Goodbye “Reply 1994,” Final Episode Ratings

“Reply 1994” has finally ended its run. How did its final episode fare in terms of ratings?

Cable network tvN’s Friday-Saturday drama “Reply 1994” recorded average ratings of 11.9% and a peak rating of 11.9% for its final episode, broadcast on December 28. That’s a 1.8% improvement in average ratings from the previous episode aired on Friday, which scored 10.1% in ratings, making Episode 21 the most watched episode of the drama. This also means that excluding the three terrestrial broadcasters (SBS, MBC and KBS), “Reply 1994” has the distinction of being the most highly rated drama of all time.

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Peak 1-minute ratings for the final episode was a heartwarming scene in which Sam Cheon Po (Kim Sung Kyun) and Haitai (Son Ho Joon) were packing blankets in preparation for moving house. It didn’t matter who the original owner of the blanket was, because “what’s yours is mine, what’s mine is yours,” reinforcing that their friendship was special.

In Episode 21, “To the 90s,” it was finally revealed that Trash (Jung Woo) is Na Jung’s (Go Ara) husband. Having spent the past 20 or so years as brother and sister, Na Jung’s first love and special someone, Trash, was revealed to be the mysterious Kim Jae Joon, proving that sometimes, first loves can work out.

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It wasn’t so much the mystery of who Na Jung’s husband was that excited viewers, but the heady rush of nostalgia as we were brought back on a tour of the 90s. The bond of friendship and kinship was moving, right up till the very end. Even though everyone left the boarding house in 2002, they remained fast friends through the years and right into the present.

For those who can’t bear to see the show go, there will be a special “Reply 1994 Epilogue” airing on January 3 (Friday) at 8:40 PM KST.

“Emergency Man and Woman” follows “Reply 1994” on tvN. Click here for more information.