From friendships, young love and the journey towards bidding goodbye to our youth, one of Kdrama staples is the coming-of-age story that would make every viewer reminisce about their past.
This K-drama genre often focuses on the challenges of adulting and dealing with first love or budding romances. However, it's not always rainbows and butterflies since youth dramas also highlight issues like bullying, social pressure and more.
Just when you want to take a trip down memory lane, here are the iconic coming-of-age K-dramas that deserve a rewatch this week!
Reply 1988
"Reply 1988" is probably everyone's all-time favorite coming-of-age K-dramas. Released in 2015, the drama was headlined by Park Bo Gum, Lee Dong Hwi, Go Kyung Pyo and real-life couple Lee Hyeri and Ryu Jun Yeol.
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The series depicts the story of five best friends who live in the same neighborhood called Ssangmundong. Set in the late 1980s, it highlights their journey while trying to survive the challenging teen years as they figure out what they want for their future.
School 2021
South Korea's rising stars WEi's Kim Yo Han, Choo Young Woo, Kim Kang Min, Hwang Bo Reum Byeol and "Hospital Playlist" actress Jo Yi Hyun were the leads for "School 2021."
The eighth installment for the long-running "School" series follows the journey of high school students who want to follow their dreams instead of what their parents dictated.
This coming-of-age K-drama features the journey of a group of students towards friendships, growth and budding romance.
"School 2021" premiered on November 17, and aired every Wednesday and Thursday on KBS and Viki.
Dream High
One of the beloved K-dramas with the coming-of-age genre is, undeniably, "Dream High"!
The rom-com musical stars Bae Suzy, Kim Soo Hyun, Ok Taecyeon, IU and more as they play the character of six art high school students.
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Despite growing up in different walks of life, the students were united with one goal: to become stars. The K-drama features rivalry, sacrifices, tests of friendship and struggles to reach their dreams.
Itaewon Class
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Park Saeroyi, played by Park Seo Joon, was kicked out of school for punching a bully.
After his life was turned upside down because of the incident, he planned to take his revenge by destroying the conglomerate owned by the evil CEO Jang Dae Hee, portrayed by Yoo Jae Myung.
He then followed his father's footsteps and started a pub named "DanBam" in Itaewon. Park Saeroyi, alongside his staff, aims to reach greater heights as a budding entrepreneur.
The Heirs
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The 2013 K-drama "The Heirs" stars Lee Min Ho as the chaebol's son Kim Tan who returns to Korea after being exiled in the United States.
Apart from his story, "The Heirs" also highlights the extravagant lifestyle of Seoul's third-generation chaebol that touches on sibling rivalry, family politics and more.
Apart from Lee Min Ho, "The Heir" cast also includes Kim Woo Bin, Park Shin Hye, and Kim Ji Won.
Twenty Five, Twenty One
By far one of the latest fan-favorite coming-of-age K-dramas is the Kim Tae Ri and Nam Joo Hyuk-led "Twenty Five, Twenty One."
In this drama, fencing prodigy Na Hee Do (Kim Tae Ri) longs for her mother's affection who doesn't give her any time of the day after her father died. Baek Yi Jin (Nam Joo Hyuk), who was once a rich conglomerate's son, drops out of college to support his younger brother's schooling.
Together with their friends, they deal with love and aspirations amid the financial crisis that hit South Korea in the late 90s.
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Do you know other coming-of-age K-dramas that make you feel nostalgic? Tell us in the comments!
