Russian news website Lenta.ru published a guide on September 9, 2026, ranking the top 20 South Korean high school television series.
The selection compiled by writer Mikhail Aksenov highlights popular youth productions ranging from lighthearted romantic comedies to dark psychological and crime thrillers.
South Korean television dramas, often called k-dramas, have gained a broad global audience among teenagers and young adults. Running for one or two short seasons, these series typically explore themes of first love, friendship, and personal values, while also addressing serious social pressures, corruption, and school bullying.
School Club Rivalries and Secret Identities
The 2015 series Cheer Up!, released natively under the title Balchikhage Gogo, centers on the competitive atmosphere at Sewit elite school. Directed across a single 12-episode season, the story follows the conflict between two student organizations: street dance club Real King, composed of low-performing students, and elite honor student club White Tiger. To improve the institution's reputation, administrators merge the rivals into a single cheerleading squad. The show holds an 8.0 rating on Kinopoisk and a 7.3 rating on IMDb. It stars Jung Eun-ji, Lee Won-keun, Chae Soo-bin, Ji Soo, and Cha Hak-yeon, with streaming offered on Kinopoisk, Okko, Wink, and Ivi.
Adapted from the Japanese manga Hana-Kimi, the 2012 romantic comedy To the Beautiful You (Areumdawun Geodaeege) spans 16 episodes in one season. Sulli plays Goo Jae-hee, a Korean girl living in the United States who is in love with high jump athlete Kang Tae-joon, played by Minho. After Tae-joon suffers a severe injury that threatens his career, Jae-hee moves to Korea and cuts her hair to enter his all-boys boarding school disguised as a male student. She unexpectedly becomes his roommate. The series carries ratings of 7.7 on Kinopoisk and 7.2 on IMDb, co-starring Lee Hyun-woo, Kim Woo-bin, Ki Tae-young, and Julian Kang, though it is not available on official online platforms.
Extracurricular (Ingansueop), a 10-episode crime thriller released on Netflix in 2020, presents a darker narrative about students turning to illegal activities. Kim Dong-hee stars as Oh Ji-soo, a quiet student who secretly runs an underground sex work service to pay for his living costs and education. Classmates Bae Gyu-ri (Park Ju-hyun), Seo Min-hee (Jung Da-bin), and Kwak Ki-tae (Nam Yoon-su) discover his business and demand to join, forcing the group to navigate threats from police and local gangs. The project holds a 7.5 Kinopoisk rating and a 7.6 IMDb score, featuring Choi Min-soo in the cast.
Based on a popular webtoon, the 2020-2021 series True Beauty (Yeoshingangrim) runs for 16 episodes. Moon Ga-young portrays Lim Ju-kyung, a high school student targeted by bullies over her physical appearance. After moving to a new school, Ju-kyung masters makeup application to transform her look, drawing romantic attention from top student Lee Su-ho (Cha Eun-woo) and rebel Han Seo-jun (Hwang In-youp). Rated 8.3 on Kinopoisk and 7.9 on IMDb, the series features Park Yoo-na and streams on Kinopoisk, Kion, Okko, Wink, and Ivi.
Legal Mysteries and Music Collaborations
How to Buy a Friend (Gyeyakujeong), released in 2020, is a four-episode drama thriller based on a bargain between two students. Shin Seung-ho plays Heo Don-hyeok, a skilled fighter who enters juvenile detention following his girlfriend's suicide and returns to school seeking answers. He notices a poem written by ordinary student Park Chan-hong, played by Lee Shin-young, containing clues about the tragedy. Don-hyeok offers to shield Chan-hong from bullies if Chan-hong assists the investigation. Featuring Kim So-hye and Oh Hee-joon, it holds ratings of 7.4 on Kinopoisk and 7.0 on IMDb, streaming on Kinopoisk, Okko, and Ivi.
The 2019 legal thriller Class of Lies (Miseuteo Giganje) runs for 16 episodes, focusing on school violence and executive corruption. Yoon Kyun-sang stars as Ki Moo-hyeok, a money-driven lawyer assigned to defend student Kim Han-soo (Jang Dong-joo) after a female classmate is stabbed. When Han-soo refuses to plead guilty and falls into a coma, Moo-hyeok loses his license and enters the elite private school under a fake name as a teacher to uncover the truth. The series holds a 7.8 rating on Kinopoisk and 7.7 on IMDb, co-starring Keum Sae-rok, Lee Jun-young, Choi Yu-hwa, and Choi Gyu-jin, with streaming on Kinopoisk, Okko, Start, and Ivi.
Adapted from Aoki Kotomi's manga, the 2017 series The Liar and His Lover (Geunyeoneun Geojitmaleul Neomu Saranghae) spans 16 episodes. Lee Hyun-woo plays Kang Han-gyeol, a disillusioned former band member working secretly as producer K. Han-gyeol recovers his musical passion after meeting high schooler Yoon So-rim, played by Joy, whose singing voice inspires him while she falls in love without knowing his identity. The show holds a 7.4 Kinopoisk score and a 6.8 IMDb rating, featuring Choi Min-soo, Lee Jung-jin, and Lim Ye-jin, streaming on Kinopoisk, Wink, and Okko.
Page Turner (Peiji Teoneo), a three-episode 2016 production, follows three teenagers rebuilding their lives after traumatic accidents. Kim So-hyun plays Yoon Yoo-seul, a top pianist who loses her sight in a car crash. Ji Soo plays Jung Cha-sik, an athlete forced to quit pole vaulting due to a spinal injury who transfers to study music. Shin Jae-ha plays former rival Seo Jin-mok, who repents his past hostility and becomes Yoo-seul's page turner. Carrying an 8.1 rating on Kinopoisk and 7.7 on IMDb, the show co-stars Ye Ji-won and streams on Kinopoisk, Okko, and Ivi.
Wealthy Enclaves and Undercover Mothers
The 2009 romantic comedy Boys Over Flowers (Kkotboda Namja) runs for 25 episodes as a classic Cinderella story. Ku Hye-sun plays Geum Jan-di, a working-class girl attending an elite school who confronts the F4 group of wealthy heirs. Group leader Gu Jun-pyo, portrayed by Lee Min-ho, falls in love with her after she challenges his authority. Holding ratings of 8.2 on Kinopoisk and 7.7 on IMDb, the series co-stars Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum, and Kim Joon, streaming on Kinopoisk, Okko, Wink, and Ivi.
Angry Mom (Aenggeurimam), a 16-episode series from 2015, tackles institutional corruption and bullying. Kim Hee-sun plays Jo Kang-ja, a former Busan delinquent turned housewife who learns her daughter Oh Ah-ran (Kim Yoo-jung) is being abused at school. Facing inaction from police and administrators, Kang-ja enrolls at the school as student Jo Bang-wool to confront the perpetrators directly. With ratings of 7.8 on Kinopoisk and 7.4 on IMDb, the cast includes Ji Hyun-woo, Ko Soo-hee, and Kim Ji-young, available on Kinopoisk, Okko, Wink, and Ivi.
My Strange Hero (Boksuga Dorawatda), released across 2018 and 2019 in 16 episodes, centers on revenge and forgiveness. Yoo Seung-ho plays Kang Bok-soo, who was falsely expelled nine years earlier following statements by his girlfriend Son Soo-jung (Cho Bo-a) and friend Oh Se-ho (Kwak Dong-yeon). Returning to the school years later, Bok-soo discovers Soo-jung works there as a teacher and Se-ho heads the school board. Rated 7.8 on Kinopoisk and 7.4 on IMDb, it co-stars Chun Ho-jin and Kim Mi-kyung, streaming on Kinopoisk and Okko.
The 2013 drama The Heirs (Wanggwaneul Sseuryeoneun Ja, Geu Mugereul Gyeondyeora) spans 16 episodes focusing on wealthy high schoolers. Park Shin-hye stars as Cha Eun-sang, a student living with her deaf-mute mother who meets corporate heirs Kim Tan (Lee Min-ho) and Choi Young-do (Kim Woo-bin) in the United States. Upon returning to Korea, Eun-sang learns her mother works for Kim Tan's family. Carrying an 8.1 Kinopoisk rating and 7.5 IMDb score, it co-stars Krystal Jung and Kim Ji-won, streaming on Kinopoisk, Okko, Wink, and Ivi.
Performing Arts and Workplace Comedies
Dream High, a 32-episode musical drama broadcast over two seasons in 2011 and 2012, follows aspiring performers at Kirin Arts High School. Bae Suzy stars as opera hopeful Go Hye-mi, who enters the school due to her father's debts and recruits country student Song Sam-dong (Kim Soo-hyun) and dancer Jin-guk (Ok Taec-yeon). The story tracks their rivalries with former friend Yoon Baek-hee (Ham Eun-jung), foreign student Jason (Jang Wooyoung), and Kim Pil-sook (Lee Ji-eun). Rated 8.3 on Kinopoisk and 7.6 on IMDb, it streams on Kinopoisk, Okko, Wink, and Ivi.
The 2015 romantic comedy She Was Pretty (Geunyeoneun Yeppeotda) runs for 16 episodes, focusing on 30-year-old intern Kim Hye-jin, played by Hwang Jung-eum. Having lost her family fortune and physical confidence, Hye-jin avoids meeting her successful childhood friend Ji Sung-joon (Park Seo-joon) by sending her stylish friend Min Ha-ri (Go Joon-hee) instead, only to discover Sung-joon is her new magazine editor. Holding ratings of 7.8 on Kinopoisk and 7.5 on IMDb, the series features Choi Si-won and streams on Kinopoisk, Okko, Wink, and Ivi.
Weak Hero Class 1 (Yakhanyeongung), an action series broadcast between 2022 and 2025 across 16 episodes, follows academic student Yeon Si-eun, played by Park Ji-hoon. Lacking physical strength, Si-eun uses analytical skills and tools to counter school bullies, forming an alliance with athlete Ahn Soo-ho (Choi Hyun-wook) and newcomer Oh Beom-seok (Hong Kyung). Rated 8.4 on both Kinopoisk and IMDb, the show co-stars Kim Su-gyeom and Lee Yeon, streaming on Kinopoisk, Okko, Kion, and Ivi.
The 2016 college series Cheese in the Trap (Chijeu In Deo Teuraep) comprises 16 episodes and one special episode. Kim Go-eun plays hardworking student Hong Seol, who juggles part-time jobs and takes an academic leave after feeling suspicious of wealthy senior student Yoo Jung (Park Hae-jin). When she returns, Yoo Jung pursues a relationship while she questions his hidden motives. Carrying a 7.5 rating on Kinopoisk and 7.2 on IMDb, the cast features Seo Kang-joon and Lee Sung-kyung, streaming on Kinopoisk, Okko, Wink, and Ivi.
Athletics Fantasy and High School Franchises
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (Yeokdoyojeong Gim Bokju), a 20-episode sports drama broadcast in 2016 and 2017, stars Lee Sung-kyung as weightlifter Kim Bok-joo. The story follows her athletic ambitions and her crush on nutritionist Jung Jae-yi (Lee Jae-yoon), while Jae-yi's brother Jung Joon-hyung (Nam Joo-hyuk) develops romantic feelings for her. Rated 8.3 on both Kinopoisk and IMDb, the show features Kyung Soo-jin and Lee Joo-young, streaming on Kinopoisk, Okko, Wink, and Ivi.
The 2019 fantasy series Extraordinary You (Eojjeoda Balgyeonhan Haru) runs for 16 episodes. Kim Hye-yoon plays Eun Dan-oh, a wealthy student with a heart condition who experiences memory gaps and realizes she is a minor character in a comic book titled Secret. Dan-oh decides to alter her written destiny and pursue her own path. Holding ratings of 7.7 on both Kinopoisk and IMDb, the series co-stars Rowoon, Lee Jae-wook, Kim Young-dae, and Jung Gun-joo, streaming on Kinopoisk, Okko, Wink, and Ivi.
Moorim School (Murimhakgyo), a 16-episode series from 2016, takes place at a hidden martial arts academy in a forest. Lee Hyun-woo plays pop idol Yoon Shi-woo, who hides his hearing loss, while Hongbin plays corporate heir Wang Chi-ang. The roommates become rivals over classmate Shim Soon-deok (Seo Yea-ji) while unravelling secrets surrounding a wish-granting artifact called Chintamani. With ratings of 7.8 on Kinopoisk and 6.8 on IMDb, it features Shin Hyun-joo and Jung Yoo-jin, streaming on Kinopoisk, Okko, Kion, and Ivi.
School 2017 (Hakgyo 2017), a 16-episode series released in 2017, forms part of the long-running KBS franchise established in 1999. Kim Se-jeong plays aspiring webtoon artist Ra Eun-ho, who is falsely accused of being Student X, a masked figure disrupting school examinations. Eun-ho investigates the campus to identify the real culprit and clear her name. Rated 7.7 on Kinopoisk and 7.5 on IMDb, the series co-stars Kim Jung-hyun, Jang Dong-yoon, Seol In-ah, Han Joo-wan, and Rowoon, streaming on Kinopoisk, Wink, and Ivi.
