High school Kdramas have made it a point to introduce love triangles amidst all the coming-of-age mix. While some of them have been able to crossover to the feel-good side of the slice-of-life genre, others have tired out the audience with this repetitive trope. Which is why we thought it was time to come up with a list of Korean drama series that go beyond the usual love triangle mess and give us something more profound to hold on to.
Of course, these stories can’t do without romance (and neither can our hearts, whether we’d like to admit it or not), however, with this list of K-drama suggestion we’ve tried our best to switch things up. Some new age drama series that have come out in the recent years have especially initiated this switch up in the pace of storytelling centred around the high school setting.
In this list of TV shows, some narratives assume a rather darker shade and plunge into a different vision altogether instead of granting us the usual harmless butterflies in the stomach scenario. However, the remaining ones that still do offer those feelings in return make an attempt to deflect certain set ideas that have governed our understanding of high school-driven stories till now.
High School Kdramas That Somewhat Subvert Archetypical Cliches
1. 18 Again
(Streaming on: Netflix)
Audiences who’re already aware of the American movie 17 Again starring Zac Efron as the titular lead, know that the aforementioned K-drama series has been inspired by its concept. However, while the film takes up a rather tasteless journey at some junctures, the Korean TV series paves the way for a fulfilling ride that digs deep into the notion of family love and friendships. Starring Lee Do-hyun, Hwang In-youp, Kim Ha-neul, Yoon Sang-hyun, and others, this show especially becomes a great watch owing to Lee Do-hyun’s stellar performance.
2. Extraordinary You
(Streaming on: Viki, Voot, Jio Cinema)
Kim Hye-yoon, Rowoon, and Lee Jae-wook’s dream team leads the show based on the webtoon July Found by Chance. Introducing one of the most intriguing concepts of all, the series deals with a story within a story scenario as all the people concerned in the show play their roles as per the characters of a comic. However, Eun Dan-oh becomes one of the people in the lot to gain consciousness and realise that she must take charge of her life despite the comic creator pushing her to the sidelines as a sub-character.
Yes, we encounter yet another love triangle in this one, too, but this time, the woman leading the show enacts her agency to change her fate as per choice. Knowing that she’s destined for a fateful end, she takes charge of her life and subverts the narrative written out for her by someone else.
3. Extracurricular
(Streaming on: Netflix)
What happens when a model high school student makes a bad choice in life to make ends meet for his college tuition fee? As if getting good grades and excelling at school wasn’t enough, the story’s main lead digs his grave by charting out a criminal path and leading an unprecedented double life. With each of its 10 nail-biting episodes, the series sucks you right in and keeps you at the edge of your seat throughout. Since the show’s theme is more crime-driven, there’s barely any room for any proper romance to blossom.
Extracurricular depicts a darker reality of the high school setting, testifying that it’s not all sunshine and roses. It only takes one wrong choice for a series of never-ending mishaps to follow, and this show goes to great lengths to pull all of that into the picture.
4. Twenty Five Twenty One
(Streaming on: Netflix)
Even if you haven’t watched the series yet, you may already know it doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending. But that’s life, isn’t it? With numerous lessons about life interspersed in its narrative, the Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Tae-ri starrer K-drama paints a bitter-sweet picture of reality wherein no matter how profound your love for someone may be, sometimes life happens gets in the way, and your special relationships can’t stick the landing.
It’s also understandable that long-time K-drama fans may have been pulled to watch this show due to Joo-hyuk’s presence. Still, ultimately, it’s actually Tae-ri who steals the show through her character’s zeal and determination.
Also read: Where to Watch 59th Baeksang Arts Awards 2023 Award Winning Movies and Shows
5. All of Us are Dead
(Streaming on: Netflix)
Forget all the rosy high school K-dramas because this one is about surviving a zombie apocalypse. While the hostile premise may seem far-fetched, its origins are not that far from reality, considering we’ve all witnessed a global pandemic first-hand. Situations like this always allow the worst in humanity to prevail on top as one’s survival instinct kicks in. However, the same can also work the other way around with the people in question, making an example of playing to their strengths and helping each other out.
Throughout the season, you can’t help but root for these characters to pull through and make it out alive. With heart-thumping and racing action sequences as its heart’s core, the show doesn’t really plan on breaking through the usual elements of K-dramas, and yet it grants you a time well-spent and becomes the easiest show to binge-watch without a break.
6. Duty After School
(Streaming on: Viki)
Following in line with the previously mentioned series, this K-drama again bends the rainbow path constructed by the high school setting in mainstream TV shows. While most schools prepare individuals for their futures, referring to the switch up to universities, Seongjin High has other plans for its students who undergo rigorous army training to fight off extraterrestrial monsters.
If you know the Japanese anime Assassination Classroom and blend its concept with the K-drama All of Us Are Dead, you get something like Duty After School. Many viewers have expressed concern for this show owing to the rather traumatising circumstance shaping its finale. So, prepare for the worst when you’re starting to get into this show’s viewing experience.
7. Reply 1997
(Streaming on: Viki, Amazon Prime Video)
With 6 friends at the centre of this show’s story, it constantly moves back and forth to cover the ground of their lives between their high-school years and adult counterparts. The series is fuelled by the leading character’s love for the 1st generation K-pop boy group H.O.T. It piques our interest by unravelling the birth of extreme fan culture. Not only is the representation close to accurate, the refreshing take turned around the course of these shows. It may have its share of shortcomings, but its presence or mark in Korean cable T.V. history is now set in stone.
8. Our Beloved Summer
(Streaming on: Netflix)
When actors as talented as Kim Da-mi and Choi Woo-shik lead the lot, you will take note of the show in question. While this series also brings in the love triangle game, it’s hard to ignore that its premise is built around two ex-lovers who have no plans and interest in meeting each other again.
Fate has a funny way of turning things around, and so, when they cross paths again, the story pulls us in by drawing our attention to the smallest gestures that go the distance in case of love, relationships and friendships. When the chemistry between the main pair of the show is exceptional, just like the show’s soundtrack and overall plot, what more hints do you need to start watching a series?
9. Class of Lies
(Streaming on: Viki)
This K-drama doesn’t actually begin at a high school; it takes time to build out a legal case that draws attention to its subjects from Cheon Myeong High School. When Moo-hyeok, the murder defendant’s representative’s reputation, is also tainted, he detours to the same high school as the next step. He plays his part as the undercover temporary teacher while working out the strings of the case.
10. Dream High
(Streaming on: Netflix, Viki)
Starring the highest number of K-pop idols in a K-drama, with Miss A’s Bae Suzy, 2PM’s Ok Taec-yeon, T-ara’s Ham Eun-jung, and IU leading the cast. The high school-based series is a teen musical that portrays how the lives of certain polar opposites individuals fit together once they join an illustrious performing arts school to fulfil their aspiration of becoming idol artists. The exceptional cast goes to great lengths to create an inspiring story driven by its performative aspect considering its premise.
It’s also essential to note how all the cast members, who are all mega stars in the industry now, were mere rookies back then. Their synergetic contribution to the show has made it one of the most memorable Korean series that leaves you equally satisfied with its trajectory as it does with the lesson it imparts on the way.
11. Sky Castle
(Streaming on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Viki, MX player)
There will never be a K-drama like Sky Castle again. Remembered as one of the best out of the bests to this date, this series came out in 2018 and shook the audiences watching it. The high school setting plays a huge role in driving its story, especially since the show centres around homemakers living in the exclusive urbane Sky Castle community who are ready to resort to any means to get their children to Seoul National University.
The ruthless satire comments on the materialistic lives of the families living in this upper-class community and follows great storytelling tactics while introducing us to layered characters. With almost negligible romantic strands interwoven in the story, nearly every episode ends on a cliffhanger that keeps you coming back for more.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
(Streaming on: Netflix)
This one’s not set in a high school but a university; however, being one of the most heartening and stereotype-deflecting additions to the K-drama list, we couldn’t not add it here.
The Uncanny Counter
(Streaming on: Netflix)
The Uncanny Counter has more to do with its supernatural premise than dealing with the high school scenario, which is why it’s been added as a special mention.
Which of these titles spun you on your feet, or really had you going through an emotional crisis (all in good faith)? Let us know more such K-drama titles that you think have a unique story to tell as compared to the general lot?