School and youth dramas in Korea often deal with the challenges, dreams, romances, and friendships of young people. Here’s a list of some beloved school/youth K-dramas:
1. “School” Series:
- “School 2013” (2012-2013): A realistic portrayal of the problems faced by students and teachers in schools, including bullying and the pressures of the education system.
- There are other installments in the “School” series that capture different years and themes related to school life.
2. “Reply” Series (also known as “Answer Me” Series):
- “Reply 1997” (2012): Centered around the ’90s K-pop idol fandom culture, high school friendships, and family.
- “Reply 1994” (2013): Focuses on college students from various parts of Korea living in a boarding house in Seoul in 1994.
- “Reply 1988” (2015-2016): Chronicles the lives of five families living on the same street in the year 1988.
3. “Dream High” (2011): Follows the lives of students at a performing arts high school as they aspire to become K-pop stars.
4. “Boys Over Flowers” (2009): Based on the Japanese manga “Hana Yori Dango,” it’s about a girl from a poor background who gets involved with the elite “F4” group at a prestigious school.
5. “Playful Kiss” (2010): Based on the Japanese manga “Itazura na Kiss,” it’s about the romantic relationship between a smart and popular boy and a not-so-academically-gifted girl.
6. “To The Beautiful You” (2012): Based on the Japanese manga “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e,” it’s about a girl who disguises herself as a boy to enter an all-boys school to meet her idol.
7. “Who Are You: School 2015” (2015): A story of a girl who suffers from amnesia after a traumatic experience and her journey of discovering her identity.
8. “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo” (2016-2017): A coming-of-age story about a young female weightlifter and her friends, focusing on their passion, young love, and personal growth.
9. “Love Alarm” (2019 & 2021): In a world where a mobile application can tell if someone within a 10-meter radius has romantic feelings for you, the drama explores the complexities of love and technology.
10. “Extracurricular” (2020): A darker youth drama revolving around a high school student who gets involved in a serious crime to make a living.
11. “Moment at Eighteen” (also known as “At Eighteen”) (2019): Chronicles the lives of 18-year-old high school students as they go through the challenges and growing pains of youth.
12. “Youth of May” (2021): Set against the backdrop of the Gwangju Uprising in 1980, it’s a heartfelt story about youth, love, and the harsh realities of history.
Kdrama Recommendations 