Popular tvN drama “Reply 1988” recorded its highest viewership rating Saturday since its Nov. 6 premiere, proving its ever-surging popularity across age groups.

The 10th and latest episode pulled a nationwide viewership of 13.4 percent, according to Nielsen ratings. The figure is a 1.8 percent hike from the previous episode and the show’s highest to date.

Scenes from "Reply 1988" (tvN)

The drama also recorded the highest viewer ratings among all cable channel programs in its timeslot.

In the episode, protagonist Sung Deok-sun (Lee Hyeri) notices her childhood friend Jung-hwan (Ryu Jun-yeol) has feelings for her, while another guy friend Taek (Park Bo-gum) reveals to his friends -- including Jung-hwan -- that he likes Deok-sun, foreshadowing a love triangle to unfold in upcoming episodes.

Meanwhile, Deok-sun’s older sister Bo-ra (Ryu Hye-young) and Sun-woo (Go Kyung-pyo) finally decide to start dating.

“Reply 1988” centers on family and everyday life against the backdrop of a small Seoul neighborhood in 1988. The 20-episode series airs every Friday and Saturday at 7:50 p.m. on cable channel tvN.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)