High school Kdramas have made it a point to introduce love triangles amidst all the coming-of-age mix. While some of them have been able to crossover to the feel-good side of the slice-of-life genre, others have tired out the audience with this repetitive trope. Which is why we thought it was time to come up with a list of Korean drama series that go beyond the usual love triangle mess and give us something more profound to hold on to.

Of course, these stories can’t do without romance (and neither can our hearts, whether we’d like to admit it or not), however, with this list of K-drama suggestion we’ve tried our best to switch things up. Some new age drama series that have come out in the recent years have especially initiated this switch up in the pace of storytelling centred around the high school setting.

In this list of TV shows, some narratives assume a rather darker shade and plunge into a different vision altogether instead of granting us the usual harmless butterflies in the stomach scenario. However, the remaining ones that still do offer those feelings in return make an attempt to deflect certain set ideas that have governed our understanding of high school-driven stories till now.

High School Kdramas That Somewhat Subvert Archetypical Cliches

1. 18 Again

(Streaming on: Netflix)

Audiences who’re already aware of the American movie 17 Again starring Zac Efron as the titular lead, know that the aforementioned K-drama series has been inspired by its concept. However, while the film takes up a rather tasteless journey at some junctures, the Korean TV series paves the way for a fulfilling ride that digs deep into the notion of family love and friendships. Starring Lee Do-hyun, Hwang In-youp, Kim Ha-neul, Yoon Sang-hyun, and others, this show especially becomes a great watch owing to Lee Do-hyun’s stellar performance.

2. Extraordinary You

(Streaming on: Viki, Voot, Jio Cinema)

Kim Hye-yoon, Rowoon and Lee Jae-wook’s dream team leads the show based on the webtoon July Found by Chance. Introducing one of the most intriguing concepts of all, the series deals with a story within a story scenario as all the people concerned in the show play their roles as per the characters of a comic. However, Eun Dan-oh becomes one of the people in the lot to gain consciousness and realise that she must take charge of her life despite the creator of the comic having pushed her to the sidelines as a sub-character.

Yes, we encounter yet another love triangle in this one, too, however, this time the woman leading the show enacts her agency to change her fate as per choice. Knowing that she’s destined with a fateful end, she takes charge of her life and chooses to subvert the narrative written out for her by someone else.

3. Extracurricular

(Streaming on: Netflix)

What happens when a model high school student makes a bad choice in life to make ends meet for his college tuition fee? As if getting good grades and excelling at school wasn’t enough, the main lead of the story digs his own grave by charting out a criminal path and leading an unprecedented double life. With each of its 10 nail biting episodes, the series sucks you right in and keeps you at the edge of your seat throughout. Since the theme of the show is more crime-driven, there’s barely any room for any proper romance to blossom.

Extracurricular depicts a very darker reality to the high school setting, testifying to the fact that it’s not all sunshine and roses. It only takes one wrong choice for a series of never-ending mishaps to follow, and this show goes to great lengths to pull all of that into the picture.

4. Twenty Five Twenty One

(Streaming on: Netflix)

There is a big chance that even if you haven’t watched the series yet, you may already know that it doesn’t necessarily sport a happy ending. But, that’s life, isn’t it? With numerous lessons about life interspersed in its narrative, the Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Tae-ri starrer K-drama paints a bitter sweet picture of reality wherein no matter how deep and profound your love for someone may be, sometimes life happens gets in the way and your special relationships can’t stick the landing.

It’s also understandable that long-time K-drama fans may have been pulled in to watch this show due to Joo-hyuk’s presence, but ultimately, it’s actually Tae-ri who steals the show through her character’s zeal and determination.

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5. All of Us are Dead

(Streaming on: Netflix)

Forget all the rosy high school K-dramas, because this one is all about surviving a zombi apocalypse. While the hostile premise may seem a bit far-fetched, its origins are not that far from reality considering we’ve all now witnessed a global pandemic first hand. Situations like this always may way for the worst in humanity to prevail on top as one’s survival instinct kick in. However, the same can also work the other way around with the people in question making an example of playing to their strengths helping each other out.

Throughout the season, you can’t help but root for these characters to pull through and make it out alive. With heart-thumping and racing action sequences as its heart’s core, the show doesn’t really plan on breaking through the usual elements of K-dramas, and yet it grants you a time well-spent and becoming the easiest show to binge watch without a break.

6. Duty After School

(Streaming on: Viki)

Following in line with the previously mentioned series, this K-drama again bends the rainbow path constructed by the high school setting in mainstream TV shows. While most schools prepare individuals for they futures, referring to the switch up to universities, Seongjin High, has other plans for its students who go though a rigorous army training to fight off extraterrestrial monsters.

If you’re well aware of the Japanese anime Assassination Classroom, and blend its concept with the K-drama All of Us are Dead, then you get something that looks like Duty After School. Many viewers have expressed their concerns for this show owing to the rather traumatising circumstance that shape its finale. So, prepare for the worst when you’re starting get into this shows viewing experience.

7. Reply 1997

(Streaming on: Viki, Amazon Prime Video)

8. Our Beloved Summer

(Streaming on: Netflix)

9. Class of Lies

(Streaming on: Viki)

10. Dream High

(Streaming on: Netflix, Viki)

11. Sky Castle

(Streaming on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Viki, MX player)

There will never be a K-drama like Sky Castle again. Remembered as one of the best out of the bests to this date, this series came out in 2018 and shook the audiences watching it. The high school setting plays a huge role in driving its story long especially since the show centres around housewives living in the exclusive urbane Sky Castle community who are ready to resort to any means whatsoever in order to get their children to Seoul National University.

The ruthless satire comments on the materialistic lives led by the families living in this upper class community and follows great storytelling tactics while introducing us to layered characters. With almost negligible romantic strands interweaved in the story, nearly each episodes ends on cliff-hanger that keeps you coming back for more.

SPECIAL MENTIONS

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo

(Streaming on: Netflix)

This one’s actually not set in a high school, but a university, however, being one of the most heartening and stereotype-deflecting addition in the K-drama list, we couldn’t not add it here.

The Uncanny Counter

(Streaming on: Netflix)

This one has more to with its supernatural premise instead of dealing with the high school scenario, which is why it’s been added as a special mention instead.

Which of these titles spun you on your feet, or really had you going through an emotional crisis (all in good faith)? Let us know more such K-drama titles that you think have a unique story to tell as compared to the general lot?

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