There are many genres of Korean Dramas. It can be difficult to create a watchlist and it is much easier to look at online reviews before making your decision. You might be a beginner in Korean drama and want to find the best dramas for you. If you love stories about youth with romance, comedy, or even horror, our Korean Drama Recommendations might help you. Here are some of our High School Korean Drama recommendations that might help you to get started.
- “To the Beautiful You” (2012)
Goo Jae Hee (a Korean girl living in America) is the series’ main character. One day, she is captivated by Kang Tae Joon’s high jump competition when she saw it on television. She becomes a fan of the young athlete and eventually moves to Korea to attend the same school Tae Joon attended. However, there’s one catch. Tae Joon attends an all-boys high school. Jae Hee pretends that she is a boy to get in. It is based on the Japanese anime, Hana Kimi. The series centers around Mizuki Ashiya a Japanese girl who resides in the United States. One day, she is captivated by Izumi, a high jump competitor. She becomes a fan of Sano and eventually moves to Japan to attend the same school. However, there is one catch. Sano attends Osaka Gakuen High School, an all-boys school. Mizuki must pretend that she is a boy to gain admission.
- “School 2013” (2013)
Seungri High School ranks among the worst of all 178 Seoul high schools based on academic scores. Seungri High school is currently busy preparing presentations and other activities for its students. Seungri High’s Class 2 is the lowest grade at Seungri High. Nam-Soon (Lee JongSuk), has been elected as the class president for grade 2. This is thanks to Jung-Ho, Kwak JungWook, who is also a member of the school gang. Se-Chan (Daniel Choi), a top Korean language teacher, is based at a well-known institute in Gangnam. Se-Chan was hired by Seungri High School to improve student scores. Nam-Soon feels embarrassed when SeChan makes an appearance at the school’s opening presentation.
- “Hi! School: Love on” (2014)
Lee Seul Bi is sent to Earth as an angel to look after Shin Woo Hyun. He lives with his grandmother and is still haunted by the emotional traumas he suffered from being abandoned by his parents. Despite his cold demeanor, Woo Hyun is very popular at school due to his beautiful singing voice and great looks. Hwang Sung Yeol discovers a hidden secret and begins to have a feeling for Seul Bi. Seul Bi pretends to be a friend even at school. Seul bi must survive her first love and other difficulties of being a teenager while also doing her job well to protect Woo Hyun.
- “Who are you: School 2015” (2015)
Go Eunyul is a School girl who goes on a school trip from Seoul to Teongyeong. Lee Eun Bi meets her twin sister Lee Eun Bi while she is in Teongyeong. Lee Eun Bi is facing a difficult time in her life and is contemplating suicide. Lee Eun Bi is replacing Go Eun Biul after her disappearance. Now, she must live like her and lie about everything. Sekang High School’s Gangnam District school is the most prestigious, while Go Eun Byeol the most sought-after girl in the district is Sekang High School. Lee Eun Bi (her identical twin) is currently living in an abandoned school and being bullied. Eun Bi mysteriously vanishes after a while. Eun Bi soon loses her memory and is mistakenly referred to as Eun Beol. Eun Bo then lives her life as Eun Beol.
- “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo” (2016)
A story of college athletes coming of age, who fight for their dreams, experience and find love along the way, and learn every step of that journey. A touching story about friendship, love, and youth. The drama follows the struggles of students at a college for sports, as they try to achieve their goals and find success while maintaining friendship and love. Together, the main characters experience a rollercoaster ride of emotions with their friends. This drama follows the students through their struggles and joys. It reminds viewers to support and care for those around them and to treat them as you would want to be treated.
- “School 2017” (2017)
Ra Eun Ho knows too well that her high school doesn’t accept students like herself who lack connections, wealth, or grades. Despite her low school ranking she dreams of being a webtoon artist and getting into Korea University to meet the boy she loves. Oh Sa Rang, her best friend, is the daughter of the school janitor. Although she is aware that college is not realistic for her, she is already determined to take the civil service exam. Even though Hyun Tae Won is lower than Eun Ho, her moody father, who has invested in the high school, is wealthy. Teachers turn their backs on Tae Won’s poor behavior and school performance. Wealthy families have access to the most expensive education, as well as private tutors and cram schools. Song Dae Hwi is however the number one. He is the No. 1 student in his class despite being poor and living with an alcoholic mother. Kim Hui Chan, a wealthy student, is forced to tutor him. Hong Nam Joo, a beautiful girl, seems to be pursuing him for his study notes. Eun Ho is wrongly attributed to the troubles caused by a student at high school. She must find the culprit so she can go to college.
- “Gangnam Beauty” (2018)
This series follows Kang Mi Rae, who was once bullied over her looks. Because of this, she was insecure and cautious around others, as well as withdrawing. Mi Rae decides that her life is better without bullying, and undergoes plastic surgery to improve her appearance. Do Kyung Suk, her middle-school friend, is there to help her. She sees people from the inside, and not just the outside. Kang Mi Rae becomes his favorite. Mi Rae, who is being teased yet again and called “Gangnam Beauty”, begins to feel embarrassed and begins to lose her confidence. Kyung Suk, a cold, reserved, but kind, becomes her one advocate and she begins to realize that the true beauty of her soul isn’t on the outside.
- “Extraordinary You” (2019)
This is the story of a little girl who discovers she is a supporting character in a webcomic and decides to change her destiny. Eun Dan Oh, 17, is a high school student from a wealthy family. She suffers from a severe heart condition and will likely not live beyond her teens. Dan Oh discovers that her memory is also suffering from long gaps. This leads her to the sad realization that her life is now governed by a Korean webtoon, and the artist who created her is responsible for all her actions. Even worse, she finds out she is only one of the supporting characters in the cast. Her new understanding of the world she lives in has made her determined to find true love and circumvent the author’s plans for her character.
- “True Beauty” (2020)
This drama starred Moon Ga Young (female lead), Cha Eun Woo (male lead), and Hwang In Yeop (second lead male). The story was about a high school girl who is bullied and treated poorly because of her unattractive looks. She wanted to change her life by transforming herself into a beautiful “goddess” after learning how to apply makeup online and becoming a renowned celebrity.
- “Our Beloved Summer” (2021)
A romantic comedy that focuses on ex-lovers who split up after making a vow never to be together again. The documentary they shot ten years ago is celebrated and the couple is now forced to appear in front of the camera. An uplifting coming-of-age romantic comedy about Choi Woong-soo and Kook Yeon Soo, former lovers who parted with a promise never to see each other again. They are forced to reunite again after the viral success of the documentary they made ten years ago in high school. The series portrays their complicated emotions and growth.
