K-dramas have the uncanny ability to transport viewers through time, emotion, and culture by weaving together takes that linger long after the final episode. Whether it is an edge-of-your-seat thriller or a swoon-worthy romance, these shows offer a unique blend of narrative excellence and emotional resonance. Over the years, the industry has expanded beyond traditional storytelling and common genres and pushed boundaries with dystopian futures and zombie apocalypses.
On the more grounded side of things, there is something undeniably magical about K-dramas set in the ’80s and ’90s. These decades were a turning point in South Korea. A time of cultural influence, economic shifts, social unrest, and technological leaps. It was an era of handwritten letters, payphone confessions, internet cafés, and simpler joys that now seem like fragments of a bygone era.
The 8 K-dramas in this list are set in the ’80s and ’90s. They not only encapsulate these decades, but also build their stories around them.
8
‘Reply 1994’ (2013)
Set against the backdrop of 1994, Reply 1994 follows six university students from different provinces and their intertwining lives as they come together in a boarding house in Seoul. At the heart of the story is Sung Na-Jung, the daughter of the couple that owns the boarding house and a passionate basketball fan who navigates friendships, love, and the chaos of growing up. The drama shifts between past and present and keeps viewers guessing who Na-hung will eventually end up marrying.
A Quintessential Slice of ‘90s Korea
Reply 1994 effortlessly captures the essence of life in 1990s Korea by portraying the era’s distinct cultural references and societal changes within the narrative. It weaves in historical events, like the rise of Seo Taiji and Boys and the Sampoong Department Store collapse, stays true to the fashion and music that defined the decade, and delivers a feel-good story. While often overshadowed by Reply 1988, this installment still has the same unpredictability and emotion and is nostalgic from start to finish.
7
‘Signal’ (2016)
In Signal, a discarded walkie-talkie connects two detectives across time – one living in 2015 and the other in the 1990s. The story revolves around Park Hae-young, a criminal profiler who grew up distrusting the police, as she stumbles upon the device and begins communicating with Detective Lee Jae-han, her mentor and unrequited love who disappeared years ago. Together, they solve cold cases and rewrite history.
Growing Suspense Across the Decades
The crime K-drama stands out not only due to its ingenious time-traveling premise, but also because of the way it combines poignant character arcs with crime-solving. Directed by Kim Won-seok, it balances tension and creates a sharp contrast between the past and present. The performances, especially from Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, and Cho Jin-woong, are intelligent and emotionally charged. If you’re looking for a K-drama that keeps you on the edge of your seats, Signal is the one to go for.
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6
‘Go Back Couple’ (2017)
Choi Ban-do and Ma Jin-joo were once deeply in love, but now that they are in their late 30s, their marriage has hit a rough patch. Ban-do is a pharmaceutical salesman who spends most of his time at work and Jin-joo takes care of their son while feeling abandoned. As life’s burdens and exhaustion weighs them down, they wake up one morning in the past as their 20-year-old selves. With the chance to relive their university days, Ban-do and Jin-joo try to make the best with what they have.
A Second Chance at Youth – and Love
Go Back Couple explores the importance of second chances. It touches on love, nostalgia, and the choices that shape our lives in the most beautiful ways. What makes the drama stand out is not its premise, which is not exceptional and overused, but the top-notch execution. It is very realistic in its approach, and it depicts the struggles and problems of the 1990s with perfection. Jang Na-ra and Son Ho-jun deliver performances that breathe life into their characters, making their journey even more compelling.
5
‘Youth of May’ (2021)
The year is 1980 and a turbulent era is unfolding in Gwangju, South Korea. Amidst the political uprising, Youth of May follows Hwang Hee-tae, a brilliant medical student, and Kim Myung-hee, a strong-willed nurse, as they fall in love. They both come from vastly different backgrounds. Their romance, although tender and full of love, is constantly threatened by the times they live in and they must confront the realities of living in a nation in flux.
Love Amidst Revolution
Few dramas manage to capture the ’80s with such authenticity. Its muted color palette, vintage aesthetics, and historical accuracy pluck the viewers from real time and places them in a time of both unrest and innocence. It does so by not fully focusing on the uprising, but rather on the struggles of young people whose lives were altered by it. The direction is gripping as well; it weaves romance and tragedy with an understated elegance. Lee Do-hyun and Go Min-si are the highlight of the series with the way they make their characters unforgettable.
4
‘Snowdrop’ (2021 – 2022)
Speaking of love stories set against the backdrop of turmoil, we have Snowdrop, one of the most controversial K-dramas of recent times. Set in 1987, it unfolds against the backdrop of South Korea’s turbulent democracy movement. Eun Yeong-ro, a bright university student, falls in love with a handsome man, and when he accidentally jumps into her dormitory, covered in blood, she helps him hide there. Their connection deepens and secrets unravel, sparking a forbidden romance.
A Forbidden Romance Worth Rooting For
Snowdrop’s ambitious scope and exploration of the politically charged 1980s earned it both praise and controversy. It paints a tense and dangerous situation of espionage and betrayal, but at the same time, it downplays the sincerity of the democratic struggles and romanticizes certain individuals and their actions for dramatic effect. Regardless, it creates the portrait of the time meticulously and delivers a sweeping romance between Jung Hae-in and Jisoo’s characters.
3
‘Twinkling Watermelon’ (2023)
Twinkling Watermelon follows Ha Eun-gyeol, a gifted musician who is a CODA (Child Of Deaf Adults). He struggles to reconcile his passion for music with his family’s expectations. After a heated argument, he mysteriously travels back to 1995, when his father was a teenager. He forms a band called Watermelon Sugar with his father, and together, they understand more about friendship, romance, and the complexities of his parents’ youth.
Familial Bonds and The Power of Music
Music has a transformative power and it can heal almost anyone and anything. Twinkling Watermelon presents music as a bridge between generations. A heartfelt coming-of-age drama, it blends family, nostalgia, and fantasy into a stunning narrative. It sets itself apart with a vibrant portrayal of the ’90s, captures the music and culture of the era, and creates a visually rich experience. Ryeoun, Choi Hyun-wook, and Seol In-ah portray the pleasures and uncertainties of youth and growing up and inspire constantly.
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2
‘Reply 1988’ (2015 – 2016)
One of the most honest and touching portrayals of youth, Reply 1988 is set in the late 1980s and it follows five childhood friends – Deok-sun, Jung-hwan, Sun-woo, Dong-ryong, and Taek – who grow up together in the close-knit neighborhood of Ssangmun-dong in Seoul. As they navigate teenage struggles, first loves, and family hardships, they evolve into remarkable and relatable adults.
Tribute to Family and Friendship
Told through a mix of present-day reflections and past memories, Reply 1988 is more than just a coming-of-age story. It is a love letter to simpler times, when friendships felt like family and home was more than just a place. Even though there’s nothing major going on in the drama, what makes it so beloved and extraordinary is that it captures the beauty of slow-living and recreates the 80s through cassette tapes and retro fashion. It has gained massive popularity among fans for its ability to make them laugh, cry, and feel full and empty all at once.
1
‘Twenty-Five Twenty-One’ (2022)
Twenty-Five Twenty-One is set during the 1998 IMF crisis, which led to widespread social unrest. The story centers around Na Hee-do, a passionate fencing prodigy whose dreams are shattered when her school team is disbanded. Determined to keep going, she switches schools and eventually earns a spot on the national team. Meanwhile, Baek Yi-jin, once a wealthy chaebol heir, finds himself struggling to rebuild a life after his family’s bankruptcy. As Hee-do and Yi-jin cross paths, they form a bittersweet relationship.
Dreams, Love, and the Late 90s
The drama is told through Hee-do’s diary, and it is a mix of youthful optimism and stirring nostalgia. Director Jung Ji-hyun and writer Kwon Do-eun knit the personal narratives of the protagonists with the broader socio-political landscape. At the same time, it stays true to the late 90s through elements like old-school internet cafés and the golden age of Korean fencing. The drama is led by Kim Tae-ri and Nam Joo-hyuk, who share incredible chemistry. Be warned though, because they don’t really get their happily-ever-after.
