High school K-dramas are growing in popularity as they explore themes such as bullying, family pressures, and the challenges faced by today’s teenagers. Some K-dramas offer satire on the dark aspects present in high schools while also exploring themes of love, personal growth, and lasting friendships.
These K-dramas feature talented cast members who bring carefully written characters to life. The well-crafted narratives and emotional depth of these Korean high school series make them viewers’ favorites. They offer unique perspectives on high school culture, allowing viewers to better understand the challenges young adults face.
1- Hierarchy
Chu Hye-mi wrote this high school K-drama, released in June 2024. The series stars Roh Jeong-eui, Kim Jae-won, Lee Chae-min, Lee Won-jong, and Ji Hye-won. The plot revolves around young individuals attending one of the most prestigious high schools in South Korea, Jooshin High School. The protagonist, Kang Ha, is engaged in a secret mission that threatens the established order among the school’s elite. The story explores themes of love, revenge, and friendship among young adults. The K-drama is available on Netflix.
2- Lovely Runner
“Lovely Runner” is an adaptation of the web novel “Tomorrow’s Best,” starring Kim Hye-yoon, Song Geon-hee, Lee Seung-hyub, and “Strong Girl Nam-soon” star Byeon Woo-seok. This high school romantic K-drama tells the love story of a film director, Im Sol, who wakes up in a classroom fifteen years in the past and strives to rectify the tragic fate that awaits her love , Sun-jae. This K-drama, co-directed by Yoon Jong-ho and Kim Tae-yeop, debuted on April 8, 2024 and is available on Viki in some regions.
3- Weak Hero Class 1
The series “Weak Hero Class 1” is a high school K-drama starring Park Ji-hoon, Hong Kyung, Choi Hyun-wook, Shin Seung-ho, Lee Yeon, and others. Directed by Yoo So-min, it tells the story of Yeon Si-eun, a brilliant student who suffers from vicious harassment from Jeon Yeong-bin and his accomplices. The K-drama explores Yeon Si-eun’s fight against bullying, with the help of her two close friends, Oh Beom-seok and Ahn Su-ho. The series was released in November 2022 and is available to stream on iQOYI and Viki in select regions.
4- Twinkling Watermelon
The K-drama “Twinkling Watermelon,” directed by Son Jeong-hyeon and Yoo Beom-sang, stars Ryeoun, Seol In-ah, Shin Eun-soo and Choi Hyun-wook. This high school K-drama, scripted by Jin Soo-wan, focuses on Ha Eun-gyeol, a guitarist who is passionate about music. While seeking to become a musician, Ha Eun-gyeol is taken back to the past, where he discovers more about his parents’ youth, while forming a band with the younger version of his father. The series premiered on September 25, 2023 and is available to stream on Viki in some regions.
5- Reply 1988
This K-drama from the “Reply” franchise is inspired by the lives of Duk-sun, Dong-yong, Taek, Sun-woo and Jung-hwan, high school students and their families living in the same neighborhood. It explores their bond and how they navigate their respective career paths. This coming-of-age story shows how individuals from different backgrounds can get along despite the challenges life throws at them. Stars of the series include Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Ko Gyung-pyo, Lee Dong-hwi, Ryu Jun-yeol, among others. The series premiered in November 2015 and is available to stream on Tubi and Viki in some regions.
6- All of Us Are Dead
This horror series, starring Park Ji-hu, Cho Yi-hyun, Yoon Chan-young, Lomon, Lee Yoo-mi, Yoo In-soo, and Kim Byung-chul, was co-directed by Lee Jae-kyoo and Kim Nam-su. “All of Us Are Dead” focuses on combating a zombie outbreak sparked by a high school science experiment. The drama also explores themes of harassment, revenge, trust and love. Inspired by Joo Dong-jeun’s webtoon comics, this high school K-drama aired in January 2022 and is available to stream on Netflix.
7- Twenty-five Twenty-one
Starring Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Lee Joo-myoung, Bona, and Choi Hyun-wook, “Twenty-five Twenty-one” was directed by Jung Ji-hyun and written by Kwon Do-eun. The series explores Na Hee-do’s past life after her daughter discovers her old diary. Na Hee-do, a high school student forced to change schools, comes into contact with Nam Joo-hyuk, whose family is going through a financial crisis. The story depicts their love despite challenges. Airing from February 12, 2022 to April 3, 2022, this K-drama is available on Netflix.
These high school K-dramas explore various themes in our modern society and leave viewers with unforgettable lessons and moments.
Which K-drama would you add to this list?