KBS has demonstrated their mastery of teen dramas with the successful releases of "Who Are You: School 2015" and "Orange Marmalade." "Orange Marmalade" premiered with 2 episodes on May 15, receiving positive feedback from viewers and critics.
Based on a popular Naver webtoon, the series stars AOA's Seol Hyun as Baek Ma Ri, a teenage vampire, who attempts to conceal her identity from her human classmates. Ma Ri longs to be ignored by the other students, wishing to live in obscurity. However, her goal is thwarted when she attracts the interest of Jung Jae Min, a popular student, portrayed by Yeo Jin Goo.
"Orange Marmalade" incorporates some of the plot devices that are consistent with vampire tales, while examining social issues that would be relevant to the mythical beings. Ma Ri becomes the victim of bullying when another student realizes that Jae Min is interested in her. "Orange Marmalade" is set within an alternate reality, where the government regulates the actions of vampires, to maintain social order.
While Ma Ri and her family maintain their existence as friendly vampires, Han Shi Hoo is less interested in the human race. CNBLUE's Lee Jong Hyun channels detached disdain into Shi Hoo. Shi Hoo is only concerned with the well-being of Ma Ri and the closed-minded views of his human counterparts.
"Who Are You: School 2015" is the latest installment in the popular "School" series. "Who Are You: School 2015" examines controversial issues which plague high school students including bullying and the pressures to become academically successful. The series is nuanced in its portrayal of students, refraining from cliched portraits of teens.
Kim So Hyun brilliantly portrays the dual roles of Lee Eun Bi and Go Eun Byul. Eun Bi is an orphan who is viciously bullied by her classmates. Her teachers do not address the situation, due to the pristine image of Kang So Young (Joo Soo Hyang). So Young is a top student who relentlessly tortures Eun Bi, outside of the classroom. A senseless attack places Eun Bi in the hospital, where she is mistakenly identified as Go Eun Byul, a popular student at Segang High School.
Eun Bi assumes the identity of Eun Byul, only to discover that she was also a bully. Eun Byul was not known for physical violence but manipulated her classmates through social isolation, cyber bullying, and financial manipulation. In typical K-Drama fashion, she immediately attracts the interest of Gong Tae Kwang, the son of a famous actress and social official. Eun Bi is the love interest of Han Yi Ahn, a talented athlete, who comes from a poor background.
Since its launch in 1999, "School" has showcased numerous emerging K-Drama stars including Jang Hyuk, Choi Kang Hee, Ha Ji Won and Jo In Sung. The series concluded in 2002 before it was relaunched with "School 2013." "School 2013" starred Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin as students at Seungri High School, a crumbling institution which ironically was named as a place of victory.
Which teen drama is your favorite- "Who Are You: School 2015" or "Orange Marmalade?"
Both series have their own appeal, but which is your favorite? Vote in the poll and comment below.
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About the writer: Adrienne Stanley is a contributing writer for Kpopstarz, KDramastars, MTV Iggy and CJ Entertainment's KCON blog. Her passions include a love of K-pop and Asian drama. When she is not writing she is hanging out on Twitter (@retrogirladdy).
