Best Korean School Dramas, Ranked

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Korean dramas are popular around the world, known for their compelling stories and talented actors. Among these, school-based dramas have become especially beloved. They often explore the intense pressures faced by South Korean teenagers, including bullying, the stress of getting good grades, and feelings of loneliness.

These dramas are popular for a good reason: they effectively bring important school issues to light and show their consequences. While these problems aren’t exclusive to Korea, and the shows don’t always perfectly reflect Korean classrooms, they offer a valuable perspective for understanding these challenges.

Looking for great school-based TV shows? Here’s a ranked list, from most to least popular according to what fans think and how much of a splash they’ve made.

‘School 2017’ (2017)


KBS2

The drama School 2017 centers around an eighteen-year-old girl named Kim Se-jeong who dreams of becoming a webtoon artist. Her school is disrupted by a troublemaker known only as Student X, and Se-jeong finds herself wrongly accused. The story unfolds when the real Student X unexpectedly befriends her, launching a series of events that threaten her aspirations.

This series is expected to be a major turning point in Kim Se-jeong’s career, largely due to its captivating mystery surrounding the ‘student X’ storyline. Although not adapted from a webtoon, the drama features a character who dreams of becoming a webtoon artist, which will likely appeal to many viewers. Its generally cheerful and relaxed style also makes it a perfect, easy-to-enjoy watch.

‘One: High School Heroes’ (2025)


Wavve

Lee Jung-ha plays Kim Ui-gyeom, a seemingly perfect student who’s actually pushed hard by his demanding father to prioritize academics. Frustrated and angry, Kim finally gets into a fight, which gets him noticed by Kang Yoon-ki, played by Kim Do-wan. Seeing Kim’s potential as a fighter, Yoon-ki proposes a deal: they team up to stand against bullies and become known as the “High School Heroes.”

Unlike many other K-dramas, One: High School Heroes stands out with its focus on the strong bond between male friends and a plot packed with action. While the story is exciting and dramatic, it also explores themes that K-drama fans enjoy, like social dynamics and the challenges of school life. If you’re looking for something a little different from the typical romance, this drama might be perfect.

‘At a Distance, Spring is Green’ (2021)


KBS2

Korean drama At a Distance, Spring is Green perfectly captures the feel of a college story. The main character, Yeo Jun, played by Park Ji-hoon, is a freshman from a privileged background who seems to have everything, but is secretly struggling. He forms a close bond with a classmate from a very different background, and they’re soon joined by another student, So-bin, creating a tight-knit group.

While it might not be the most popular K-drama, “At a Distance, Spring is Green” stands out for its sensitive portrayal of student mental health. Park Ji-hoon delivers a compelling performance as the complex main character. Plus, if you’re looking for a show that explores more than just romantic relationships, this one offers a thoughtful look at the complexities of friendship.

‘Extraordinary You’ (2019)


MBC TV

The 2019 drama Extraordinary You features Rowoon, Kim Hye-yoon, and Lee Jae-wook. Like many popular shows, it was adapted from a webtoon. The story centers on Dan-oh, a high school student who discovers a shocking truth: she’s living inside a comic book. Even worse, she’s just a minor character destined to die quickly. Determined to rewrite her fate, Dan-oh forms a friendship with a mysterious, unnamed student who joins her quest. However, defying the established rules comes with risks.

Extraordinary You offers a refreshing take on the typical school drama. It successfully mixes humor, romance, and more serious moments, creating a complete viewing experience. The connection between the lead actors, Kim Hye-yoon and Ro Woon, is particularly charming, and the show’s visuals are beautifully styled after webcomics.

‘School 2021’ (2021)


KBS2

School 2021 is the latest installment in the long-running School drama series. Set in a competitive South Korean high school, the show follows students struggling to balance their parents’ expectations with their own dreams. The main characters feel pressured to follow a predetermined path, so they decide to forge their own futures. They find strength and support in their friendships, helping them navigate life’s challenges together.

School 2021 is a thoughtful addition to the School series, tackling difficult topics like mental health, the stress of school, family pressures, and social dynamics. Despite dealing with these serious issues, the show stays true to the series’ successful formula, offering a balance of heartwarming moments and lighthearted humor.

‘At Eighteen’ (2019)


JTBC

The drama At Eighteen features Ong Seung-woo, Shin Seung-ho, and Kim Hyang-gi. It centers around Choi Jun-woo, a high school student who transfers to a new school after being falsely accused of wrongdoing. He takes a job at a local convenience store and quickly becomes entangled in the complicated life of Hwi-young, a privileged classmate who sets him up to take the blame for a stolen watch. As Jun-woo deals with Hwi-young’s hostility, he also experiences his first romantic feelings.

Kim Hyang-gi and Nam Joo-hyuk are a fantastic on-screen couple, especially in K-dramas set in high school. They bring real emotion and believable chemistry to their characters. The drama beautifully captures the ups and downs of being a teenager, focusing on themes of self-doubt and the importance of friendship. It’s a realistic coming-of-age story that avoids over-the-top drama, showing both the joys and struggles of growing up.

‘Extracurricular’ (2020)


Netflix

Netflix’s series Extracurricular is a high school drama with a surprising secret: the main character deliberately gets involved in criminal activity. Despite being a successful student, he secretly works for an illegal sex work operation. But when a classmate starts to investigate his life outside of school, his carefully constructed double life is threatened.

It’s unusual for a school drama to tackle serious issues like sex trafficking and fraud, but the series Extracurricular handles these topics with surprising nuance. Instead of glorifying crime, it delves into the moral dilemmas and repercussions of these actions. The show also explores relevant themes like social inequality and the stress of school, which will appeal to fans of typical K-dramas.

‘To the Beautiful You’ (2012)​​​​​​


SBS TV

Okay, so I just finished watching To the Beautiful You, and it’s a really cute, if slightly silly, story. It’s based on a Japanese manga, and follows Goo Jae-hee, a Korean-American student who becomes totally obsessed with high jumper Kang Tae-joon after seeing him compete on TV. When she finds out he’s injured, she makes this incredibly bold decision to transfer to his all-boys school… disguised as a boy! Naturally, things get pretty chaotic and funny as she tries to keep her secret while also, you guessed it, falling for him. It’s a classic setup, and while it’s definitely a bit over-the-top, it’s a fun and lighthearted watch.

The story of To the Beautiful You requires some suspension of disbelief, but it’s still fondly remembered for being cheerful and heartwarming. The series benefited from its cast, which included K-pop stars like Sulli (from f(x)) and Minho (from SHINee). While it uses familiar tropes, the show has a lasting appeal that has cemented its place as a classic in its genre.

‘Who Are You: School 2015’ (2015)


KBS2

In the drama Who Are You: School 2015, Kim So-hyun plays twins who were separated at birth. One sister lives a privileged life and is accustomed to having everything she wants, while the other struggles with poverty and bullying. The wealthy twin is aware of her sister, but the feeling isn’t mutual – at first. As the story progresses, their paths begin to cross.

If you’re looking to watch one season of the School series, Who Are You: School 2015 is the best choice. Kim So-hyun gives a fantastic performance, skillfully portraying two distinct characters. While the show follows the familiar School formula, the season’s unique story makes it particularly captivating.

‘True Beauty’ (2020)


tvN

True Beauty is a series inspired by a popular Korean webtoon. It centers on Lim Ju-kyung, a high schooler who uses makeup to overcome her insecurities about her looks. After transforming her appearance, she gains popularity and attempts to connect with the aloof Lee Su-ho, leading to a romantic rivalry with another student, Seo-jun.

The drama True Beauty explores themes many people relate to, like society’s expectations around beauty and how that affects self-esteem – especially for young adults. This focus on self-acceptance makes the love story even more impactful, as the main character, Lim Ju-kyung, needs to learn to love herself before finding love with someone else. Luckily, it’s not all serious; True Beauty also includes plenty of humor and exciting moments to keep it entertaining.

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2026-03-08 19:20