How to watch
Reply Series Watch Order in the correct order
How to watch Reply Series in order
Last updated: November 13 2026
Written by: ChronoAlice
The Reply series is a trio of beloved Korean dramas that capture nostalgia for 1980s and 1990s Korea. Here is the best order to watch Reply 1997, 1994 and 1988.
Created by director Shin Won-ho and writer Lee Woo-jung, the Reply series follows groups of friends and families in different eras, each wrapped around a mystery about who the heroine ends up marrying. Reply 1988 is widely considered one of the greatest K-dramas ever made. The shows are anthology-style, with new casts and stories in each installment.
π Release Order
Release order lets you see how the creators refined their formula over three shows.
- Reply 1997 (2012)
- Reply 1994 (2013)
- Reply 1988 (2015)
Because each drama is set in a different year, chronological order runs in reverse compared to release order.
π Story Chronology
Sorted by setting, the series starts in a Seoul alley in 1988, then moves to a college boarding house in 1994 and a Busan high school in 1997.
- Reply 1988 (2015)
- Reply 1994 (2013)
- Reply 1997 (2012)
Which Order Should You Choose?
Since every entry is self-contained, you can technically start anywhere. We recommend release order, because each drama raises the bar on the last and Reply 1988 makes a fantastic finale. Watching it first can make the earlier shows feel smaller by comparison. If you love period settings, chronological order is a fun way to travel through Korean pop culture.
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