K-Drama School Love: The Throwbacks
Young love is sweet and nothing spells a classic K-Drama like one set in a high school or college scene. The overwhelming passions and angsts of teenagers spells more drama than the stereotypical K-Drama mothers-in-law, and oftentimes the viewers can relate to the characters more than even the most heart-touching sob stories. Although we all hated our time in high school, there’s nothing like a school-based K-Drama that makes our hearts beat a little faster. Come back in time with us to experience the best of the classic school-centric K-Dramas!
Heartstrings
Photo: MBC
Set in an arts-focused university, Heartstrings follows the story of Park Shinhye and Jung Yonghwa. Being the second time they worked together (since You’re Beautiful), this time they serve as the leads with Park Shinhye as a gayageum player (and aspiring singer) while Jung Yonghwa plays a devilishly handsome lead singer in a band. As both characters are extremely strong-minded, it melts your heart seeing them slowly fall in love with each other’s quirks and charms. A drama that will definitely pull at your heartstrings with the angst towards the end, it’ll also heal the pain with the sweet OSTs sung by CNBLUE as well as the main characters.
Dream High
Photo: KBS
Dream High is a complicated piece in which six talented young adults are thrown together, creating an intricate web of love and hate. Starring many idol singers from JYP Entertainment such as Bae Suzy formerly of miss A as well as Ok Taecyeon and Jang Wooyoung of 2PM, it gained much popularity during its time on air. The cast also includes the beautiful soloist IU as well as the charming actor Kim Soohyun. This drama created a successful shift in the careers of these young (at the time) actors, leading the members to form special bonds that would be seen all throughout social media as well as in future works. If you enjoyed this work, be sure to watch the second season with a new batch of characters!
Goong (Princess Hours)
Photo: MBC
If you’re still full of feels from the recent Royal Wedding, definitely take up Goong in order to hold onto those sweet feels. The story takes place in a monarchial Korea in which the royal family rules supreme. Due to their grandfathers’ old promise, the protagonists find themselves betrothed, with a naive high school girl matched with an emotionally challenged young prince. Sounds familiar? This drama was actually based off of a Korean manhwa and as cliches go, this one has them all! This drama highlights the worst parts of living the royal life, with main character Chaekyeong having to readjust her entire way of life around the royal schedule. Be sure to watch out for the unique Korean customs and ponder through the drama of the political climate. This is definitely a drama that you do not want to miss!
School Series
Photo: KBS
No list is complete without the School series, whether it be the classics of School 2013 or the turbulence of Who Are You: School 2015. The series generally known for covering sensitive topics such as bullying and school violence is also known for launching the careers of novice actors and actresses, with the likes of Kim Woobin, Lee Jongsuk, Nam Joohyuk, Kim Sohyun, and Yook Sungjae rising to fame upon the conclusion of the shows. Each season of the show follows a set of students as they go through their high school years, and considering the amount of drama that happens in normal life, it’s no surprise that the School series is chock full of it. This series in particular usually has a touch of mystery associated with it, so be sure to check out these dramas full of youthful passions.