Korean TV shows set in high school called “school Korean dramas” are very popular. High school makes a good story background. Many school K-dramas have classic themes like young romance, kids’ worries, and funny daily life. But newer ones also talk about big issues that matter to teens. Some even add fantasy parts.
The 12 shows below range from the late 2000s to today. They show how school Korean dramas have changed – from dreamy love tales to tough problems real students face. Some also put a new spin on high school stories. Though different, these dramas truthfully show the ups and downs of being a teen. Watching them lets fans look back on those key years. Whether sad or funny, these 12 shows deeply touch viewers.
12 Best School Korean Dramas to Watch
Let’s check out the top 12 Korean school dramas worth watching. I’ll give you a quick summary of what makes each series unique
12. Extraordinary You (2019)
This funny school Korean drama is about high schooler Eun Dan-oh. One day, she discovers she is just a character in a comic book! She tries to change the story. The writer has her falling for the main guy. But Dan-oh wants the other guy, Ha-roo.
There are many laughs as Dan-oh fights back against what the writer planned for her. She tries to take charge of her own story’s direction. Extraordinary You playfully make fun of romance cliches in school Korean dramas.
11. Who Are You: School 2015 (2015)
This mystery school Korean drama follows twin sisters who got split up as babies. They reunite at a fancy high school, but neither knew about the other before! Together, they dig into secrets about the rich students’ bad bullying.
There are many tense moments as the twin girls try to stop their peers from getting harmed while uncovering buried past drama. Who Are You: School 2015 keeps viewers glued to the screen through dark student scandals. Yet it finds light by showing the sisters’ loving bond against cold bullying.
10. Boys Over Flowers (2009)
This super popular school Korean drama made actor Lee Min-Ho famous fast! He plays a rich bully who picks on working girl Jan-di. But slowly, his teasing turns to liking her. Their Enemies to Lovers romantic comedy is now iconic.
Boys Over Flowers set the formula for many “pretty boy” dramas to come. Teen girls everywhere dreamed of standing up to the top hot bully guy at school after Jan-di. Both funny and sweet, this is a classic school K-drama for dreamy romance fans.
9. Sassy Go Go (2015)
Sassy Go Go follows a struggling but spirited high school dance club. They are underdogs compared to the top academic club stars. At first, the two groups clash since they are so different. But over time, dancing and shared dreams brought them together.
This upbeat school Korean drama dug into Korea’s darkly competitive academic culture. Yet it stayed fun and optimistic as the teams bonded despite their different backgrounds. Both touching and feisty, Sassy Go Go cheered for all students to find their path.
8. School 2017 (2017)
This classic school Korean drama follows the “ordinary boy falls for a cheerful girl” romance tale. Studious Tae-woon starts having feelings for bright webtoon artist Eun Ho-rae. Though it hits many melodrama beats, their little sweet moments touch hearts.
School 2017 also movingly shows teachers guiding and believing in students. The warm bonds make viewers smile through tear-jerking plot twists. It emotionally captures high school as a time when passion and dreams run deep despite hard roads.
7. Moment at Eighteen (2019)
Lots of teens feel like outsiders or face mean bullies. This school Korean drama follows a few such high schoolers. They are going through tough stuff – some don’t have enough money, others have no friends. But then they start bonding over their problems and realize they can lean on each other.
Watching Moment at Eighteen is an emotional ride as you see these teens laugh, cry, and stand up for each other. Their stories feel very real and touching. Having good friends can make all the difference in getting through that scary age between childhood and adulthood. This show captures those fragile but unbreakable bonds teens form.
6. Love Alarm (2019)
This unique school Korean drama imagines a phone app that tells you if someone nearby has a crush on you! The main girl, Kim Jo-jo, gets stuck in a love triangle between two guys.
But beyond the fun sci-fi twist, Love Alarm also makes thoughtful points. It shows how, in high school, dating can wrongly become the only thing some students care about. They just want to be popular, not find true love. The drama makes you think about what matters beyond statuses and labels at that age.
5. Master of Study (2010)
Master of Study is a fun high school Korean drama from 2010. It starts when a teacher named Kang Suk-ho arrives to teach students at a run-down high school. Many students there are in danger of dropping out. Mr. Kang makes a deal with five troubled students to help get them ready for a big exam.
Mr. Kang uses creative and sometimes silly methods to teach these struggling teens. Slowly he helps them gain confidence in their own abilities to learn. We also meet the school’s top student, Chan-doo, who becomes an unlikely tutor for the group.
There are many funny moments as Mr. Kang tries to inspire his naughty or distracted students. Over time, meaningful friendships and bonds begin to grow within the ragtag study group. Will the master teacher’s guidance allow these failing pupils to pass the important upcoming test?
4. Soundtrack #1
Soundtrack #1 is a super sweet best friends to lovers kdrama. The main characters are Han Sun-woo and Lee Eun-soo. They have been besties for 20 years but never dated. When Sun-woo and Eun-soo have to temporarily live together, they start seeing each other differently.
What allows the friendship to bloom into romance is how comfortable Sun-woo and Eun-soo already are. Having decades of trust and laughter means they can let their guard down to reveal deeper feelings. We enjoy watching as their affection shifts from platonic to a loving relationship.
Soundtrack #1 shows us how friendship can lead to an enduring romance when the time is right. Sun-woo and Eun-soo prove having a history as besties makes that transition to partners feel natural, not scary.
3. Hi! School: Love On (2014)
Get ready for a super wacky fantasy premise in the Korean high school drama Hi! School: Love On! So there’s this angel, right? One day, he unexpectedly wakes up in the body of Woo Hyun, an arrogant hockey star at a high school. Crazy!
Now, this angel has to pretend to be this teenage human boy. Hilarious fish-out-of-water hijinks ensue as he tries to act natural at school and in Woo Hyun’s life. Oh, and did we mention a love story too?
With his caring angel heart, he reaches out to a bullied classmate named Seul Bi. He helps the outsider make friends even as he secretly pines for her.
It’s a quirky body-swap tale that aims to give that warm and fuzzy feeling. A little bit of laughter, a little bit of heart. Can an angel in an ordinary boy’s body find love on Earth?
2. My ID is Gangnam Beauty (2018)
My ID is Gangnam Beauty, which tackles the complicated issue of beauty standards—specifically, Korea’s obsession with plastic surgery. The main girl, Kang Mi-rae, gets work done before starting university. She hopes a new face will stop the bullying over the looks she’s endured for years.
But things backfire when she’s judged for getting plastic surgery at all. Dang, this girl can’t catch a break! While the plot focuses on appearance, the deeper message is about self-acceptance.
We root for Mi-rae as she makes real college friends who like her for her personality. Her journey to regain confidence and realize that inner strength is what makes someone beautiful – now that tugs the heartstrings.
The story comments on Korea’s intense beauty culture. But learning to feel comfortable in your skin? That universal theme resonates worldwide.
1. Dream High (2011)
Dream High follows a group of teens at an arts high school trying to become K-pop stars. When rebel JIn-gook and six friends start at the bottom as underdogs, it looks hopeless. But – plot twist! – their tough-love music teacher is a former K-pop legend who whips them into shape.
We root for these underdogs as they fight to master singing, dancing, and rapping. Can they find fame and success? Beyond the performance drama, it’s an uplifting story about ambition, friendship, and hard work paying off. There are challenges, but there is always heartwarming teamwork. Will their musical dreams come true?
Wrapping Up
So why are Korean school dramas so hugely popular? The classic coming-of-age stories tap into experiences we share – first loves, friendships, and finding yourself. No matter where we grow up, emotions like joy, heartbreak, and not fitting in feel universal.
These Korean shows also ooze so much heart! Underdog teams sticking together gives us the feels. Creative plots blending comedy, drama, and mystery rocket our emotions across episodes.
As Korean media spreads worldwide, school dramas will keep evolving with global appeal. But that emotional core of growing up will stay timeless. After over 20 years, this genre has carved out a special worldwide fanbase that should continue for years!
