Top 13 Must-Watch High School Dramas from China and Korea You Shouldn't Miss

The renowned series Reply 1988 is set in South Korea in 1988, amidst the bustling streets of Seoul lies the peaceful Ssangmun neighborhood, where five quirky yet close-knit childhood friends reside: the eccentric Go player Choi Taek (Park Bo Gum), the stoic Jung-hwan (Ryu Jun Yeol), the handsome and studious Sun-woo (Go Kyung Pyo), the clumsy Dong-ryong (Lee Dong Hwi), and the naive Deok-seon (Hyeri) - the only girl in the group.

Their carefree friendship and youthful romances are intertwined, creating a refreshing viewing experience. Throughout Reply 1988, viewers are kept guessing about the identity of Deok-seon's future husband among her four childhood male friends.

Interestingly, although Deok-seon doesn't end up with Jung-hwan in the series, they are actually a happy couple in real life entertainment industry of South Korea!

Moment At Eighteen depicts the lives and dreams of high school students who are 18 years old. They will face reality in moments of life, moments that we all may have experienced at one time or another.

Ong Seong Woo will portray Choi Jun Woo, a boy living in loneliness which has become a habit. Although Choi Jun Woo may seem unapproachable at first glance, it's simply because he is always lonely and struggles to express his emotions. Beneath his reserved exterior, Jun Woo remains a naive and endearing young man. Moment At Eighteen will narrate the events that unfold as Jun Woo transfers schools and integrates into a new environment.

Here, he meets Yoo Soo Bin - a wealthy daughter constantly under parental pressure, and Ma Hwi Young - a seemingly perfect student who battles with depression internally. The fateful encounter of these three sets the stage for a wonderful story blending friendship, family, and love.

The series A Love So Beautiful is adapted from the youth novel of the same name by Zhao Qian Qian, telling the story of the clumsy girl Tran Tieu Hy and the arrogant and cunning boy Jiang Chen, from childhood friends to losing each other and then finding each other again in life.

Although Jiang Chen, a perfect boy in appearance and education, is cold and always rejects, Tieu Hy still tries every way to attract attention from him. In the end, even the cold Jiang Chen had to be moved by Tieu Hy's cuteness and mischief.

However, the young couple's love has not yet tasted enough sweetness when storms come. Three years later, Jiang Chen returns. Tieu Hy's father is injured at this time, coincidentally lying in the hospital where Jiang Chen works, so the two meet again. From here, they continue to write their unfinished love story together.

True Beauty revolves around the main character Im Joo Kyung. She is a high school girl with an average appearance and always feels insecure about her face. However, since discovering her makeup talent, Joo Kyung transforms into a beautiful and famous hot girl on social media. This leads to countless hilarious troubles as she tries to hide her true face while maintaining a glamorous image in front of everyone.

At the same time, two 'flower boys' get entangled in a love triangle with Joo Kyung. On one side is Lee Suho, the son of a famous actor who hides himself under the guise of a model student at school. On the other side is Han Seo Joon, a bold and unconventional male model. The film stars Moon Ga-young, Cha Eun-woo, Hwang In-yeop, and Park Yoo-na.

The series carries a meaningful message that each of us has our own beauty and we should be confident about it. Outer beauty is easy to obtain, but inner beauty is what makes that outer beauty shine even brighter.

Unrequited Love is one of the three stories in the highly acclaimed Chasing the Light series by author Bat Nguyet Truong An, which includes: Scene Scene - Du Hoai, Prosperous Hoai Nam - Lost Chi, and Lam Duong - Du Chau Chau.

The film revolves around the unrequited love of high school girl Lac Chi for her schoolmate Thinh Hoai Nam over the course of three years of high school. However, Lac Chi, who is naturally shy and timid, does not dare to confess her feelings even though she desperately wants her crush to know her heart.

The one-sided, secretive, and complex affection creates ripples in the lives of a gentle student and her handsome classmate. Despite being close throughout those youthful years, their once strong friendship gradually fades away. Each has their own goals, yet in Lac Chi's heart, the image of her old friend still lingers.

Unrequited Love is a film not to be missed for its deeply introspective scenes, excellently portrayed by the main actress Chu Nhan Man Tu, and the protagonist Lac Chi, who breaks away from the typical character trope seen in youth dramas.

Summer of Our Love is a South Korean television series directed by Kim Yoon Jin, featuring a star-studded cast including Choi Woo-sik, Kim Da-mi, Kim Sung Chul, Roh Jeong Eui. The series revolves around a couple who were once high school classmates and lovers but decided to break up over a single remark, swearing never to see each other again. However, fate brings them back together once more.

Although it falls under the youth romance genre, Summer of Our Love brings a fresh perspective. The main couple, Choi Woong and Kook Yeon Soo, not only mend their past relationship in a scene set more than 10 years ago but also have the opportunity to express their feelings for each other. They officially start their romantic relationship in college only to part ways in agony, and ultimately reunite after 10 years, which is the highlight of this South Korean romantic drama series.

First Love Innocence - A Little Thing Called First Love is a work based on the famous Thai school movie in 2009 - ' Crazy Little Thing Called Love' starring Mario Maurer and Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul. The film revolves around the girl Hạ Miểu Miểu, an ugly and insecure schoolgirl who gradually becomes introverted. One day, she meets the charming senior student Lương Hạo Niên, who immediately captures her heart. From the beginning, Miểu Miểu has a deep impression of her senior, but because she is not perfect herself, she never dares to think she can win Hạo Niên's heart. She only sees him as a senior, a close friend sharing joy and sorrow.

However, Hạo Niên's wholeheartedness and openness gradually help Miểu Miểu become confident, diligent in her studies, and more beautiful. Love gives her the strength to be happy every day, to share her emotions and thoughts, and soon they fall in love without even realizing it. Pure, gentle, and romantic, a love story between a Cinderella and a Prince Charming in real life finally becomes beautiful. However, they have to part ways, leaving behind unforgettable memories.

The Sweet Lemonade is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by renowned writer Tử Tiểu Thất, telling the sweet and bitter love story between speed skater Đường Tuyết (Ngo Thien) and ice hockey prince Lê Ngữ Băng (Trương Tân Thành).

Đường Tuyết and Lê Ngữ Băng are childhood friends, classmates throughout elementary school years, but their contrasting personalities always lead to arguments, quarrels, and childish grudges. In elementary school, timid Lê Ngữ Băng is always bullied by the class bully Đường Tuyết, and the only thing they have in common is their shared dream of skating.

Unexpected Encounter - Extraordinary You is a South Korean television series produced in 2019, starring Kim Hye-yoon, Rowoon, Lee Jae-wook, Lee Na-eun, Jung Gun-joo, Kim Young-dae, and Lee Tae-ri. The series is based on a webtoon first published in January 2018 on Daum Webtoon.

The story revolves around Eun Dan Oh (Kim Hye Yoon), a student suffering from a heart condition at a prestigious academy. One day, she accidentally discovers that she and everyone else in her world are actually characters in a comic book called Secret. To make matters worse, Dan Oh is just a supporting character in this story and is expected to die early due to the heart condition assigned to her by the author.

Furthermore, she is engaged to Baek Kyung (Lee Jae Wook), someone whom Dan Oh doesn't even have feelings for. Determined not to succumb to fate, she decides to change her life with the help of a mysterious student later named Haru (Rowoon).

Just as Adorable - Lovely Us is a school drama starring Dien Hi Vi and Ly Minh Duc that caused a sensation in 2020. The series attracted viewers with its familiar storyline but remarkable chemistry among the cast. It takes viewers back to the countryside of childhood, with beautiful friendships among neighbors and innocent teenage romance.

Despite its modest budget, the series captivated audiences and became one of the must-watch youth dramas of 2020, blending humor with sweetness. Just as Adorable - Lovely Us also helped raise Dien Hi Vi's profile, paving the way for her later success with 'Everyday Birthday' - a highly popular series in the latter half of 2022, co-starring Bach Kinh Dinh.

If everyday life leaves you exhausted and in need of some healing, Just as Adorable - Lovely Us is the perfect show for you. Each episode is uplifting, humorous, and filled with humanity, portraying the love between parents and children, the bonds of the community, and the beauty of friendship. It's a series that will make you cherish life at every turn!

Weightlifting Fairy is a South Korean television series starring Lee Sung-kyung and Nam Joo-hyuk. It's a coming-of-age sports drama inspired by Olympic gold medalist weightlifter Jang Mi-ran.

Kim Bok Joo, the weightlifting fairy, features a stunning cast despite the vast difference in appearance from real-life athletes. It's peculiar to see Bok Joo always wearing multiple layers of clothing, which is because the actress is petite compared to the character, so she has to wear lots of layers. The life of athletes in South Korea is vividly portrayed, from the weightlifting team always occupying the front seats in class to the heavy tasks at the training ground, the somewhat unfriendly relationships within the sports team, and the pressure to gain or lose weight for competitions. The romance is gentle and endearing, infused with the charm of student life.

It would be a mistake not to mention the very popular Chinese school drama of 2021. Secrets In The Shadows not only portrays friendships and budding teenage love but also carries the message of dreams for each character. Adapted from the novel of the same name by author Dong Tu Tu, it's both sweet, humorous, and incredibly touching, guaranteed not to disappoint.

The protagonist, Ding Tian, used to be an average student, but with supportive friends, family, and the appearance of the shining star in her life, Chu Tu Viet, she realizes her dreams and pursues her passions. Although initially timid and insecure, once she discovers her aspirations, she wholeheartedly pursues them. She's also quite principled; upon realizing her feelings, she's willing to spend an extra year studying to attend the same university as her love interest, Chu Tu Viet.

The cast of Secrets In The Shadows consists of relatively new faces at the time of the show's airing, but their performances are incredibly natural, exuding the essence of youth in every scene. The study scenes and the lively atmosphere during university entrance exam preparation are vividly depicted, making it a must-watch for anyone in need of academic motivation!

Despite having been on air for a while, Youth Well Spent - When We Were Young remains a school drama you shouldn't miss. After watching, many viewers praised Hao Min (Hua Bao) as the ultimate crush: smart, filial, handsome, and very understanding. The series doesn't solely focus on the love line between the main characters but also successfully depicts the lives of five different characters. Among them are those with unhappy family situations, those who are unhappy because they can't pursue their dreams, and those facing various difficulties. However, what they all share is the determination to overcome adversity, and each character plays a unique role in the story, with none being redundant.

Youth Well Spent - When We Were Young ends with an open conclusion, leaving many viewers wondering if the main characters will meet again in college. The director has hinted at a possible sequel, but as of now, there's no further information. Nevertheless, this series is definitely worth your valuable time!