15 Swoon-worthy Korean High School Dramas you better not miss: Boys Over Flowers to White Christmas

Right from Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo to Boys Over Flowers, scroll ahead for the ultimate list of the best swoon-worthy Korean high school dramas listed according to their IMDb ratings.

By Ayushi Balani

Updated on Jul 18, 2024 | 01:20 PM IST | 2.4M

11 Swoon-worthy Korean High School Dramas you’d better not miss

There is something insanely addictive about high school romance that manages to appeal to all kinds of K drama fans. That is precisely this time we have carefully curated a list of the best Korean high school dramas that not only feature spectacularly written high school romance but manage to take you back to the nostalgic teenage years, raging hormones, and the relatable experiences of growing up as a teen. Moreover, we assure you that we have managed to curate an all-inclusive list that includes intense high school K dramas, romantic dramas, K dramas with just the right kind of comedy, dramas with spectacularly swoon-worthy casts and so much more.

In fact, if you have been looking for instant mood lifters these enlisted Korean high school dramas are all you need to binge!

11 Best Korean High School Dramas according to their IMDb ratings:

1. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016–2017)

Genre: Comedy, Romance
Star Cast: Lee Song Kyoung, Nam Joo Hyuk, Jae Yoon Lee, Hye Jung Cho
Director: Oh Hyun Jong
Writer: Yang Hee seung
Number of episodes: 16
Episode Duration: 60 min
Year of release: 2016
Network/Where to watch: Netflix
IMDb rating: 8.3/10

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo is a Korean romantic comedy that features the story of a group of college students. Directed by Oh Hyun Jong, the show features the best of Korean stars that include, including Lee Song Kyoung, Nam Joo Hyuk, Jae Yoon Lee, and Hye Jung Cho among several others. The 6-episode coming-of-age high school romance k-drama showcases the best of teenage romance and is available on Netflix to stream.

2. White Christmas (2011)

Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror
Star Cast: Kim Sang kyung, Sung Hyun Baek, Esom, Lee Soo hyuk
Director: Kim Yong Soo
Writer: Park Yeon Seon
Number of episodes: 8
Episode Duration: 65 min
Year of release: 2011
Network/Where to watch: KBS2
IMDb rating: 8/10

Another Korean high school drama we highly recommend is White Christmas. This 2011 show features the best crime, drama, and horror. Directed by Kim Young Soo, the show After receiving an anonymous letter stating that someone would die, eight students at the elite boarding school decided to remain at school for the 8 days of winter break. To accompany them, a teacher is forced to remain.

3. Reply 1997 (2012–2013)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Star Cast: Eun ji Jung, Seo In Guk, Hoya, Shin So yul
Director: Shin Won Ho
Writer: Lee Woo Jung, Lee Sun Hye, Kim Ran Joo
Number of episodes: 16
Episode Duration: 50 min
Year of release: 2021
Network/Where to watch: tvN, Amazon Prime Video
IMDb rating: 7.9/10

Another best Korean drama we highly recommend watching right away is Reply 1997. Directed by Shin Won Ho the show features the best of Eun Ji Jung, Seo In Guk, Hoya, and Shin So Yul. This 16-episode show has the best of comedy drama and romance and is available on Amazon Prime Video to stream. Watch this 2021 High school Korean drama to witness the best of high school tales.

4. Boys Over Flowers (2009)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Star Cast: Ku Hye Sun, Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun joong, Kim Bum
Director: Jeon Ki sang
Writer: Yoon Ji Ryun
Number of episodes: 25
Episode Duration: 70 min
Year of release: 2009
Network/Where to watch: KBS2, MX Player
IMDb rating: 7.8/10

This 2019 show titled Boys Over Flowers showcases the tale of how a not-so-rich girl gets admitted to an elite school titled Shin Hwa High. Watch the romantic comedy K-drama to witness the best of Ku Hye Sun, Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun Joong, and Kim Bum. Directed by Jeon Ki Sang, this 25-episode show is one of the best High school Korean dramas and is available on MX player to watch.

5. Extraordinary You (2019)

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Star Cast: Kim Hye Yoon, Kim Ro Woon, Jae Wook Lee, Na Eun Lee
Director: Kim Sang Hyeop
Writer: In Ji Hye, Song Ha Young
Number of episodes: 32
Episode Duration: 35 min
Year of release: 2019
Network/Where to watch: MBC TV, Viki, Amazon Prime Video
IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Another Korean high school drama we recommend watching is Extraordinary You. Directed by Kim Sang Young, and written by In Ji Hye, and Song Ha Young, this story features the best Korean actors including Kim Hye Yoon, Kim Ro Woon, Jae Wook Lee, and Na Eun Lee among others. With the best elements of comedy romance and fantasy, the show’s plot is based on a girl who discovers she is a character in a webcomic and is indeed one of the best High school Korean dramas.

6. Page Turner (2016)

Genre: Drama, Music
Star Cast: Kim So Hyun, Ji Soo, Ji Won Ye, Sin Jae Ha
Director: Lee Jae Hoon
Writer: Heo Yoon Sook, Park Hye Ryun
Number of episodes: 3
Year of release: 2016
Network/Where to watch: KBS2, Rocowa, Rakuten Viki, KoreaOnDemand.
IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Another one of the best High school Korean dramas that features a spectacular teenage story is Page Turner. The 2016 show is directed by Lee Jae Hoon and written by Heo Yoon Sook and Park Hye Ryun. Moreover, the 3 episode drama features the best of Kim So Hyun, Ji Soo, Ji Won Ye, and Sin Jae Ha. We highly recommend watching this musical drama to witness a tale of an aspiring pianist who is way too talented to lose her sight.

7. School 2013 (2012–2013)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Coming of age teen
Star Cast: Lee Jong Suk, Kim Woo Bin, Park Se Young, Jang Na Ra
Director: Lee Min Hong, Lee Eung Bok
Writer: Lee Hyun Joo, Go Jung Won
Number of episodes: 16
Episode Duration: 60 min
Year of release: 2012
Network/Where to watch: Korean Broadcasting System, Kocowa, Rakuten Viki
IMDb rating: 7.7 /10

School is another coming-of-age Korean drama that features an iconic high school tale featuring the best of comedy and drama. Directed by Lee Min Hong, and Lee Eung Bok and written by Lee Hyun Joo, Go Jung Won, the 16-episode show was released in 2012. The best school Kdrama stars Korean actors including Lee Jong Suk, Kim Woo Bin, Park Se Young, and Jang Na Ra among others, and is definitely a must-watch.

8. Dream High (2011–2012)

Genre: Comedy, Music, Romance
Star Cast: J.Y. Park, Kim Soo Hyun, Ji Eun Lee, Bae Suzy
Director: Lee Eung Bok, Kim Seong Yoon
Writer: Park Hye Ryun
Number of episodes: 16(+1 special)
Episode Duration: 65-70 min
Year of release: 2011
Network/Where to watch: Holym CJ Media, Netflix
IMDb rating: 7.6/10

Another show features a story of 6 devoted high students studying at Kirin Art High School who aspire to pursue a career in the Korean music industry. This comedy romance drama is no less than an iconic musical. The show is directed by Lee Eung Bok, and Kim Seong Yoon, and written by Park Hye Ryun. We highly recommend watching the show to witness the best acting performances by J.Y. Park, Kim Soo Hyun, Ji Eun Lee, and Bae Suzy among several others. It is one of the best shows on our high school korean drama list and is available on Netflix to stream.

9. Who Are You: School 2015 (2015)

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance
Star Cast: Nam Joo Hyuk, Kim So Hyun, Yook Sung Jae, Mi Seon Jeon
Director: Baek Sang hoon, Kim Seong yoon
Writer: Kim Min jung, Im Ye jin
Number of episodes: 16
Episode Duration: 60 min
Year of release: 2015
Network/Where to watch: KBS2, Netflix
IMDb rating: 7.6/10

Another amazing Korean high school drama that features a mysterious tale of two orphaned twin sisters, who are separated after one of the sisters is adopted. The drama takes an interesting turn when their lives are switched. Directed and written by Baek Sang Hoon, Kim Seong Yoon and Kim Min Jung, Im Ye Jin respectively. The 16-episode show was released in 2015 and is available to stream on Netflix. The show features a star cast that includes, Nam Joo Hyuk, Kim So Hyun, Yook Sung Jae, and Mi Seon Jeon among several others.

10. The Heirs (2013)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Star Cast: Lee Min Ho, Park Shin Hye, Kim Woo Bin, Kim Ji Won
Director: Kang Shin Hyo, Boo Sung Chul
Writer: Kim Eun Sook
Number of episodes: 20
Episode Duration: 55 min
Year of release: 2013
Network/Where to watch: MX Player
IMDb rating: 7.5/10

If you still haven't watched The Heirs, you are missing out on the best of romantic high school Korean dramas. The show features the best of Korean actors including Lee Min Ho, Park Shin Hye, Kim Woo Bin, and Kim Ji Won. Directed and written by Kang Shin Hyo, Boo Sung Chul, and Kim Eun Sook respectively, the show is available on MX Player to stream. The 20-episode show showcases a story of LA teens from very distinct social backgrounds who meet at an extra-exclusive elite high school.

11. A Moment at Eighteen (2019)

Also Known as: 18 Moments, At Eighteen
Genre: Drama, Romance, Coming of age
Star Cast: Seong wu Ong, Hyang gi Kim, Seung Ho Shin, Kang Ki young
Director: Shim Na Yeon
Writer: Yoon Kyung ah
Number of episodes: 16
Episode Duration: 65 min
Year of release: 2019
Network/Where to watch: JTBC, Netflix
IMDb rating: 7.5/10

A Moment at Eighteen also known as 18 Moments and At Eighteen is another highly-rated Korean drama that features a story of three students figuring out what they want in life. The 16-episode coming-of-age show is directed and written by Shim Na Yeon and Yoon Kyung Ah respectively. The romantic drama has a great star cast including Korean actors like Seong Wu Ong, Hyang Gi Kim, Seung Ho Shin, and Kang Ki Young. The JTBC K-drama is available on Netflix to stream.

12. Master of Study (2010)

Genre: Drama, Romance, Teen
Star Cast: Kim Soo Ro, Bae Doona, Oh Yoon Ah, Yoo Seung Ho, Go Ah Sung, Lee Hyun Woo, Park Ji Yeon, Lee Chan Ho
Director: Yoo Hyun Ki
Writer: Yoon Kyung Ah
Number of episodes: 16
Episode Duration: 70 min
Year of release: 2010
Network/Where to watch: Netflix
IMDb rating: 7.1/10

Starring Kim Soo Ro, Bae Doona, Oh Yoon Ah, Yoo Seung Ho, Go Ah Sung, Lee Hyun Woo, Park Ji Yeon, and Lee Chan Ho, Master of Study is directed by Yoo Hyun Ki and written by Yoon Kyung Ah. We highly recommend watching this 16-episode show. With a high IMDb rating, this high school romance show is available on Netflix to stream.

13. Hi! School: Love On (2014)

Genre: Drama, Romance, School, Supernatural, Teen, Comedy
Star Cast: Kim Sae Ron, Nam Woo Hyun, Lee Sung Yeol
Director: Sung Joon hae, Lee Eun mi
Writer: Lee Jae Yeon
Number of episodes: 20
Episode Duration: 60 min
Year of release: 2014
Network/Where to watch: KBS2, Rakuten Viki
IMDb rating: 7.1/10

Hi! School: Love On is a 2014 high school romance drama that features the best of Kim Sae Ron, Nam Woo Hyun, and Lee Sung Yeol amongst others. The supernatural teen comedy-drama is directed by Sung Joon Hae and Lee Eun Mi while it’s written by Lee Jae Yeon. The plot of the show is basically how a teen angel falls for a human but is so much deeper than that.

14. Orange Marmalade (2015)

Genre: Drama, Romance, Fantasy
Star Cast: Yeo Jin Gu, Seol Hyun Kim, Won Hee Lee
Director: Sung Beom Choi, Lee Hyeong Min
Writer: Moon So San
Number of episodes: 12
Episode Duration: 50 min
Year of release: 2015
Network/Where to watch: KBS
IMDb rating: 6.3/10

If you are into high school romance Korean dramas, we highly recommend watching Yeo Jin Gu, Seol Hyun Kim, and Won Hee Lee starrer Orange Marmalade. The high school drama has elements of fantasy wherein a high school student is a vampire. This teen vampire drama showcases a world where humans and vampires live together. Vampires don’t feed on humans but are still scary. Watch the show to witness a vampire love triangle.

15. Adolescence Medley (2013)

Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
Star Cast: Kwak Dong Yeon, Lee Se Young, Choi Tae Joon, Kwak Jung Wook, Park Jeong Min, Bae Noo Ri, Yoon Park
Director: Kim Seong-yoon
Writer: Kim Bo Yeon
Number of episodes: 4
Episode Duration: 60 min
Year of release: 2013
Network/Where to watch: KBS2
IMDb rating: 7.3/10

Another show that totally manages to refresh high school memories is Adolescence Medley. This high school romance drama just has 4 episodes but certainly holds the power to leave a deep impact. The plot of the show features a village high school and its students. The star cast of the 2013 show includes Kwak Dong Yeon, Lee Se Young, Choi Tae Joon, Kwak Jung Wook, Park Jeong Min, Bae Noo Ri, and Yoon Park.

Whether it is an intense drama, light-hearted drama, romance, romantic comedy, or mystery, we have tried to include all kinds of genres to curate an all-inclusive list of the best Korean high school dramas that have something for everyone. In fact, we highly recommend you to bookmark this page if you like teenage stories of friendship and high school.

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