Yes, you heard it right: Korean dramas! They are the kind of shows that don’t get boring and can be easily binged in a short amount of time, just like watching a movie. When you first start watching K-dramas, the spoken language might sound strange at first, and you might think, “What is this?” But just like everything else, you eventually get used to it. On average, a typical series lasts around 16 to 20 episodes, with runtimes varying between 50 minutes and an hour.
Here are 5 Korean youth dramas that I highly recommend. It has been quite a while since I watched the shows listed below, as they were practically the very first K-dramas I ever dove into.
1. Dream High
The plot is set in a high school that provides conservatory training, and the music they produce is genuinely the kind you will love. Also, there is an overweight character in the show who loses so much weight that they end up looking absolutely amazing. I’d be lying if I said this show didn’t trigger some serious ambition in me. In my opinion, this series is a perfect example of what heights people can reach when they work hard.
2. Dream High 2
This series isn’t exactly a direct continuation of the first season; instead, it focuses on events happening at the school after a certain period of time has passed. This means the cast has nothing to do with the actors from the first season, except for a few brief guest appearances.
3. God of Study
This is the exact show that pumped me up back during my LYS (university entrance exam) days and actually got me to study. Thanks to this drama, I truly witnessed what hard work really looks like. I’ve watched it 2 or 3 times now, and every single time I do, it completely reignites my drive to study. Besides, this dedication to studying is on a whole different level among South Koreans. Ever since the Korean War, they haven’t known anything other than hard work. They work non-stop.
4. Boys Over Flowers
I watched this one mostly for entertainment value and because of the hilarious dialogue between the main characters. It was a highly amusing youth drama that made me laugh a lot. 😀
5. Playful Kiss
This show features a smug, arrogant guy and a girl who constantly chases after him. The plot is quite nice, and they get married at the end, making it a perfect wrap-up. 🙂
BONUS DRAMA: To the Beautiful You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slj3HuAzIu0
This drama starts with a female student secretly infiltrating an all-boys high school disguised as a male student. If you’re wondering how that’s even possible: since Korean men generally don’t have much facial hair, you can sometimes mistake them for girls anyway! But the drama is incredibly fun, while still teaching the value of dedication.
In almost every Korean youth drama I’ve watched, the importance of studying and diligence is constantly emphasized to the younger generation. Through these shows, you can easily understand exactly why South Korea possesses such highly advanced, cutting-edge technology today.
