A nostalgic wave is sweeping Korean television as networks capitalize on Generation Z's fascination with bygone eras through meticulously crafted period dramas. Shows like tvN's "Typhoon Family," JTBC's "A Hundred Memories," and Netflix's "Aema" are transporting viewers back to the analog sensibilities of the 1980s and 1990s, complete with cassette tapes, pagers, and neon-lit dance battles that defined those decades.

The new tvN series "Typhoon Family," which premiered on Saturday, has garnered significant attention for its authentic recreation of 1990s Korean culture. The drama's opening sequence masterfully draws viewers into the heart of 1990s Seoul, panning across the bustling offices of Typhoon Trading, a medium-sized firm in Euljiro, while simultaneously showcasing the flashy nightclub scene in Apgujeong. The show features the notorious Orange Tribe, affluent twenty-somethings from Seoul's upscale Gangnam District who embodied the glamour and excess of their era through televised interviews and extravagant lifestyles.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, "Typhoon Family" follows the story of Typhoon Trading after the sudden death of its president, Kang Jin-young, played by Sung Dong-il. As bankruptcy looms over the company, his inexperienced son Tae-poong, portrayed by Lee Jun-ho, steps in as successor, marking the beginning of his coming-of-age journey. The character brings Korea's Generation X spirit to life with his distinctive style featuring earrings, streaks of colored hair, and a talent for nightclub dance battles, capturing the era's bold, fashion-obsessed culture in intricate detail.

The production team's commitment to historical accuracy has been exceptional, with director Lee Na-jeong stating at a recent press conference, "We believed that an honest, detailed portrayal of 1997 forms the drama's very identity." To achieve this authenticity, the team sourced rare museum-grade props including vintage telex machines and conducted extensive interviews with office workers from that period. Characters interact naturally with era-specific items like pagers, outgoing-call-only city phones, cassette tapes, and abacuses, while making appearances on the beloved dating show "Love Studio" to deepen the nostalgic experience.

"Typhoon Family" has shown strong viewer engagement, with ratings climbing from 5.9 percent to 6.8 percent in its second episode, demonstrating audiences' appetite for both nostalgia and compelling storytelling. The series is available globally on Netflix, allowing international viewers to experience this slice of Korean history.

JTBC's weekend drama "A Hundred Memories," which premiered on September 13, transports viewers to 1980s Korea through the friendship story of two spirited young women. Young-rye, played by Kim Da-mi, and Jong-hee, portrayed by Shin Ye-eun, work as bus conductors whose relationship faces challenges when they encounter Jae-pil, a privileged yet troubled youth played by Heo Nam-jun. The drama centers around the iconic Route 100 bus and highlights the unique cultural role of bus conductors who collected fares, guided passengers, and signaled departures with their memorable cry of "Alright!"

The production team for "A Hundred Memories" went to extraordinary lengths to recreate authentic 1980s Seoul by sourcing and restoring vintage buses that once operated in the city. Director Kim Sang-ho emphasized that the series goes beyond period aesthetics, focusing on authentically conveying the lived emotions of the era. The show brings to life evocative details from 1980s youth culture, including cheering notes passed between night school and daytime students, popular radio requests at music cafes, and the excitement of group dating after school while still wearing uniforms.

Netflix's "Aema," released in August, adds another dimension to the retro trend by focusing on 1980s Chungmuro, the center of Korean cinema. The drama depicts the behind-the-scenes story of creating the sensational erotic film "Madame Aema," following top star Hee-ran, played by Lee Ha-nee, and newcomer Ju-ae, portrayed by Bang Hyo-rin. As they confront industry corruption, pressures, and rivalry, the two women eventually form a bond of solidarity amid the chaotic film industry of that era.

The production team of "Aema" devoted significant effort to authentically revive both the energy of 1980s film sets and the cultural atmosphere of an era caught between tradition and rapid modernization. The series is particularly notable for its meticulous recreation of 1980s fashion and hairstyling, featuring the era's bold silhouettes, voluminous permed hair, oversized blazers with assertive shoulder pads, high-waisted trousers, and vibrant color palettes that defined the decade's aesthetic.

No discussion of retro Korean dramas would be complete without acknowledging the groundbreaking "Reply" trilogy: "Reply 1997," "Reply 1994," and "Reply 1988." These series reshaped Korean television by blending nostalgic coming-of-age stories with vivid snapshots of 1980s and 1990s society, offering both heartfelt reflection and sharp social commentary. "Reply 1997," which aired in 2012 and was set in the southeastern port city of Busan during the late 1990s, explored the rise of K-pop idols, the birth of fandom culture, and the transition from analog to digital life.

"Reply 1994," broadcast in 2013 and set in mid-1990s Seoul, followed university students from different regions as they struggled to adapt to urban life. Meanwhile, "Reply 1988," which aired in 2015, was set in a working-class Seoul neighborhood during the pivotal year of 1988, marked by the Seoul Olympics, student protests, and rapid modernization. The series functioned as more than entertainment, serving as a cultural archive that used era-specific music, fashion, language, and social customs to engage meaningfully with Korea's past.

Culture critic Kim Hern-sik explains the current retro boom as a reflection of generational longing, noting that "the late 1980s and 1990s were foundational in shaping every archetype of contemporary pop culture for the present-day MZ generation." He points out that Generation Z, born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, tends to view the analog sensibilities and community warmth they never personally experienced as refreshing and meaningful, giving new significance to these qualities.

This sentiment resonates with viewers like 36-year-old Kim Ji-young, who admits she's unfamiliar with the day-to-day life of 1980s youth yet remains an avid fan of dramas set in that era. "Seeing younger celebrities like Jennie and her peers wear wired earphones and enjoy retro styles is curious and new," she observed. "Surely wanting to be noticed by doing something different plays a role, but I think there's more to it than that."

The appeal of these retro dramas extends beyond mere nostalgia, tapping into a deeper cultural longing for simpler times. As Kim Ji-young explains, "Today's generation was born into smartphones. In this age of rapid speed and relentless information, expecting innocence is almost impossible. The 1980s and 1990s have become symbols of purity. So when watching dramas that capture that era, a warmth and longing is awakened—a nostalgic yearning for a gentler, more innocent time."