Aamir Khan’s Ex-Wife Kiran Rao Wishes To Remake THIS K-Drama For Indian Viewers

Filmmaker Kiran Rao has revealed which Korean drama she would love to remake for Indian audiences. During a recent podcast appearance, she picked Reply 1988, a much-loved series known for its heartfelt family stories and close-knit community. She also explained why the show's portrayal of parents makes it stand out from other coming-of-age dramas.

Speaking on The Popcorn Hour, Rao praised the series for giving equal importance to different generations. While the story follows young friends navigating love and growing up, their parents have equally engaging lives of their own. The filmmaker believes these parallel stories are among the drama's biggest strengths.

During the conversation, Kiran Rao spoke about her interest in Korean dramas and singled out Reply 1988 as a show she would like to adapt. She said, “Best K-drama is a show called Reply 1988. It’s a fantastic show. It’s actually set in 1988. In fact, that’s something I would love to remake."

Rao was particularly impressed by the way the series portrays its older characters. The parents are not limited to supporting their children's journeys. They face personal struggles, deal with relationship issues and hold on to dreams of their own. This gives the story a wider emotional range than a typical teenage drama.

She also drew a connection between the show's neighbourhood setting and the para culture associated with Kolkata. Rao said, “The genuine jewel of this show is the older women, the mothers, and the fathers. They are just so good. It’s set in a para, as they call it, a neighbourhood in Seoul in 1988. In fact, in Kolkata also you call it para only."

While Rao has expressed an interest in a remake, no official Indian adaptation has been announced.

Released in 2015, Reply 1988 is a South Korean slice-of-life drama directed by Shin Won-ho and written by Lee Woo-jung. The 20-episode series is set in Seoul's Ssangmun-dong neighbourhood and follows five families living along the same alley. Its story begins in 1988, around the time of the Seoul Olympics, and later moves between the characters' younger years and adult lives.

The central group includes Sung Deok-sun, played by Lee Hye-ri; Kim Jung-hwan, played by Ryu Jun-yeol; Choi Taek, played by Park Bo-gum; Sung Sun-woo, played by Go Kyung-pyo; and Ryu Dong-ryong, played by Lee Dong-hwi. As childhood friends, they face school pressures, family expectations, first love and the uncertainty of growing up. The story also keeps viewers guessing about who Deok-sun eventually marries.

Yet romance is only one part of the drama. Its parents have their own friendships, financial worries and marital challenges. The families also rely on one another during difficult times, creating a sense of community that extends beyond the main characters.

The series became a major hit in South Korea, with its finale earning a nationwide rating of 18.8%, according to Nielsen Korea. Its popularity has continued well beyond its original run. In December 2025, the cast reunited for a 10th-anniversary special, giving viewers another look at the characters and relationships that made the show memorable.