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The school year is back upon most of us, so I was inspired to create a list of some of my favorite school based teen Kdramas. Hopefully they’ll get you in the mood for school, and perhaps help relax your mind in between tedious school work.
The Reply Series (1997 / 1994 / 1988)
Though my personal favorite is Reply 1997, you won’t be disappointed no matter which Reply drama you end up watching. The common mystery in this series is finding out who ends up becoming the main heroine’s husband. To do so, we watch our group of teenagers adventure through school life, cope with family issues, learn the meaning of friendship, and navigate their changing feelings. The dramas are all set in the 80s and 90s, adding an interesting layer of cultural twist in addition to the main theme around family, friendship, and personal growth.
Page Turner
Page Turner is about a gifted piano student who in an accident, loses her eyesight. She starts to live a new life, while working through a rivalry and friendship. This short drama is only three episodes long, but it says all it needs to within that and doesn’t drag out scenes or conflicts. It’s effective in accomplishing its purpose, as well as showing students how to learn about themselves and grow as people.
Angry Mom
On the more melodramatic side of this list, we have Angry Mom. It’s about a mom who disguises herself at her daughter’s high school to unravel why exactly her daughter has emotionally shut down. While the drama tackles some serious issues of corruption and bullying within the school settings, it’s balanced by appropriate, lighthearted comedic moments. Angry Mom really achieves the status of a well rounded drama.
Shut Up Flower Boy Band
Who doesn’t love rooting for a group of underdogs? After a devastating experience, and moving schools, a group of students that formed their own band struggles to chase their dreams of pursuing music. This drama will have you laughing and crying as you watch this group of lovable rag tag musicians overcome loss. While tackling issues of friendship and love, the topics of teamwork and perseverance are overarching lessons here.
Monstar
Monstar follows the lives of an idol member going back to school and an oddball of a girl. Their unlikely friendship lead them to discover that they have one thing in common — music. They team up with other kids who also have a passion for music and work through individual issues together. This drama was a quiet yet thoughtful piece, with a group of memorable characters that you can’t help but love.
Cheese in the Trap
Cheese in the Trap is about the school life and love lines among college students. The heroine struggle with her school work and peers, which is something a lot of kids her age can relate to. On top of that, she has trouble maintaining a healthy relationship with her boyfriend and causes a lot of misunderstandings. This drama painted a realistic picture of young adults and their increasingly complicated lives. Despite its mediocre ending, the journey and introspection were worth noting.
Twenty Again
Twenty Again an unconventional school drama where the student isn’t your typical twenty year olds. Instead, its main character is a housewife who’s going back to college to pursue her long-lost dreams that she gave up to become a wife and mother. The primary focus is her challenge in finding acceptance with her family, her classmates, and her old friend who’s now her professor. The drama is a pleasure to watch with well-thought out writing, great mix of emotional and comedic scenes, and most importantly, a strong heroine.
White Christmas
Another personal favorite of mine, White Christmas takes an unexpected darker approach to what happens when a group of students are trapped in their school during Christmas break. Its tight pacing, smart writing, and intriguing storyline kept me hooked. This thrilling drama also has a lot of symbolism, unlike most other school Kdramas. Each character’s motivations vary but are compelling, making them unique and deep, rather than one dimensional.
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