tvN readies a special MT in honor of Reply 1988’s 10th anniversary, and viewers are hopeful for a full cast appearance. However, it has now been confirmed that actor Ryu Jun Yeol will not be participating due to prior filming commitments.
The announcement has naturally reignited talk about whether former couple Ryu Jun Yeol and Hyeri might appear together again.
A source told OSEN on August 13,
Ryu Jun Yeol is currently in the middle of filming the Netflix drama ‘The Rat.’ I understand that he’s unable to take on any other schedules.
This means the actor will miss the commemorative retreat planned by the production team.
Egg Is Coming, the agency representing writer Lee Woo Jung and Shin Won Ho, is currently coordinating cast schedules for an October shoot. A tvN representative cautiously confirmed,
It’s true that we are discussing content to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Reply 1988, but no specific details have been finalized.
Reply 1988, which aired from November 2015 to January 2016, became a cultural phenomenon. Originally set in 1988 Seoul, the beloved drama told the story of five childhood friends whose lives and families were deeply connected.
Ryu Jun Yeol played Kim Jung Hwan, a quiet and stoic character who secretly loved his friend Sung Deok Sun, portrayed by Hyeri. The drama’s finale reached a remarkable 18.8% nationwide viewership rating, and it propelled its young cast, including Park Bo Gum, Go Kyung Ryo, Ryu Hye Young, Hyeri, and Lee Dong Hwi, into stardom.
In August 2017, Ryu Jun Yeol and Hyeri’s on-screen chemistry transitioned into real life when they confirmed they were dating. Fans warmly embraced the couple, and saw it as a continuation of the Reply 1988 love story. The couple maintained a relatively private relationship over the years.
Their relationship, which lasted seven years, quietly came to an end in November 2023. Both sides stated the breakup was amicable and career-focused.
Just months after the breakup, Ryu Jun Yeol became embroiled in controversy when he was spotted vacationing in Hawaii in March 2024 with actress Han So Hee. Rumors quickly spread that his new romance had begun before his split with Hyeri.
Han So Hee publicly denied any overlap, stating they met months after the breakup. Nevertheless, public sentiment turned sour, with many questioning the timeline.
Hyeri added fuel to the fire when she posted a cryptic Instagram Story reading, “It’s fun.” The short but pointed message was widely interpreted by fans and the media as a reaction to the dating news.
While Han So Hee tried to clarify her stance in multiple posts, the relationship with Ryu Jun Yeol ended abruptly just two weeks later. Throughout the scandal, Ryu remained silent and avoided public comment.
Given this history, fans had been curious, and slightly anxious, about the possibility of Ryu Jun Yeol and Hyeri reuniting for the Reply 1988 anniversary. With his confirmed absence due to filming commitments, that potential on-screen meeting is now off the table.
Even without Ryu, the planned MT is expected to feature other key cast members. Still, the lack of a complete reunion is a disappointment for viewers who have cherished the series for nearly a decade.