Popular dramas 'Reply 1988' and 'Goblin' celebrate 10th anniversaries with special spin-off variety shows

17 Jul 2026, 06:00 by spjw99 · allkpop

The world of K-dramas is revisiting its past, as beloved series 'Reply 1988' and 'Goblin' mark their 10th anniversaries with special spin-off variety shows. This trend sees original cast members reuniting to reminisce about their iconic roles and share behind-the-scenes stories, offering fans a mix of nostalgia and fresh entertainment.

tvN's hit drama 'Reply 1988', which captured hearts with its warm tales of five families in Ssangmun-dong in 2015, launched its special variety show, 'Reply 1988 10th Anniversary', in December 2025. The program brought together a star-studded cast including Hyeri, Park Bo Gum, Go Kyung Pyo, Sung Dong Il, Ra Mi Ran, Yoo Jae Myung, and Kim Sung Kyun. They embarked on a charming one-night, two-day trip, engaging in games and sharing candid conversations about their experiences filming the drama.

Beyond the variety show, the cast of 'Reply 1988' also lent their voices to the drama's memorable original soundtracks. They released new recordings of beloved songs such as "Every Day With You" and "Don't Worry, My Dear," allowing fans to relive the emotional depth of the series through music. This thoughtful gesture added another layer of fan service to the anniversary celebrations.

Similarly, tvN's 'Goblin' (officially titled 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God'), a fantasy romance that became a cultural phenomenon, celebrated its own 10th anniversary in July 2026 with 'Goblin 10th Anniversary Trip'. The idea for this special originated from actress Kim Go Eun, who suggested the cast reunite. The show featured lead actors Gong Yoo, Lee Dong Wook, Kim Go Eun, and Yoo In Na embarking on a one-night, two-day journey to Gangneung, a significant filming location for the drama.

These anniversary specials highlight the lasting appeal of these dramas, which continue to be cherished as 'life dramas' by many viewers. Even a decade later, the strong bond and chemistry among the actors, visible beyond their scripted roles, offer a unique fan experience. A representative from tvN shared that the decision to create these specials for 'Goblin' and 'Reply 1988' stemmed from their status as intellectual properties that transcend generations, noting, "The well-crafted narratives, characters, and relationships among the actors remain vivid in viewers' memories even after 10 years."

The specials also provide an engaging look at the actors' growth and changes over the past decade. For instance, Kim Sun Young and Go Kyung Pyo were visibly moved by the growth of child actress Kim Seol, who played Jinju at age five. Gong Yoo expressed his delight seeing Yoon Kyung Ho, who played a minor role as his loyal subordinate in 'Goblin', achieve significant success as a popular actor today.

From a broadcasting perspective, leveraging established 'life drama' IPs for variety shows offers significant advantages. It allows networks to re-evaluate and expand the value of original content without the need to develop entirely new formats or scout for new talent. Given the strong fandoms already in place, these shows also guarantee a certain level of buzz and viewership, proving to be an efficient strategy in a competitive content landscape.

The trend is expanding, with KBS also reportedly discussing a 10th-anniversary special for its drama 'Love in the Moonlight'. This historical romance, based on a web novel and starring Park Bo Gum and Kim Yoo Jung, achieved a peak nationwide viewership rating of 23.3% according to Nielsen Korea. The lead actors are currently in positive discussions regarding their appearances, though specific details about the program's format and broadcast date are yet to be finalized.

While experts like popular culture critic Ha Jae Geun view these spin-off variety shows as a positive expansion of intellectual property, they also caution against an over-reliance on past hits. Ha Jae Geun noted that while these shows naturally appeal to those who miss and cherish the original works, a complete shift towards only reviving old successes could hinder the development of new, competitive programs. He emphasized, "Broadcasters and production companies should be wary of this point."

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