Fan Of Reply 1988? This Seoul Street Will Take You Back To The ’70s & ’80s, Just Like The Show!

Before Seoul became the ultra-modern city of glass towers, buzzing cafés and neon-lit shopping streets, its neighbourhoods looked very different. If you’ve watched Reply 1988, you probably know exactly the kind of Seoul we’re talking about. But did you know you can still get a glimpse of that bygone era at a street in Seoul? Scroll on to take a nostalgic trip back in time.

Welcome To The 70s and 80s Streets of Memories, Seoul!

At the National Folk Museum of Korea, the outdoor exhibition ‘70’s and 80’s, Streets of Memories’ recreates what a typical Seoul neighbourhood may have looked like during the 1970s and 1980s. From tiny stationery shops and comic book stores to old-school snack joints and bathhouses, the exhibition brings everyday Seoul from decades ago back to life.

The exhibition isn’t just about old buildings. It recreates the little details that once made neighbourhoods feel like communities.

One of the first stops is Bukchon National People’s School, which offers a glimpse into school life from the era. You’ll find details such as an abacus, pump organ, briquette stove and a classroom sign reflecting the double-shift schooling system of the time.

Then there’s Hyeondae Stationery, filled with school supplies, toys and snacks that were popular back then. Think magnetic snap-pencil cases, paper dolls, ttakji (Korean paper game) and dalgona (Korean honeycomb toffee candy). Basically, the kind of shop where children could happily spend their pocket money.

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From Retro Supermarket To Korean Snacks

Remember the tiny neighbourhood stores that you see in Reply 1988 where people popped in for everyday essentials and ended up chatting with neighbours outside?

The exhibition recreates one of those too. Geundaehwa Supermarket features period products such as Miwon seasoning, Samyang Ramyeon, Lucky toothpaste, Dial soap and Hi-Ti detergent, giving visitors a peek into what a typical Korean neighbourhood shop looked like decades ago.

Next, at Kkureogi Comics, visitors can see the kind of comic-book rental shop that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. The recreated space is packed with comics and even features a colour TV, transporting visitors straight into the entertainment culture of the era.

And what’s a trip down memory lane without some food?

Manna Snacks recreates a humble neighbourhood snack shop serving favourites such as tteokbokki, fish cake, dumplings and steamed bread. The large tteokbokki griddle under the shop’s awning is designed to evoke the kind of school-day snack stops that were once a familiar part of everyday life.

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From Old-School Barbershops To Music Tearooms

The nostalgia continues with Hwagae Barbershop, inspired by a Jongno barbershop from the era, complete with period hair-cutting and shaving tools.

Then there’s Yaksok Tearoom, a recreation of the music cafes where people would meet over tea while listening to songs played by a DJ. The space features period touches such as pay phones with memo pads and a menu including ssanghwacha and doraji whiskey tea.

For a glimpse at fashion from the time, head to Star Boutique, where visitors can see how women’s clothing was sold and tailored, with fabrics and designs selected by customers.

The exhibition also includes a photo studio showcasing the importance of printed photographs before the smartphone era. It recreates the kind of neighbourhood studios where families would get photographs taken for birthdays, weddings, babies’ milestones and other special occasions.

There’s also a general appliance store filled with televisions, radios and phonographs, reflecting how home electronics became increasingly popular during the 1980s.

And then comes Jangsu Bathhouse, offering a glimpse into the communal bathing culture of the time, including traditional bathing areas, scrubber beds, barbers and even shoeshine services.

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So, if Reply 1988 left you craving a little more of that old Seoul nostalgia, this is one place where you can actually walk through it. No time machine required.

Cover Image Courtesy: website/nfm.go.kr

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