High school K-dramas are a favorite among fans – and with good reason.
These shows offer a glimpse into the lives of teenagers on the cusp of adulthood as they navigate high school, first loves, friendships, and other teenage experiences.
1. Love Revolution (2020)
Starring: Park Ji Hoon as Gong Joo Young, Lee Roo Bi as Wang Ja Rim, and Kim Young Hoon as Lee Kang Woo.
Plot: Prepare to be swept off your feet by this captivating high-school Kdrama mini-series! Love Revolution kicks off when the adorable and endearing Gong Joo Young, a high school student, falls head over heels in love with the stunning yet standoffish Wang Ja-rim.
Undeterred by her frosty demeanor, Joo Young embarks on a mission to win her heart, and what follows is a journey filled with love, friendship, dreams, and unforgettable high school adventures.
Trust me; you won’t want to miss out on this enthralling high school Kdrama that will leave you hooked from start to finish!
2. Best Mistake (2019)
Starring: Kang Yul as Ji Hyun Ho, Lee Eun Jae as Kim Yeon Doo, and Yoon Jun Won as Seo Joo Ho.
Plot: Yeon Do, a high-schooler desperate to stop a potential stalker’s advances, makes a bold move by posting a random guy’s photo on social media and claiming he’s her boyfriend.
The only problem is she doesn’t realize that the picture she chooses is of none other than Ji Hyun Ho, the notorious bad boy of the school.
As she tries to make amends for her mistake, Yeon Do finds herself spending more time with Ji Hyun Ho and discovers that he is not the person she had always thought he was.
Through their unlikely friendship, she learns that people are more complex than they appear on the surface. And, just as the title of the drama suggests, what started as a simple error on her part turns into the best mistake she’s ever made.
3. Hope or Dope (2022)
Starring: Won Ji-An as Kyung Da Jung, Yoon Chan Young as Gong Yoon Tak, and Yoon Hyun Soo as Gong Yoon Jae.
Plot: Hope or Dope follows the story of Da Jung, a high-schooler forced by her mother to transport narcotics for drug gangs.
When a deal goes wrong, she finds herself seeking refuge in a remote village, where she stumbles upon a marijuana field that could make her a fortune on the black market. As Da Jung is tempted by the prospect of easy money, the village is drawn into a dangerous world of police investigations and various underworld characters.
In this fast-paced and gripping Kdrama, you’ll be on the edge of your seat as you watch the tension mount and the stakes increase with each passing moment.
With a storyline that is both thrilling and sensitive, Hope or Dope is a must-watch for anyone who loves high-stakes dramas with heart.
4. Delightful Girl Choon Hyang (2005)
Starring: Han Chae Young as Sung Choon Hyang, Jae Hee as Lee Mong Ryong, and Uhm Tae Woong as Byun Hak Do.
Plot: Delightful Girl Choon Hyang follows the growth of the Hong sisters as they navigate the ups and downs of high school life. Choon Hyang, the youngest of the Hong sisters, helps her first love, Lee Mong Ryong, adjust to transferring schools and helps him in his plans to enter a prestigious university.
However, their love story takes a turn when Mong Ryong’s first love reappears, and he begins to waver in his affection for Choon Hyang.
Despite facing challenges and other men vying for her heart, Choon Hyang stays steadfast in her love, which brings her more than a couple of tears multiple times.
Han Chae Young delivers a dazzling performance as our delightful girl, bringing her trademark bubbly personality to life.
Starring: Shin Hyun Seung as Lee Seung Min, Lee Si Woo as Oh Ji Na, and Choi Yu Ju as Seong Han Na.
Plot: If you’re a fan of heartwarming high-school romances, then you won’t want to miss this one! In Be My Boyfriend, Seung Min, the male protagonist, has been harboring a massive crush on Ji Na for what feels like forever and is content to keep his feelings to himself.
But, everything changes when Oh Jina proposes a plan to start a fake relationship, and the duo sets about pulling off an utterly swoon-worthy performance.
As the story unfolds, you’ll find yourself swept away by the intricate and complicated fake relationship between Seung Min and Ji Na.
But more than that, you’ll fall in love with this adorable and endearing couple as they navigate the ups and downs of high school life together.
With plenty of heartwarming moments and charming scenes that will make you smile, this high-school romance is sure to become one of your favorites.
6. Just Dance (2018)
Starring: Park Se Wan as Kim Shi Eun, Jang Dong Yoon as Kwon Seung Chan, and Lee Joo Young as Park Hye Jin.
Plot: Just Dance takes inspiration from a documentary of the same name and follows the journey of six best friends at Geoje Girls’ Vocational High School as they dream of winning a dance sports competition.
Despite the sacrifices they make – including sacrificing their grades – to become better dancers, the group finds solace and joy in their shared passion.
With deeply emotional performances and characters that feel completely real, Just Dance explores the complexities of life and the power of friendship in the most heart-warming way possible.
Through the ups and downs of their journey, the characters learn that there is always a silver lining to be found in even the darkest of situations.
Whether you’re a fan of dance, coming-of-age stories, or simply stories that celebrate the power of human connection, Just Dance is a must-watch Korean drama that will leave you feeling inspired and moved.
7. How to Buy a Friend (2020)
Starring: Shin Seung Ho as Heo Don Hyuk, Lee Shin Young as Park Chan Hong, and Kim So Hye as Uhm Se Yoon.
Plot: Don Hyuk’s life is turned upside down when his girlfriend takes her own life, and he is left in a state of shock and grief.
Fueled by anger and desperation, he becomes obsessed with discovering the truth behind her death, leading him on a dangerous journey of discovery.
As fate would have it, Don Hyuk’s path crosses with that of Chan Hong, a mysterious classmate with a talent for poetry. When Don Hyuk stumbles upon one of Chan Hong’s poems that contains a clue about his girlfriend’s death, he enlists Chan Hong’s help in uncovering the truth.
But their investigation takes a dangerous turn as they uncover a web of secrets and lies that threaten to destroy them both. As Don Hyuk becomes Chan Hong’s bodyguard, they form an unlikely bond that will be tested in the face of adversity.
This is one high school Korean drama that balances the whodunnit perfectly with the melodramatic beats, and I’m sure you’re going to enjoy it.
8. User Not Found (2021)
Starring: Bae Jin Young as Shin Yi Joon, Shin So Hyun as Yoo Min Jae, and Han Ye Ji as Yoo Min Jae.
Plot: Two high school girls named Yoo Min Jae enroll in a new school and decide to switch identities to start fresh. Han Ye Ji’s character, tired of the constant attention that comes with being a famous teenager, embraces the chance to live a normal life as an ordinary person.
Meanwhile, Shin So Hyun’s Yoo Min Jae longs to join the popular crowd and, after getting mistaken for her namesake on her first day at her new school, convinces the latter to continue the charade.
If you like high-school Kdramas with many moments of introspection, which deal with many sensitive topics about true friendship, then User Not Found is the drama for you.
9. The World of My 17 (2020)
Starring: Arin as Oh Na Ri, Hwang Bo Reum Byeol as Lim Yu Na, and Kim Do Ah as Lim Seon Ji.
Plot:The World of My 17 offers a candid look into the daily lives of a group of 17-year-olds as they navigate the ups and downs of adolescence.
This captivating high-school drama captures the essence of growing up, from grappling with weight issues to navigating complex relationships and other challenges that come with the journey of self-discovery.
10. True Beauty (2020)
Starring: Moon Ga Young as Lim Joo Gyung, Cha Eun Woo as Lee Su Ho, and Hwang In Youp as Han Seo Jun.
Plot: I’m tempted to just say, “watch episodes 5 and 16,” but I’ll refrain. Let me tell you, though, that True Beauty has a simply stunning OST, and an equally beautiful cast.
The story follows Lim Joo Kyung, a girl who’s bullied because of her acne in her formal, and her transformation into a popular figure after mastering the art of makeup.
She decides never to show her bare face to anyone until she’s caught off guard by Lee Su Ho, a handsome but aloof classmate in her new school. Their relationship blossoms as they learn more about each other.
This high school Kdrama not only presents a sweet romance, but also explores important societal issues and the struggles that teens face.
11. Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)
Starring: Kim Tae Ri as Na Hee Do, Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi Jin, and Bona as Go Yu Rim.
Plot: Get your tissues ready because Twenty Five Twenty One will definitely have you in your feelings.
Twenty-Five Twenty-One is a heart-wrenching K-drama that follows the story of Na Hee Do, a teenage fencer who pursues her dreams despite the many obstacles in her path, including the South Korean financial crisis and the disbandment of her school’s fencing team.
Along the way, she meets Baek Yi Jin, a hardworking young man who is forced to rebuild his life after his family’s business goes bankrupt due to the crisis.
Despite their love for each other, the drama teaches us that love alone cannot conquer all of life’s challenges, and that’s okay!
12. Extraordinary You (2019)
Starring: Kim Hye Yoon as Eun Dan Oh, Rowoon as Number 13″ / Ha Ru, and Lee Jae Wook as Baek Kyung.
Plot: Eun Dan Oh, the female lead in this genre-bending drama, is a charming young woman from a wealthy family who suffers from a lifelong heart condition.
Dan Oh realizes that she is a supporting character in a Korean webtoon, and her every move is determined by the author’s storyline, which explains the many gaps in her memories.
Determined not to accept her fate and bent on finding her one true love, she decides to change the pre-determined course of her life by using the flashes of storyboard she can see to manipulate several events.
Needless to say, Extraordinary You is spectacular on every front – casting, storyline, sequence, etc. – and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. This is one high-school Kdrama that you definitely do not want to miss.
13. Blue Birthday (2021)
Starring: Yeri as Oh Ha Rin, Yang Hong Seok as Ji Seo Joon, and Lee Sang Jun as Cha Eun Sung.
Plot: Ten years after the tragic death of her first love, Ji Seo Jun, on her birthday, Oh Ha Rin is still haunted by the memories of that fateful day.
However, everything changes when she discovers Seo Jun’s camera which allows her to travel back in time to the eight moments captured in the photos.
Ha Rin decides to use this chance to prevent Seo Jun’s death and change the course of their tragic love story. This drama made me shed a tear or two (more like buckets), and I recommend you have your tissues nearby.
If you want a high-school Kdrama that blends romance, melodrama, and the attendant heartache of time travel, then you’re going to love this.
14. To The Beautiful You (2012)
Starring: Sulli as Goo Jae Hee, Choi Min Ho as Kang Tae Joon, and Lee Hyun Woo as Cha Eun Gyeol.
Plot:To The Beautiful You is one Kdrama that garnered millions of viewers when it aired and still manages to have devout fans.
In this drama, Kang Tae Joon, a high jump gold medalist, retires after an injury and becomes emotionally closed off. Jae Hee, a huge fan of Tae Joon, decides to disguise herself as her brother to attend Tae Joon’s high school in order to help him recover and restart his high jump career.
Through her efforts, Tae Joon opens up, while Eun Gyul – a member of their friend group – grapples with his feelings for Jae Hee, who he believes to be a boy.
If you’re in the mood for some nostalgic content, then To The Beautiful You will be a perfect watch. This Kdrama features the most popular tropes of the early 2010s (refer to Boys Before Flowers, You Are Beautiful, and Cool Guys; Hot Ramen Shop) and an endearing cast that will leave you thinking for days.
15. Sassy Go Go (2015)
Starring: Jung Eun Ji as Kang Yeon Doo, Lee Won Keun as Kim Yeol, and Chae Soo Bin as Kwon Soo Ah.
Plot: After a set of peculiar circumstances, the Real King street-dance club, an unpopular group in a high school of over-achievers, and the highly successful students of an elite club of top students are forced to merge into a cheerleading club for a competition.
Yeon Doo and Kim Yeol’s teams – the dance and top students’ clubs, respectively – butt heads repeatedly, and their rivalry reaches a boiling point when an incriminating photo between the two leaders could mean the end of Real King.
Set in a competitive school that prioritizes achievement and scores, this high school Kdrama sheds light on the absurdities and hypocrisies of the education system while showcasing the students’ growth stories as they strive to move forward, one step at a time.
16. All of Us Are Dead (2022)
Starring: Park Ji Hoo as Nam On Jo, Yoon Chan Young as Lee Cheong San, and Jo Yi Hyun as Choi Nam Ra.
Plot: Following a botched science experiment, a high school is hit by a deadly zombie virus that spreads like wildfire. Trapped inside the school, students are forced to fight for survival against the infected while trying to find a way to escape.
With limited resources and no communication with the outside world due to government intervention, they must use anything they can find to defend themselves on this deadly battlefield or risk joining the ranks of the bloodthirsty undead.
All of Us Are dead is a fast-paced high school Kdrama with high stakes and a sublime plot. If you’re in the mood for a Kdrama that’s sure to leave you hanging on the edge of your seat, then All of Us are dead is just the show for you.
17. Where Your Eyes Linger (2020)
Starring: Han Gi Chan as Han Tae Joo and Jang Eui Soo As Kang Gook.
Plot: Han Tae Joo is an 18-year-old high school student and the successor to TB Group. He has a wealthy family, natural good looks and popularity, and, as expected, has (very) few worries.
Kang Gook, his thoughtful childhood friend, is physically strong and trained in different martial arts disciplines. For the somewhat bashful Kang Gook, Tae Joo is his only friend, and as such, he is only comfortable with him.
The status quo between them both starts shifting when a new female student at their high school shows interest in Kang Gook, and Tae Joo is left to confront his long- suppressed feelings about his best friend.
BL Kdramas always deliver on the slow-burn, so rest assured the pining in this high school Kdrama is top-tier. I absolutely love romantic relationships that evolve from deep-set friendships, so I really enjoyed this one.
18. Orange Marmalade (2015)
Starring: Kim Seol Hyun as Baek Ma Ri, Yeo Jin Goo as Jung Jae Min, and Lee Jong Hyun as Han Shi Hoo.
Plot:Orange Marmalade is set in a world where humans and evolved vampires who no longer need to feed on human blood live together.
The vampires are still discriminated against and they fear society, and because of this, many are forced to hide their identity and live as ordinary people.
Baek Ma Ri, the female lead, is a vampire in hiding, and her family is constantly forced to relocate due to her true identity.
When she enrolls in a new high school, she hopes to live a peaceful life, but everything changes when she falls in love with Jung Jae Min, a popular human boy, which puts her identity at risk.
Starring: Ong Seong Wu as Choi Jun Woo, Kim Hyang Gi as Yu Soo Bin, and Shin Seung Ho as Ma Hwi Young.
Plot: Choi Joon-Woo, an 18-year-old boy, is accustomed to loneliness due to his difficulty in expressing emotions, but he has a softer side that’s hidden.
He enrolls in a new school and encounters Yoo Soo-Bin, a brilliant student whose life is controlled by her mother.
Soo-Bin dreams of gaining independence after her encounter with Joon-Woo changes her perspective on life.
On the face of it, Ma Whi-Young, the second male lead, appears to be a perfect and gentle student, but he has a complex and is actually a timid boy. When Joon-Woo transfers to his school, Whi-Young’s life also starts to transform.
Moment at Eighteen is beautiful in every way that counts, and if you want a high school Kdrama that tackles sensitive issues that cut across the teen demographic, you’re going to absolutely love this.
20. A Love So Beautiful (2020)
Starring: Kim Yo Han as Cha Heon, So Ju Yeon as Shin Sol Yi, and Yeo Hoe Hyun as Woo Dae Sung.
Plot: Cha Heon is a student at Chun Ji High School who is admired for his handsome looks and intelligence. Although he seems standoffish, he has a kind heart and struggles to convey his emotions.
Shin Sol Yi is a cheerful and affectionate 17-year-old with a crush on Cha Heon and isn’t afraid to express her love for him. Woo Dae Sung, the second male lead, is a skilled swimmer who transfers to Chun Ji High School and starts developing feelings for Shin Sol Yi. He keeps his affection a secret and supports her from a distance.
From the very catchy opening theme song (trust me, you’ll be humming by the fifth episode) to the fantastic characters that carried the story from beginning to finish, you’re going to absolutely love this high school Kdrama!
21. High School King of Savvy (2014)
Starring: Seo In Guk as Lee Min Suk / Lee Hyun, Lee Ha Na as Jung Soo Young, and Lee Soo Hyuk as Yoo Jin Woo.
Plot:High School King of Savvy follows Lee Min Seok, a high school hockey player who impersonates his older brother at his new job.
As he balances these two very different identities, he navigates a love triangle with Jung Yoo Ah and her sister, Jung Soo Young, while also clashing with the company director.
I think you can already tell from the unique premise that this Kdrama is amazing, and you’ll be right. If you loved Seo In Guk in Doom At Your Service, then you’re going to love this one.
22. Cherry Blossoms After Winter (2022)
Starring: Ok Jin Uk as Seo Hae Bom and Kang Hui as Jo Tae Sung.
Plot: Seo Hae Bom and Jo Tae Song were best friends growing up, but as they got older, they went their separate ways.
Then, everything changes when they end up in the same high school class and start to feel something more than friendship.
Hae Bom, an orphan, lives with his single mother and Tae Song, so they’re practically family, and this living arrangement adds some complication to their budding relationship in this lovely BL drama.
23. A-Teen (2018)
Starring: Shin Ye Eun as Do Ha Na, Lee Na Eun as Kim Ha Na, and Kim Soo Hyun as Yeo Bo Ram.
Plot: Six Seoyeon High School students – Ha Na, Ha Na, Bo Ram, Min, Si Woo, and Gi Hyun – are on the cusp of adulthood, so they must navigate the challenges of high school and prepare for what lies ahead.
Through ups and downs, first loves, and heartbreaks, each student has a unique story to tell as they discover what it means to be eighteen.
This high school Kdrama is an unflinching and honest portrayal of growing pains, and I believe every watcher would appreciate it.
24. The Temperature of Language: Our Nineteen (2020)
Starring: Jin Ji Hee as Woo Jin Ah, Kang Min Ah as Han Yu Ri, and Nam Yoon Su as Lee Chan Sol.
Plot: Woo Jin Ah is a high school senior who is tired of always trying to fit in. To express herself freely, she starts a secret social media account that quickly gains popularity among her classmates.
Meanwhile, her childhood friend Chan Sol and the perfect student Han Yu Ri are also navigating their final stages of high school, each with their own hidden stories and romantic interests.
As the pressure of their final examination looms, their lives will become intertwined in unexpected ways.
The drama was one of my favorite watches last year, and I believe you’ll love it too. If you want a drama about an unusual group forged together by peculiar circumstances, then this is the drama for you.
High school dramas are the perfect escape from reality, and these are some of the best ones out there.
Let me know which ones you want to watch and check out the related posts for even more recommendations!
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