Top 10 Best Youth Films from South Korea

Reply 1988 is a 2015 South Korean television series starring Lee Hye Ri, Park Bo Gum, Ryu Jun Yeol, Go Kyung Pyo, and Lee Dong-hwi. This heartwarming family drama is set in 1988 and centers around families living in the same neighborhood in Ssangmun-dong, Dobong District, North Seoul. Directed by Shin Won-ho, the series follows the same theme of a "secret husband" introduced in the earlier seasons, Reply 1997 and Reply 1994. Three families live under one roof, spanning from 1986 to 1994, based on the charm of family-driven K-dramas.

Reply 1988 takes place in 1988, against the bustling backdrop of Seoul, where the peaceful Ssangmun neighborhood is home to five unique children who have been close since childhood. Their friendship is carefree, joyful, and mixed with the first stirrings of love. The series masterfully alternates between past and present, offering a refreshing narrative experience. The friendship between the five friends is beautifully depicted, with small but meaningful gestures like Jung Hwan giving up his beloved sneakers to help his friend, or the group waiting until midnight after a Go game to celebrate their friend Taek's birthday. In addition to friendship, the show also explores innocent love—Jung Hwan’s love for Deok Sun, Sun Woo's anticipation of the first snowfall to confess his feelings to Deok Sun’s sister, and the shy Taek’s protective gesture toward Deok Sun during a match.

Despite being released 7 years ago, Reply 1988 continues to trend on Netflix, captivating viewers with its simple, relatable stories of friendship, love, family, and youth in the close-knit, warm-hearted community of Ssangmundong.

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo is a 2016 South Korean drama that quickly became a hit across Asia thanks to its fresh theme, charming storyline, and talented cast. Starring Lee Sung-kyung and Nam Joo-hyuk, this coming-of-age sports drama is inspired by the real-life Olympic gold medalist, Jang Mi-ran.

Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung-Kyung) is a determined weightlifter with a strong personality. Her father runs a small chicken restaurant, and her uncle is a rising actor who works part-time at the restaurant. Kim has a pure, straightforward character with a strong sense of justice. Along with her teammates, she struggles with prejudice as they don’t have many boyfriends, and the weightlifting and rhythmic gymnastics teams constantly clash. Meanwhile, Jung Joon Hyung (Nam Joo Hyuk), a former swimmer who was disqualified from an international competition due to a psychological injury, is now 21 years old with a carefree and happy-go-lucky spirit. He lives with his aunt and uncle (who are actually his guardians) and his cousin, Jung Jae-Yi (Lee Jae-Yoon). The series not only captures the intense passion of youth for sports but also explores family bonds, friendships, and the relationship between students and teachers. The story begins when Kim Bok-Joo finds Jung Joon Hyung's precious handkerchief, which he desperately starts searching for.

With the stellar performances of models-turned-actors Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo delivers a heartfelt, refreshing experience in just 16 episodes. This K-drama beautifully captures the innocence and sweetness of university life. Watch it to relive the charming, gentle moments of youth once more.

Cheese in The Trap is a South Korean drama based on a webtoon of the same name, which was originally serialized on Naver starting in 2010. The series stars Park Hae-jin and Kim Go-eun and aired for 16 episodes on tvN from January 4 to March 1, 2016. The ending of the show differs from the webtoon, as the latter was incomplete at the time of the series’ conclusion.

The show revolves around the relationship between Hong Seol (Kim Go-eun), a hardworking university student who struggles financially, and her senior, Yoo Jung (Park Hae-jin), a seemingly perfect individual with great academic achievements, a wealthy background, and a good personality. However, Yoo Jung has a darker side and often shows a more manipulative side to those he perceives as adversaries.

Filled with suspense and mystery, Cheese in The Trap never fails to keep viewers intrigued. Although the series diverges from the original storyline in several aspects, the changes are understandable since the manhwa was still ongoing at the time. The show stands out for its well-crafted plot and the nuanced development of its characters. Despite some backlash from loyal fans of the webtoon, who were disappointed by the differences, the series does not resort to melodrama or preachy moral lessons. Instead, it offers a genuine depiction of student life, filled with moments of laughter, frustration, and relatable struggles, allowing viewers to find pieces of themselves in the characters’ journeys, their dreams, and their shared experiences of youth.

Dream High is a story about a group of young students at Kirin High School, each striving to achieve their dream of becoming a successful singer. Throughout the journey, they face numerous challenges, including hardships in life and health issues, but in the end, these six friends manage to overcome the obstacles and fulfill their long-held dreams.

The series features a talented cast of young stars with impressive singing abilities, including Suzy, Eun Jung, Kim Soo Hyun, IU, Taecyeon, and Wooyoung, along with music expert JYP. This promises to deliver some incredible musical performances for the audience to enjoy.

School 2015 is a 2015 South Korean drama starring Kim So-hyun, Yook Sung-jae, and Nam Joo-hyuk. It is the sixth installment in the long-running KBS 'School' series, which originally aired from 1999 to 2002 and resumed in 2013. The show delves into the various struggles and challenges faced by today's youth in South Korea.

The story follows identical twin sisters, Go Eun-byul and Lee Eun-bi, who were separated when one was adopted at the age of 5. Eun-bi lives at Love House, an orphanage in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang, where the children look up to her as a maternal figure. However, she hides the fact that she is being bullied by a group of girls led by Kang So-young, while the teachers turn a blind eye. On the other hand, Eun-byul is attending Sekang High School, the most prestigious private school in Gangnam, Seoul. Eun-byul’s best friends are Cha Song Joo and Lee Shi-jin, and she shares a close bond with Han Yi-an, the school’s star swimmer. But Eun-byul, too, is hiding a painful secret—she is the victim of brutal bullying. Eun-bi, on the other hand, seeks to change her past by becoming a bright and popular student at her new school. As she gradually regains her memories, she uncovers shocking truths about her new school, Sekang High. Though Eun-bi and Eun-byul are identical, only Eun-byul knows about their connection. While Eun-bi is friendly and outgoing, Eun-byul is more distant and reserved.

One day, Eun-byul goes missing, and Eun-bi contemplates suicide due to the injustices she’s faced in life. Fate takes a turn when Eun-bi wakes up, mistaken for Eun-byul, and is taken in by Eun-byul’s adoptive mother. At her new school, she comes face-to-face with her former tormentor. Will she be able to confront the bullies who once tormented her? And where is Eun-byul? Watch School 2015 to uncover the mysteries surrounding the twins.

Fight for My Way, also known as My Life is Not Perfect, stars talented young actors such as Park Seo Jun, Kim Ji Won, and Ahn Jae Hong. The series follows a group of underachieving young adults who dream big but struggle to survive and succeed in careers for which they feel unqualified.

This drama portrays friendship and love among adults who are still learning and facing challenges that come with growing up. They fight through obstacles to become true adults, and in the process, the show evokes nostalgia for the lost days of youth.

With its realistic storyline, natural performances, and a satisfying conclusion, Fight for My Way received praise from both viewers and critics, earning an impressive 8.1/10 on IMDb.

True Beauty (The Real Beauty) tells the story of Im Joo-Gyeong, a high school student who has long struggled with her insecurities about her appearance. Constantly bullied and ridiculed by her peers for being considered unattractive, Joo-Gyeong refuses to accept her fate. She works hard to learn the art of makeup, transforming herself into a confident, beautiful ‘goddess.’ With her new look, her life takes a turn, and she begins a romance with Lee Su-Ho, a seemingly perfect student with a dark past.

The drama delves into familiar themes of self-esteem, school life, and societal pressures, offering a snapshot of the struggles that young people face in contemporary South Korean society. Featuring a talented young cast, including Mun Ka Young, Cha Eun Woo, and Hwang In Youp, the series garnered widespread attention and became an instant hit upon release.

Itaewon Class is a South Korean television series that premiered in 2020, starring Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi, Yoo Jae-myung, and Kwon Nara, with Kim Sung-yoon as the director. Based on the popular webtoon of the same name by Jo Gwang Jin, this is the first drama produced by Showbox, the film distribution company.

The series follows the life and career of Park Sae-royi (played by Park Seo-joon), a former convict, and his journey with a group of like-minded individuals as they pursue their big dreams. Set in the vibrant neighborhood of Itaewon in Seoul, the show conveys powerful messages about the struggles of youth, their relentless pursuit of their ideals, and their willingness to take on the harsh realities of life despite facing immense opposition from powerful forces.

In addition to its themes of entrepreneurship, personal redemption, and continuing the legacy of a father, the story also highlights the economic disparities in South Korea and the protagonist’s quest for revenge for his father’s death. With its engaging plot, a mix of drama, romance, and action, as well as intense power struggles and deadly schemes, Itaewon Class captivated audiences and consistently achieved high ratings throughout its run.

Extracurricular is a South Korean drama directed by Kim Jin-min, starring Kim Dong-hee, Park Ju-hyun, Jung Da-bin, Nam Yoon-soo, Choi Min-soo, Park Hyuk-kwon, and Kim Yeo-jin. Released on Netflix on April 29, 2020, the series immediately gained attention due to its shocking premise and thrilling twists that even the most imaginative viewers could not foresee. The show delves into the dark and hidden world of the underground sex industry within a high school setting.

The appeal of Extracurricular lies in its central characters, who are not the typical heroes or victims forced into a criminal path by life’s circumstances. Rather, these teenagers consciously choose this dangerous route. The dialogue reflects the mindset and struggles of adolescence, offering a raw and realistic portrayal of the pressures and temptations faced by students. The show sheds light on the darker side of school life, where the education system fails to keep up with the rapidly changing world, leaving students vulnerable to external influences without proper guidance. This lack of direction leads to impulsive, misguided decisions without full awareness of the consequences.

The title Extracurricular itself is ironic, as it suggests that traditional school activities have become dull and unimportant. This theme is poignantly highlighted in the series' conclusion, which serves as a cautionary tale rather than an endorsement of these behaviors.

Love Alarm is a South Korean drama series based on the popular Daum webtoon by Chon Kye-young. Starring Kim So-hyun, Jung Ga-ram, and Song Kang, the show premiered on Netflix on August 22, 2019, with its second season following in early 2021.

The plot of Love Alarm revolves around a groundbreaking app that reveals the true feelings of people around you. The app notifies users whenever someone within a 10-meter radius has romantic feelings for them. This seemingly innocent concept brings with it the challenge of revealing emotions that were once hidden, making it impossible for anyone to mask their true feelings.

The show's central theme focuses on this fictional app, and as a result, the production features carefully crafted visuals and graphics. While not overly complex, the simple yet charming aesthetic captures the essence of the app's unique ability. Love Alarm is an ideal pick for those looking to relive the sweetness of youth, with its warm, romantic setting and just the right amount of humor to balance the emotional moments.