutes). Salary: ~$10,000–$20,000/episode.
• Net Worth: $3 million
• Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m)
• Family: Born March 28, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea. Family details private; no siblings reported.
• Relationships: Single as of 2025. No confirmed public relationships.
• Post-Film: Starred in The Mayor (2017), Love Alarm (2019–2021). Upcoming: Law School Season 2 (2025).

Sung Dong-il as Sung Dong-il

• Role: Dong-il, Deok-sun’s warm but financially struggling father, grounds the Sung family (~500 minutes). Salary: ~$20,000–$40,000/episode.
• Net Worth: $6 million
• Height: 5’9″ (1.76 m)
• Family: Born April 27, 1967, in Incheon, South Korea. Married; two daughters, one son (names private).
• Relationships: Married Park Kyung-hye since 2003.
• Post-Film: Starred in Hospital Playlist (2020–2021), The Cursed (2020). Upcoming: The Legend of the Seven Tombs (2025).

Lee Il-hwa as Lee Il-hwa

• Role: Il-hwa, Deok-sun’s nurturing mother, balances family struggles with humor
• Net Worth: $4 million
• Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m)
• Family: Born January 3, 1971, in Yeongyang, South Korea. Family details private; no siblings reported.
• Relationships: Married; spouse details private; one daughter, name private.
• Post-Film: Starred in The Glory (2022–2023), Doctor Cha (2023). Upcoming: Good Partner (2025).

Additional Notes

Salaries: Leads (Hye-ri, Bo-gum, Jun-yeol, Kyung-pyo, Dong-hwi) earned $10,000–$30,000/episode, reflecting their rising status. Veteran actors (Dong-il, Il-hwa) made $15,000–$40,000. The budget per episode ($500,000–$1 million) covered 1980s-inspired sets and costumes. Netflix and Viki streaming boosted residuals.

Casting Insights: Hye-ri’s Girl’s Day fame brought charm to Deok-sun. Bo-gum, pre-Love in the Moonlight, fit Taek’s quiet depth. Jun-yeol’s indie cred (Socialphobia) suited Jung-hwan. Kyung-pyo and Dong-hwi’s theater backgrounds added authenticity. Hye-young, Dong-il, and Il-hwa, Reply series veterans, grounded the family arcs.

Impact and Legacy: The series’ 18.8% finale rating and global Netflix reach made it a K-drama landmark. Its 94% MyDramaList score reflects love for its nostalgia and ensemble chemistry, though the love triangle frustrated some fans. The OST, featuring “Don’t Worry” by Lee Juck, charted widely. Deok-sun’s dance and Taek’s baduk games trended on X.

Post-Show Careers: Hye-ri and Bo-gum became A-listers. Jun-yeol, Kyung-pyo, and Dong-hwi mix films and dramas. Hye-young focuses on supporting roles. Dong-il and Il-hwa remain K-drama staples.

Cultural Influence: Reply 1988 sparked a “newtro” 1980s trend in South Korea, with Ssangmun-dong’s community vibe resonating globally. Its focus on family, friendship, and youth tackled universal themes, though some X posts critiqued its slow pacing. The series’ love triangle debates and nostalgic props (cassette tapes, retro snacks) went viral. Streaming on Netflix and Viki.

Conclusion

Reply 1988’s ensemble, led by Hye-ri’s vibrant Deok-sun and Bo-gum’s tender Taek, crafted a nostalgic masterpiece. Net worths range from $3 million (Hye-young) to $10 million (Hye-ri), reflecting their K-drama stardom. Personal lives, from Hye-ri’s high-profile romance to Bo-gum’s privacy, add depth. Its record-breaking ratings, cultural impact, and streaming dominance ensure its enduring legacy.