Back to the Future in South Korea

In the past years, retro style has made its way back into mainstream, no longer becoming a relic of the past. Not only fashion, but music, sport, and even comedy of the ’80s and ’90s culture are popular once again. As media contents targeting middle-aged adults gain popularity, the craze is spreading to the younger generation.

“Through watching ‘Reply 1988,’ I was surprised to find out how similar the clothes in my wardrobe and the fashion back then are,” said Christy Yoon, a Korean American student in Hopkins Junior High School. The popularity of the “Reply” series has played a huge role in the retro phenomenon these past years. The series is focused on portraying the culture of the late ’80s and ’90s as whole–such as fashion, music, sports, and even comedy.

The music industry also reflects the new trend. Many singers remake popular hits from the ’80s, and idol groups wear vintage-style outfits such as red polka-dot shirts and brightly colored pants.

“Listening to music from the ’80s gave me a sense of connection with my parents,” added Yoon. “for my mom, the ’80s is a memory to look back on; for me, it’s a new sensation.”

Jumi Yoon

Jumi Yoon has been a reporter at JSR since 2015. As a sophomore at Mission San Jose High School, she loves playing the piano, listening to music, volunteering and traveling new places. One of her passions is learning other languages. She previously lived in Singapore, Malaysia, and Korea before coming to California. Jumi hopes to give positive impact to people through her writing.

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