The tvN 20th Anniversary Edition Reply 1988: 10th Anniversary sparked waves of laughter and nostalgia, proving once again why “that Ssangmun-dong” is still just as hot ten years later.
In the second episode, which aired on December 26, the five Ssangmun-dong families reunited as a whole for the first time in ten years, officially kicking off a two-day, one-night retreat. From their first meeting at a highway rest stop, the non-stop journey unfolded with Ssangmun-dong’s unmistakable energy of equal parts chaos, affection and easy chemistry that bring back memories while creating new laughter.
After a game of money, the families gathered at the rest area, where their starkly different “financial situations” sparked immediate humor. Jung-bong’s family, after winning big, joked that “there must be at least one rich family” and generously shared the stopover banquet with others. Sitting together and eating side by side was naturally reminiscent of scenes from the drama from ten years ago. Despite the time gap, the cast’s rapid-fire banter remained sharp and breezy.
The laughter continued throughout the journey to their final destination in Goseong. Sung Dong-il and Ra Mi-ran secretly formed a “persimmon expedition”, each with a box of seedless persimmons. Sung Dong-il joked, “We may not have money, but we eat the best,” demonstrating his absolute self-awareness. In another car behind-the-scenes stories flowed, including Park Bo-gum recounting that he was only 22 when he filmed Reply in 1988 and revealing that his original dream was to become a singer-songwriter before fate led him to acting.
Upon arriving at their accommodation in Goseong, the cast reflected on the significance of the 10th anniversary, even recreating their iconic photo shoot for the posters. The highlight, however, was the Ssangmun-dong Family Game Show. Divided into three teams: Deok-sun’s family, Jung-bong’s family, and Taek and Sun-woo’s family, the cast competed fiercely for premium Korean meat through quick quizzes about food, places, and people.
Hyeri, in full Deok-sun mode, complained, “You should have eaten it to know,” when a question about the famous dish “bihukatsu (beef cutlet)” came up. Ahn Jae-hong left everyone speechless by describing Tchaikovsky as “the symbol of probiotics,” while unpredictable wrong answers turned into unexpected debates about the truth. Park Bo-gum was even called as a “witness,” with cast members insisting, “Bo-gum doesn’t lie” and calling him “the conscience of the age,” before his honest confession once again left the room laughing.
The second round featured a music scholarship quiz, complete with broadcast cues and background music from films that spanned generations, plus penalty deductions that ratcheted up the tension. From Park Bo-gum’s bizarre responses to Hyeri launching into celebratory performances regardless of correctness, the chaos has reached a fever pitch. The Ssangmun-dong moms stole the spotlight with their “Avengers-style” showdown, and when Street Woman Fighter became a quiz topic, Ryu Hye-young and Hyeri heated up the room with a fierce dance battle. Jung-bong’s family ultimately took first place, reaffirming their title as the “symbol of wealth and fortune” to Ssangmun-dong.
Dinner was also full of warmth and humor. At the start of the barbecue, Go Kyung-pyo started grilling as a last-place penalty, while Park Bo-gum prepared the wraps for him, demonstrating seamless teamwork. The rest of the cast collaborated by grilling and serving, recreating the communal meals that characterized Ssangmun-dong. Lee Dong-hwi reflected, “It’s really like sharing meals together with Ssangmun-dong,” while Sung Dong-il added, “Now that we’re here, it’s so good.”
From start to finish, the 10th anniversary retreat embodied the very spirit of Ssangmun-dong, rekindling the cast’s fondest memories and transporting viewers to a neighborhood that still feels like home.
Sources: Daum
