응답하라 xxxx

The "Reply XXXX" meme began to gain popularity with the great success of the tvN drama series "Reply." Starting with "Reply 1997" in 2012, followed by "Reply 1994" in 2013, and "Reply 1988" which aired from 2015 to 2016, the series gained widespread popularity, achieving high viewership ratings and generating significant buzz with each installment. Following the dramas' success, the phrase "Reply XXXX" became widely used in daily life and media, establishing itself as a common idiom.

This meme originates from the tvN drama series "Reply," directed by Shin Won-ho. It is primarily used by inserting a specific year (XXXX) to evoke memories or nostalgia for that era. Additionally, it is used in contexts where one demands a response from their past self or from someone currently unresponsive (absent). It is also employed in various situations, such as New Year's addresses, to reminisce about the past and discuss the present.

"Reply XXXX" is pronounced as "Ree-ply [year]," where [year] is replaced by the specific four-digit number.

The "Reply XXXX" meme is widely used by people of all ages and genders, not limited to a specific age group or gender, because the drama series itself garnered significant empathy and popularity across all generations. In particular, since the drama heavily featured retro themes, it tends to be used more actively by generations who directly experienced the eras depicted in the drama, evoking even greater nostalgia for them.

• "Reply 2002! I miss the passion of the World Cup."
• "You can express your joy when meeting an old friend by exclaiming, 'Reply, my youth!'"
• "It can be used for a friend who is hard to reach, like 'Reply, Kim Cheol-su!'"
• "It is also used in New Year's addresses, such as 'Reply, 2024, our hopeful future!'"