I will keep this short and sweet, much like the 3-episode 10th anniversary reunion of our beloved Reply 1988.
Initially, the groups were divided by families -
(1) Dongil (Hospital Playlist 1 and 2, Jirisan, Ms. Hammurabi, Live, Prison Playbook, Moon Lovers, Reply 1994, and Reply 1997), Ilhwa (She Was Pretty, My Love from the Star, Reply 1994, and Reply 1997), Bora (Ryu Hyeyoung of Law School and Law and the City), Deoksun (Hyeri of Record of Youth), and Noeul (Choi Sungwon of Prison Playbook);
(2) Sungkyun (12.12: The Day, D.P. 1 and 2, Moving, Hospital Playlist, Moon Lovers, and Reply 1994), Miran (The Last Princess and Resident Playbook), Jungbong (Ahn Jaehong of Fight for My Way), Junghwan (Ryu Junyeol of A Taxi Driver, The 8 Show, and The Producers), and Miok (Lee Minji of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born); and
(3) Moosung (Hospital Playlist, Mr. Sunshine, Prison Playbook, and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bokjoo), Sunyoung (Juror 8, Our Unwritten Seoul, Crash Course in Romance, The Silent Sea, Hospital Playlist, Crash Landing on You, Vagabond, At Eighteen, Romance is a Bonus Book, and Prison Playbook), Sunwoo (Go Kyungpyo of D.P. 1 and 2, Love in Contract, and Warm and Cozy), Taek (Park Bogum of Seobok, Good Boy, Record of Youth, Itaewon Class, Encounter, and The Producers), Jaemyung (Hospital Playlist 2, Vincenzo, Itaewon Class, Prison Playbook, Strong Girl Bongsoon, and Misaeng), and Dongryong (Lee Donghwi of Exit, Extreme Job, and Confidential Assignment).
Each group played games where they earned money that they can use for lunch when they meet up with the other groups.
It was nostalgic to see the actors arrive with memorabilia from the show, Hyeri's script with notes, a music player used in the drama, and Miran arriving in her trademark cheetah attire, among others.
The games were so much fun, especially those that had something to do with the show. It was hilarious seeing Dongil's poor family lose and still depend on other families for dole outs. I also liked the game where the dads had to play something related to their jobs in the drama - Dongil the banker counting cash while singing, Moosung the watch shop owner, trying to press the timer to stop at 19 seconds and 88 microseconds without looking, and Jaemyung the teacher trying to hit a target on a chalkboard with a chalk after spinning 5 times.
Of course I loved the flashbacks. It's crazy how the scenes that made me laugh out loud and cry so hard when I first watched the show still had the same effect on me.
Admittedly, it would have been more nostalgic if Ryu Junyeol stayed overnight. It was sad how all the other families were referred to by the name of the main cast (Deoksun's family, etc.), but Junghwan's was called Jungbong's family. But I guess his controversial breakup with Hyeri might still be too fresh to force the two of them to be together.
One of the highlights of the show was Jinju's (Kim Sul) special appearance. A lot of them shed tears when she arrived. I guess because among all of the actors on the show, she physically represented the growth they've all been through in the past 10 years - how most of them have found their niches in the entertainment industry, Bogum's rise to being an A-lister, and Hyeri's breakup, among others.
I loved the reunion show. It was nice seeing all of the actors reminisce about the past and hear stories about how they've kept in touch throughout the years, proof of the lasting bond they've formed as neighbors in Ssangmundong.
P.S. I still use Hyehwadong as my phone ring tone and it's sad to know that the singer Park Boram passed away in 2024.
Oppa says...4.5.
Noona says...4.8.