English and Korean songs featured in Reply 1988 that were massive hits in Korea

The Reply 1988 soundtrack is famous for capturing the specific "emotional pop" vibe that dominated South Korea in the late 80s. During this time, Western pop music (often called "Pop Song" 팝송 in Korea) was primarily consumed through radio and cassette tapes, with a heavy preference for soft rock and sentimental ballads.

Here are the most prominent English pop songs featured in Reply 1988 that were massive hits in Korea at the time.

1. "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" – George Benson

This is arguably the most memorable English song in the entire series.

The Scene: It is featured in the very first episode when the five friends are gathered in a room, singing along to the radio loudly and incorrectly (mumbling the verses and shouting the chorus).
Why it was popular: While Glenn Medeiros released a famous cover in 1987, George Benson's original (1985) was a staple of Korean radio. Its romantic, easy-to-sing melody made it a "nationwide anthem" for Korean youth.

2. "I Just Called to Say I Love You" – Stevie Wonder

The Context: This song appears frequently as background music in the series to set the time period.
Why it was popular: Released in 1984, this was one of the few Western songs that transcended language barriers completely in Korea. The simple English lyrics allowed even non-English speakers to understand and sing the chorus, making it a favorite request on Korean radio DJ shows.

3. "Reality" – Richard Sanderson

The Scene: This song is famously used in a parody of the French movie La Boum (1980). In the drama, Deok-sun mimics the scene where the male lead puts headphones on Sophie Marceau.
Why it was popular: La Boum was a cultural phenomenon in 1980s Korea. This song became the definitive track for "teenage romance" and remains one of the most recognized "old pop" songs in Korea today.

4. "Last Christmas" – Wham

The Scene: Played during the Christmas episodes (specifically near the end of the year timelines in the show).
Why it was popular: Wham! was incredibly popular in Korea (George Michael was a major heartthrob). This song became the default background music for every bakery and record store in Seoul during December throughout the 80s.

5. "Right Here Waiting" – Richard Marx

The Context: While released in 1989 (technically a year after the show starts), it appears in the later timeline of the drama as the characters move toward the 90s.
Why it was popular: Richard Marx was one of the most beloved foreign artists in Korea. His ballads aligned perfectly with the Korean sensibility of Han (sadness/longing), and this song is still a noraebang (karaoke) favorite in Korea.

Honorable Mention: "Ice Cream Love" – Im Byeong Su

While technically sung by a Korean artist, the song is a cover of a Spanish track and features Spanish lyrics. It is famous in the show for the scene where Deok-sun and Dong-ryong do a comedic dance to it. It reflects the 80s trend in Korea of embracing "exotic" catchy tunes regardless of the language.

A Cultural Note on "Pop Songs" in 80s Korea

In the 1980s, Korea had strict censorship and limited travel, so music was a primary window to the outside world.

"Gilboard" Charts: Many people bought pirated mixtapes from street vendors (dubbed "Gilboard" charts, a play on Billboard).
Radio DJs: DJs like Lee Jong-hwan were celebrities who introduced these English songs. The characters in Reply 1988 are often seen sending postcards to these radio shows hoping their favorite pop song would be played.

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"Reply 1988" is often called a tribute to 1980s Korean music (Gayo). The drama relies heavily on the original hits from that era to drive the plot, though the official soundtrack (OST) often features modern remakes.

Here are the most iconic Korean songs heard in the show, categorized by their original artists (who were the real stars of 1988).

1. The "Narrator" of the Era: Lee Moon-sae

Lee Moon-sae is the most important musical figure in the series. He is the radio DJ (Starry Night) that the characters listen to every night.

"A Little Girl" (소녀): Often played during romantic moments between Taek and Deok-sun. The original 1985 version is by Lee Moon-sae; the drama OST version is by Oh Hyuk.
"Red Sunset" (붉은 노을): A high-energy pop-rock track that is synonymous with late 80s youth.
"Flying, Deep in the Night" (깊은 밤을 날아서): Used to show the vibrant energy of the characters' daily lives.

2. The College Music Festival Anthem: Shin Hae-chul

"To You" (그대에게) – Infinite Track (Muhan Gwedo): The Scene: This is the song displayed on the TV during the "1988 College Music Festival" scene where the neighborhood gathers to watch. It is the grand prize winner. The synthesized intro is instantly recognizable to any Korean. It represents the explosion of youth culture in Korea. Shin Hae-chul (the lead singer) became a legend in Korean rock history.

3. Legends of Folk & Rock

"Youth" (청춘) – Sanulrim (Kim Chang-wan): The heartbreaking song that often plays when the older characters (the parents) reflect on their aging or sacrifices. "Someday, this youth will go away..." The OST version is sung by Kim Feel, but the original by Sanulrim (1981) carries the heavy, nostalgic weight of the era.
"Don't Worry, My Dear" (걱정말아요 그대) – Jeon In-kwon (Deulgukhwa): The main healing song of the series. The OST remake is by Lee Juck, but the original singer, Jeon In-kwon, is known as the "God of Korean Rock."

4. 80s Dance & Performance

"Story of Last Night" (어젯밤 이야기) – Sobangcha (Fire Truck): The three boys (Jung-hwan, Dong-ryong, Sun-woo) famously perform the choreography to this song at the school talent show. Sobangcha was Korea’s first major "boy band" idol group. Their acrobatic dance moves were a sensation.
"Rhythm Within the Dance" (리듬 속의 그 춤을) – Kim Wan-sun: Kim Wan-sun was the "Madonna of Korea." Her songs are frequently heard when the girls try to dance or look cool.

5. Sentimental Ballads

"Hyehwadong" (혜화동) – The Zoo (Dongmulwon)
The Scene: Often used as the "Ssangmun-dong" neighborhood theme song, played during montages of the alleyway. The lyrics about leaving a childhood neighborhood fit the show's ending perfectly.
"The Only Thing I Can Give You Is Love" (네게 줄 수 있는 건 오직 사랑뿐) – Byun Jin-sub: Byun Jin-sub was the "King of Ballads" in the late 80s. This song appears in the background of candy-store dates and quiet confessions.
"APT" (아파트) – Yoon Su-il: One of the most iconic Korean pop songs of the 1980s. The catchy, looping melody became a cultural phenomenon, and its simple, cheerful refrain made it instantly singable for everyone — from children to adults. The Scene: Early in the drama Reply 1988, this song sparks one of its most joyful and memorable moments — Ra Mi-ran and two other neighborhood mothers dance together with wild enthusiasm in the living room, while all the kids pile into one room nearby. It perfectly captures the warmth and communal energy of Ssangmun-dong life. For years, "APT" (아파트) held the #1 spot as Korea's most beloved norebang (karaoke) song — the kind of track that needs no introduction at any singing room, regardless of age or generation. When ROSÉ (of BLACKPINK) released her global hit "APT." in 2024, Koreans instantly thought of the beloved original — sparking a remarkable 역주행 (reverse chart run) that brought the 1982 classic back to a whole new generation.

6. The "Cho Yong-pil" Craze

You cannot talk about 1980s Korea without Cho Yong-pil. He was (and is) considered the "King of Singers."

"Leopard of Kilimanjaro" (킬리만자로의 표범): Ra Mi-ran (Jung-hwan's mom) sings this passionately at the singing contest (before failing due to the tape accompaniment). It is a long, spoken-word epic song that was massive at the time.

Quick Tip for Listening: If you look these up on Spotify or YouTube, search for the "Reply 1988 Director's Cut OST" to get the modern covers, or search the Artist Name (e.g., Lee Moon-sae) to hear the vintage originals that the characters actually heard on their radios.