35 Best High School K Dramas To Watch

Korean dramas, or the popularly known K dramas have excited and enticed an entire generation of millennials and others for a very long time. These dramas are available in various genres and each genre has its separate fan base.

Some of these popular K dramas are also high school-based. Thus high school students can find them relatable and identify more with their central characters. The romance is more naive, the melodrama is more adolescent and the fantasy is more imaginative when you watch them as a high schooler!

How To Choose A K Drama To Watch?

Choosing a high school-based K-drama involves considering various factors to ensure it aligns with your preferences. Here’s a guide to help you pick the right one:

1. Identify Your Favourite Sub-Genres: For example, for romantic heart-fluttering moments, try “Extraordinary You” or “True Beauty”.If you want to tickle your funny bone, “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo” ‘.For drama and realism, consider “School 2013” or “Who Are You: School 2015”.Likewise, choose according to the genres you prefer.
2. Look for Strong Themes: Themes like coming-of-age that focus on the personal growth of characters like “Reply 1988” or shows that highlight the importance of friendships, such as “School 2017” can be excellent choices. Similarly, for more intense themes, “The Heirs” or “Class of Lies” is an ideal watch.
3. Check Reviews and Ratings: Use platforms like MyDramaList, Viki, or IMDb to read reviews and ratings from other viewers.
4. Consider the Cast: If you have favorite actors or actresses, look for high school dramas featuring them.
5. Watch Trailers and Clips: Trailers and short clips can give you a better sense of the drama’s vibe and whether it appeals to you.
6. Episode Length and Count: Decide if you prefer a short series (around 12 episodes) or a longer one (16-20 episodes or more).
7. Recommendations from Friends or Online Communities: Ask friends or join online forums and social media groups for suggestions.
8. Popular Choices: Start with popular high school dramas like “Boys Over Flowers”, “The Heirs”, or “Love Alarm”.

Genres Of K Dramas

The multitude of genres in k dramas with even more options to select from will leave you spoilt for choice. However, we have curated a list of the best of the best for you to enjoy. Happy viewing!

Here are the various genres of Kdramas with the best choices available in them to enjoy as a high schooler:

1. Romance

Romance is a popular genre for adolescents who see life with rose-tinted glasses. Here are some romantic high school K-dramas that are popular and widely loved:

1. “Boys Over Flowers” (2009) – A classic high school romance drama about a poor girl who attends an elite school and gets involved with a group of wealthy and popular boys known as F4.
2. “The Heirs” (2013) – This drama follows the lives of privileged high school students as they navigate love, friendship, and family expectations. The main romance is between a rich heir and a poor girl.
3. “Who Are You: School 2015” (2015) – This drama involves twin sisters separated at birth who reunite under mysterious circumstances in high school, with a central love triangle involving the main characters.
4. “Sassy Go Go” (2015) – Also known as “Cheer Up!,” this drama centers around a cheerleading squad at an elite high school and their struggles with friendship, competition, and love.
5. “My ID is Gangnam Beauty” (2018) – This drama follows a college student who undergoes plastic surgery before starting university to gain confidence, and her romantic journey with a handsome and popular classmate. 

2. Melodrama

Melodrama is another genre that keeps the blood rushing through our hearts and tears running through our eyes. Here are some melodramatic high school K-dramas that are known for their intense emotional storylines and complex character relationships:

6. “School 2013” (2012-2013)** – This drama focuses on the struggles and friendships of high school students and their teachers, dealing with issues like bullying, academic pressure, and personal growth.
7. “Seonam Girls High School Investigators” (2014-2015)** – While it has mystery elements, this drama also delves into the emotional lives of high school girls as they tackle various societal issues, including bullying and personal struggles.
8. “Angry Mom” (2015) – This drama follows a mother who goes undercover as a high school student to protect her daughter from bullying, uncovering deep issues within the school system. It’s a mix of intense drama and heartfelt moments.
9. “Beautiful World” (2019) – This drama deals with the aftermath of a tragic incident involving a middle school student, exploring themes of family, justice, and the struggles of dealing with trauma and seeking truth.
10. “Shut Up Flower Boy Band” (2012) – This drama follows a high school rock band and their journey through friendship, rivalry, and romance, with a heavy dose of emotional and dramatic moments.

3. Fantasy

Fantasy and supernatural themes are an evergreen element to spice up any storyline. Here are some popular fantasy high school K-dramas that blend supernatural elements with the everyday lives of students:

11. “My Love from the Star” (2013-2014) – This drama features an alien who has been living on Earth for 400 years and falls in love with a high school student. The mix of sci-fi and romance makes it a compelling watch.
12. “Orange Marmalade” (2015) – Set in a world where vampires coexist with humans, this drama follows a high school girl who is a vampire and her love story with a human boy, exploring themes of identity and acceptance.
13. “Extraordinary You” (2019)- A unique twist on the high school genre, this drama follows a girl who realizes she is a character in a comic book and tries to change her fate. It blends fantasy elements with a high school setting and romance.
14. “The School Nurse Files” (2020) – Set in a high school, this drama follows a nurse with the ability to see and battle supernatural creatures, blending fantasy with everyday school life.
15. “Love Alarm” (2019) – Set in a high school, this drama features an app that alerts users if someone nearby has romantic feelings for them. While more of a romance, the technological premise adds a fantasy element.

4. Action

Dramas that combine the high-energy, fast-paced elements of action with the everyday lives and challenges of high school students, make for an an engaging and exciting viewing experience. Here are some high school K-dramas that incorporate action elements, providing thrilling and dynamic storylines:

16. “Cheer Up!” (2015) – Also known as “Sassy Go Go,” this drama centers around a high school cheerleading squad, blending sports action with intensely personal and group dynamics.
17. “White Christmas” (2011) – A psychological thriller set in a secluded high school during winter break, where a group of students and a teacher are targeted by a mysterious antagonist. The series includes action and suspense elements.
18. “Extracurricular” (2020) – This intense drama follows a high school student involved in illegal activities to make money, leading to dangerous situations and action-packed sequences as he tries to avoid getting caught.
19. “Moorim School” (2016) – Set in a unique high school that teaches martial arts and values like honesty and sacrifice, this drama is filled with action, fights, and intense training sequences.
20. “Solomon’s Perjury” (2016-2017)- While primarily a mystery drama, it includes action and intense moments as students investigate a classmate’s death, uncovering dark secrets along the way.

5. Horror

These dramas provide a mix of horror, suspense, and supernatural elements, set against the backdrop of high school life, making for thrilling and eerie viewing experiences. Here are some high school K-dramas that incorporate horror elements, providing thrilling and spooky storylines:

21. “The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim” (2021)** – This drama follows a high school student with the ability to see ghosts who teams up with a fellow student to solve supernatural mysteries and battle evil spirits.
22. “Nightmare Teacher” (2016) – This web drama revolves around a mysterious substitute teacher who manipulates students’ dreams, turning their desires into horrifying nightmares.
23. “Mourning Grave” (2014) – This film, set in a high school, follows a student with the ability to see ghosts who encounters a vengeful spirit and tries to uncover the truth behind her death. It’s a blend of horror, mystery, and romance.
24. “Sweet Home” (2020)- While not exclusively a high school drama, it involves high school-aged characters dealing with a horrifying apocalypse where humans turn into monsters. The show blends horror, action, and psychological elements.
25. “Save Me” (2017) – This drama involves a high school girl who, along with her family, gets trapped in a religious cult. The show includes intense psychological horror elements and the harrowing experiences of the characters.

6. Slice-Of-Life

These slice-of-life high school K-dramas provide a realistic portrayal of the everyday lives, friendships, and challenges faced by high school students. Some of them are:

26. “Reply 1988” (2015-2016) – This beloved drama, while not entirely focused on high school, captures the everyday lives of five friends and their families in a neighborhood during the late 1980s. It portrays friendship, family, and growing up in a nostalgic and heartwarming manner.
27. ”Age of Youth” (2016)- While primarily set in a shared house of college students, this drama captures the essence of coming-of-age and the slice-of-life genre, dealing with friendship, love, and personal challenges.
28. “Just Between Lovers” (2017-2018) – Though not exclusively set in high school, this drama explores the lives of young adults dealing with trauma and healing, with flashbacks to their high school days. It’s a touching and realistic portrayal of personal growth.
29. “Moment of Eighteen” (2019)- This drama provides an honest depiction of the lives of 18-year-olds, focusing on their struggles, dreams, and the everyday challenges they face in high school.
30. “Beautiful World” (2019)- This drama deals with the aftermath of a tragic incident involving a middle school student, focusing on family dynamics, justice, and the struggles of dealing with trauma and seeking truth.

7. Musicals

Musical dramas give a beat to our feet and a spark of joy to our hearts. Here are some high school K-dramas that incorporate music themes, focusing on the lives of students pursuing their dreams in the world of music:

31. “Dream High” (2011)- This popular drama follows a group of students at Kirin High School of Art as they strive to become K-pop stars. It features a mix of romance, friendship, and the challenges of the music industry.
32. “Monster” (2013)- This drama revolves around a troubled idol singer who joins a high school music club, where he and his fellow club members find healing and growth through music.
33. “Shut Up Flower Boy Band” (2012)- Focusing on a high school rock band, this drama explores the friendships, struggles, and dreams of its members as they navigate their musical journey and personal lives.
34. “The Liar and His Lover” (2017) – Based on a Japanese manga, this drama tells the story of a genius music producer who falls for a high school girl with a beautiful voice. It combines ro
35. “Do You Like Brahms?” (2020) – Although set in a university, it revolves around classical music students, exploring their dreams, relationships, and the pressures of pursuing a music career.

Conclusion

The world of Kdramas after watching even a few of these dramas will leave you more hungry than ever to soak in the Korean/Japanese culture.

Well, don’t worry! The journey has just begun. You can explore further with these 55 High school-related anime to watch. And whenever you are low, switch on your favorite BTS songs or read these 40-plus BTS quotes for motivation. After all, the K world has just opened up for you!