8 New High School K-dramas to Watch in 2025
Korean dramas are never short on story themes, particularly those set in schools. These dramas often revolve around school life, featuring romantic plots, but they also explore themes of friendship, coming-of-age, crime, horror, and survival.
School-themed dramas frequently tackle important issues within the school environment, such as bullying, flaws in the school system, and school violence. Interested in watching Korean dramas set in schools? Showpoiler has compiled a list of the latest school-themed South Korean dramas for you.
1. Hierarchy
| Year | 2024 |
| Genre | Drama, Mystery, Romance |
| Director | Bae Hyun Jin |
| Cast | Roh Jeong Eui Lee Chae Min Kim Jae Won Ji Hye Won Lee Won Jung |
Jooshin High School in South Korea is famous for being the most prestigious school. Established by the Jooshin Group conglomerate, it traditionally only admits students who come from wealthy backgrounds.
Among the students are Jeong Jae Yi, daughter of the Jaeyool Group family; Kim Ri An, heir to the Jooshin Group; Yoon He Ra, the youngest daughter of International Yoon; and Lee Woo Jin, the second son of a powerful political family in South Korea.
However, one student captures everyone's attention: Kang Ha, a new transfer student. With his innocent smile, he conceals a secret. His arrival starts to stir things up at Jooshin High School, as he seems determined to avenge his twin brother's murder and uncover the truth.
The setup of Hierarchy may remind you of the Spanish teen series Elite, though it skips the erotic scenes. This drama highlights the profound influence of money and power on people's lives. It might sound cliché, but those who enjoy a good mystery will likely find it interesting.
2. High School Return of a Gangster
| Year | 2024 |
| Genre | Drama, Fantasy, Teen |
| Director | Lee Seong Taek |
| Cast | Yoon Chan Young Bong Jae Hyun Lee Seo Jin |
A 47-year-old gangster named Kim Deuk Pal (Lee Seo Jin) had always dreamed of getting an education as a teenager but never achieved it because his parents were very poor.
One day, his spirit unexpectedly leaves his body and possesses a high school student named Song Yi Heon (Yoon Chan Young), who is about to commit suicide.
Once he possessed Yi Heon's body, Deuk Pal discovers that Yi Heon has been severely bullied by his high school friends. Unwilling to accept this, Deuk Pal decides to confront the bullies. Feeling sympathy for Yi Heon, Deuk Pal takes it upon himself to punish everyone who has ever tormented him.
While at school, in Yi Heon's body, Deuk Pal befriends Choi Se Kyung (Bong Jae Hyun). Se Kyung seems to have a perfect life, but it turns out that he also suffers from domestic violence at home by his father. Knowing this, Deuk Pal wants to help Se Kyung before his spirit returns to his original body.
3. Begins Youth
| Year | 2024 |
| Genre | Drama, Friendship |
| Director | Kim Jae Hong |
| Cast | Seo Ji Hoon Noh Jong Hyun Ahn Ji Ho Seo Young Joo |
The television series "Begins Youth" follows the story of a high school teenager named Kim Hwan (Seo Ji Hoon). He is the son of politician Kim Chang Jun (Jung Sung Il) and must return to his home town of Seonju-Si. Kim Hwan is unhappy with this as he has no friends there and feels out of place.
Struggling to adapt, Kim Hwan is enrolled in a local high school where he is initially disliked by many students. However, as time passes, his classmates begin to understand his situation. Although their friendship starts off awkwardly, they grow closer with each passing day.
Kim Hwan soon finds himself no longer lonely, surrounded by friends who become his new family. He discovers that some of them share the same struggles. Together, they face various challenges, including family issues, loss, poverty, abandonment, violence, and rejection.
4. The Chairman is Level 9
| Year | 2024 |
| Genre | Drama, Friendship, Teen |
| Director | Hong Chung Gi |
| Cast | Moon Sung Hyun Kim Shi Kyung Yoon Hyun Suk |
The Chairman is Level 9 is an engaging story that follows Na Yi Soo (Moon Sung Hyun), a young man born into a wealthy and respected family. Despite his privileged upbringing, Yi Soo was not an obedient child and often rebelled against his parents. Na Yi Soo also hates his father who always interferes his personal life.
When his father passed away, Yi Soo inherited all of his assets, including companies and properties, making his life even more challenging. Among these inheritances was Balhae High School, an elite institution attended by South Korea's top students.
Initially, Yi Soo was reluctant to accept everything his father left him. However, over time, his hardened nature began to soften. He gradually transformed into a kind and admirable person, he even ended up having many friends along the way. Outside of school, Yi Soo acts as a great leader, proving himself capable of managing his father's legacy.
5. Lovely Runner
| Year | 2024 |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama, Romance |
| Director | Kim Tae Yeob, Yoon Jong Ho |
| Cast | Byeon Woo Seok Kim Hye Yoon Song Geon Hee Lee Seung Hyub |
"Lovely Runner" is a South Korean television series produced by CJ ENT, starring Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon. Based on Kim Bbang's novel "The Best of Tomorrow," the series tells the story of a girl's struggle to save her life.
The protagonist, Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon), is a girl with many goals, but her ambitions are thwarted by an accident. In the midst of her difficulties, she encounters a top star, Ryu Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok), who revives her spirit and motivation.
However, not long after becoming a big fan, Ryu Sun Jae is reportedly killed, leaving Im Sol devastated once again.
In the midst of her sadness, she suddenly wakes up in another time, where she and Ryu Sun Jae are 15 years old again and attending the same school. Determined to save Sun Jae, Im Sol makes every effort to keep Sun Jae alive and protect him.
6. Jazz for Two
| Year | 2021 |
| Genre | Drama, Music, Romance |
| Director | Kang Hye Rim, Song Soo Rim |
| Cast | Ji Ho Geun Kim Jin Kwon Song Han Gyeom |
Based on the webtoon by Keul Ra Jyu, the television series "Jazz for Two" follows Han Tae Yi (Ji Ho Geun) as he navigates life after losing his older brother. While struggling with grief, he meets a transfer student named Yoon Se Heon (Kim Ji Kwon).
Yoon Se Heon is a talented pianist, much like Tae Yi's late brother, which constantly reminds him of his loss and makes him uneasy. Despite trying to avoid him, Se Heon always seems to be nearby. The turning point comes when their teacher pairs them up to perform a song for an assignment.
This forces them to spend more time together practicing, and slowly, they start having complex feelings for each other. Just as their relationship begins to grow, their senior, Song Joo Ha (Kim Jung Ha), steps in and disrupts everything. Determined not to lose someone hee loves again, Tae Yi fights to hold on to Se Heon.
7. Pyramid Game
| Year | 2024 |
| Genre | Action, Drama, Thriller |
| Director | Park So Yeon |
| Cast | Bona Jang Da A Ryu Da In Kang Na Eon |
When word got out that Jang Won Young's sister, Jang Da A, might join the cast of a drama, fans got really excited. And yes, she did end up taking a role in the TVING drama alongside other young actresses like Bona, Ryu Da In, and Kang Na Eon.
"Pyramid Game" is set in Baekyeon Girls High School in Seoul. It's about a game that happens once a month where students vote for the most popular among them. However, students who get an "F" grade in this popularity contest end up being bullied.
As a new student, Sung Soo Ji (Bona) thought her school would be normal. Her class, 2-5, seems peaceful but a bit odd. Things change when they join the Pyramid Game and Soo Ji sees her classmates' true colors.
After the game, Soo Ji doesn't get any votes, making her the next bullying target. Despite this, she bravely decides to try and put an end to this cruel game in her own way.
8. Love for Love's Sake
| Year | 2024 |
| Genre | Fantasy, Romance |
| Director | Kim Kyun Ah |
| Cast | Lee Tae Vin Cha Joo Wan Oh Min Su Cha Woong Ki |
Tae Myung Ha's suddenly changes when he's pulled into the world of online gaming. Here, he receives a challenging mission: improve the life of Cha Yeo Woon, a 19-year-old who is both handsome and athletic.
In the game, Myung Ha faces a tough task. Despite his exceptional running skills, Yeo Woon's life is complicated. Behind his cheerful facade, he's been bullied and an injury has stopped him from running.
Myung Ha has 365 days to win Yeo Woon's favor. If he fails, he faces deadly consequences. Will he succeed in his mission?
This eight-episode drama, based on the "Love Supremacy Zone" Webtoon, features extensive character development and a captivating fantasy storyline. Plus, it gives a touch of romance among men, making it a great pick for fans of BL (Boys' Love) stories.