Ep 8. Episode 8

In Reply 1988 season 1 episode 8, the focus of the story shifts towards Deok-sun's older sister, Bo-ra, and her future prospects. Bo-ra is struggling with choosing between an arranged marriage and her own ambitions to study abroad and start a career. Her parents, particularly her father, believe that her duty lies in getting married and starting a family, while her mother empathizes with her daughter's dreams.

As Bo-ra struggles with this decision, her brothers and their friends try to help her out by introducing her to eligible bachelors and even arranging a blind date for her. Despite this, Bo-ra remains conflicted and seeks guidance from her grandmother, who advises her to follow her heart and prioritize her own aspirations.

Meanwhile, Dong-ryong continues to pine after his crush, Ryu Hye-young, and decides to take a bold move by sending her a love letter. Unfortunately for him, his plan backfires, as Hye-young misunderstands his intentions and thinks the letter is a prank from the boys. Hurt and embarrassed, Dong-ryong tries to save face by denying that he had sent the letter, leading to an awkward confrontation between the two.

The episode also sees the return of Taek's father, who had been away on a business trip for several weeks. His presence reminds the group of Taek's recent tournament win and the sacrifices he had made in order to achieve it. Despite his success, Taek remains humble and focused on his love for the game, and continues to seek comfort in his friendship with the rest of the group.

As the episode comes to a close, the characters continue to navigate their respective challenges, with Bo-ra taking a brave step towards forging her own path and Dong-ryong dealing with his unrequited feelings for Hye-young. The episode showcases the strength of family bonds and the importance of following one's passions, even in the face of societal pressure to conform to traditional values.