Reply 1994 () is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Go Ara, Jung Woo, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Sung-kyun, Son Ho-jun, Baro, Min Do-hee, Sung Dong-il, and Lee Il-hwa. It aired on tvN from October 18 to December 28, 2013 for 21 episodes.
Written by Lee Woo-jung and directed by Shin Won-ho, 1994 is the second installment of the Reply series. Its final episode garnered an average viewership rating of 11.509%, making it one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television history.
Synopsis
Set in 1994, six university students from various provincial areas of South Korea (Jeolla Province, Chungcheong Province and Gyeongsang Province) live together at a boarding house in Sinchon, Seoul, which is run by a couple with a daughter named Sung Na-jung (Go Ara).
Like its predecessor, Reply 1997, the series follows a nonlinear story telling where it shifts between the past in 1994 and the present in 2013, making the viewers guess who will become Na-jung's husband among the male characters.
The series follows the historically and culturally significant events that happened in the country in 1994 and the years that followed, including the emergence of seminal K-pop group Seo Taiji and Boys, the Sampoong Department Store collapse and the birth of the Korean Basketball League. The names of the boys are revealed later, to avoid spoilers. They're mostly just referred to by their nicknames listed below.
Cast
Main
Go Ara as Sung Na-jung
Originally from Masan, South Gyeongsang Province, she is majoring in Computer Engineering, has an easygoing personality and is a big fan of basketball player Lee Sang-min.
Jung Woo as "Sseureki" (meaning "Garbage" or "Trash") A medical student. He was the best friend of Na-jung's late older brother, and grew up with the Sung siblings. (Hometown: Masan, South Gyeongsang Province)
Yoo Yeon-seok as "Chilbong" (meaning "Seven Shut-outs) Although he is only a freshman, he is the number one pitcher of Yonsei University's baseball team. He has a crush on Na-jung. (Hometown: Gangnam, Seoul)
Kim Sung-kyun as "Samcheonpo" (referencing his hometown) He looks much older than he actually is. (Hometown: Samcheonpo, South Gyeongsang Province)
Son Ho-jun as "Haitai" (referencing baseball team Haitai Tigers) His father is the CEO of the bus company Suncheon Transportation Inc. (Hometown: Suncheon, South Jeolla Province)
Baro as "Binggeure" (meaning "Smiley"; referencing baseball team Binggrae Eagles) Chilbong's cousin, and Garbage's junior in school. (Hometown: Goesan, North Chungcheong Province)
Min Do-hee as Jo Yoon-jin
A fan of Seo Taiji and Boys, and a quiet, aggressive student. (Hometown: Yeosu, South Jeolla Province)
Sung Dong-il as Sung Dong-il
A coach of the baseball team Seoul Ssangdungi, and Na-jung's father.
Lee Il-hwa as Lee Il-hwa
She runs a boarding house in Seoul along with her husband Dong-il and daughter Na-jung.
Supporting
Yook Sung-jae as Sung Joon ("Ssuk-ssuk") Sung Joon (Sung Dong-il's son) as young Sung Joon Shin Soo-yeon as young Sung Na-jung Yoon Jong-hoon as Kim Ki-tae Yeon Joon-seok as Kim Dong-woo Lee Bong-ryun as Na-jung's classmate