'Reply 1988' 10th anniversary special: Everything we know so far

It's been a decade since the hit Korean drama Reply 1988 first aired, but the genuine connection to the Ssangmun-dong neighborhood remains strong for fans everywhere.

The drama, which follows five neighborhood families, made a deep impact by focusing on stories of real friendship and family love. It proved how popular it was by earning the title of a "national drama" after its rating peaked at 18.8% (based on Nielsen Korea’s paid household data).

Now, ten years later, the cast is getting back together for a special reunion, which Channel Full Moon officially confirmed on Nov. 6 with a series of photos.

Here is what is known about the project so far:

The cast reunited for a trip

According to an OSEN exclusive, first reported in August by Soompi, the production team behind Reply 1988 held a group membership training trip.

The team traveled to an undisclosed location in Gangwon Province sometime in October and is led by director Shin Won Ho and writer Lee Woo Jung’s production company, Egg Is Coming.

Almost all of the cast members are in

Based on the photos shared by Channel Full Moon, all but one cast member attended the trip.

The group seen together for a meal includes Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Lee Dong-hwi, Ko Kyung-pyo, Ryu Hye-young, Ra Mi-ran, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Il-hwa, Lee Min-ji, Choi Seong-won, and Choi Mu-sung.

However, Ryu Jun-yeol (Kim Jung-hwan) could not attend the group activity due to a scheduling conflict.

Despite his absence, tvN stated in an Oct. 31 report that Jun-yeol recorded his segments separately.

"He adjusted his schedule to take part in portions of the filming in honor of Reply 1988's 10th anniversary," they said.

Meanwhile, in response to public inquiry regarding cast interactions, a broadcast official confirmed that exes Hyeri and Ryu Jun-yeol were not filmed together for the special.

“The focus of this 10th-anniversary content is the MT site, and Ryu Jun-yeol participated separately. There was no joint filming with Hye-ri,” the source said, as per The Chosun Daily.

The source also added that Jun-yeol reunited with his on-screen family, Ra Mi-ran, Kim Sung-kyun, and Ahn Jae-hong.

It airs later this year

The special program is slated to air on tvN this winter, though an official release date has not yet been announced. (with reports from Gideon Tinsay)