K-dramas aren’t a one-trick pony. While the uninitiated might be more familiar with its lovey-dovey side, Hallyu series can get gritty–and sometimes, unabashedly real.
In the case of darker dramas, school violence (a.k.a. bullying) is a topic known to take some inspiration from real-life cases that have plagued Korean campuses. With that in mind, we’ve compiled below a selection of series that don’t sugarcoat these issues. Caution: Viewer discretion is advised!
LIST: 20 Dark K-Dramas That Tackle School Violence and Bullying
1. The Glory
Where to watch: Netflix
Young architect aspirant Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye Kyo) finds her dreams dashed when she’s targeted by a group of students, afflicting her with great pain that forces her to drop out of school. Years on, Dong-eun is out for her revenge as a school teacher, who discovers that her new student is the child of her former tormentor.
Starring: Song Hye Kyo, Lee Do Hyun, Lim Ji Yeon, Yum Hye Ran, Park Sung Hoon
2. Extracurricular
Where to watch: Netflix
On paper, straight-A high-schooler Oh Ji-soo (Kim Dong Hee) is the model student. But when he finds himself making ends meet for his university tuition, the young student gets pulled into a seedy life of crime with consequences bound to put his life on the line.
Starring: Kim Dong Hee, Park Ju Hyun, Jung Da Bin, Nam Yoon Soo
3. Save Me
When Im Sang-mi (Seo Yea Ji) and her family move to the suburbs of Muji County, strange and dark occurrences start to plague their family. All blame points to the town’s growing threat, a religious cult by the name of Goseonwon, whose past and present are riddled with torture, violence, and murder.
Starring: Ok Taec Yeon, Seo Yea Ji, Jo Sung Ha, Woo Da Hwan
4. Class of Lies
Where to watch: Viu
Money-obsessed lawyer Gi Moo Hyeok (Yoon Kyun Sang) gets an assignment that becomes his biggest challenge yet, as he goes undercover in an elite private school as a substitute teacher. A mystery unravels in its halls when a popular student is found stabbed at her bed, with her classmate spotted at the scene of the crime.
Starring: Yoon Kyun Sang, Keum Sae Rok, Choi Yu Hwa
5. Revenge of Others
Where to watch: Disney+
In the teen revenge thriller, 19-year-old Ok Chan-mi (Shin Ye Eun) is on a one-woman mission to uncover the truth about her twin brother’s death. Meanwhile, another story unfolds with her fellow student Ji Soo-heon (Lomon), whose terminal illness and impending death prompt him to take revenge on the bullies that haunt their school.
Starring: Shin Ye Eun, Lomon
6. The King of Pigs
Kim Dong-Wook, traumatized by school violence two decades ago, conceals his emotions and leads a seemingly content life with his wife. However, an unforeseen event resurfaces his suppressed feelings. Simultaneously, Detective Jung Jong-Suk, prompted by a cryptic message from an old friend, recalls the past school violence. Pursuing the mysterious message, he teams up with Detective Kang Jin-A, a charismatic and dedicated investigator, to prevent further murders.
Starring: Kim Dong Wook, Kim Sung Kyu
7. Who Are You: School 2015
Where to Watch: Netflix, iQIYI, Viki, Viu
Kim So Hyun portrays Go Eun-byul and Lee Eun-bi, identical twins separated at five. Eun-bi, living at Love House orphanage in Tongyeong, conceals bullying at school by a group led by Kang So-young. Meanwhile, Eun-byul, at Sekang High School in Gangnam, remains oblivious to Eun-bi. Best friends with star swimmer Han Yi-an, Eun-byul is secretive and less cheerful than her twin.
Starring: Kim So Hyun, Nam Joo Hyuk, Yook Sung Jae
8. Weak Hero Class 1
Park Ji Hoon portrays Yeon Si-Eun, a high-achieving student leading his school's rankings. Despite a physically unassuming appearance, Si-Eun employs intelligence, tools, and psychology to combat both internal and external violence within his school.
Starring: Park Ji Hoon, Choi Hyun Wook, Hong Kyung, Lee Yeon, Shin Seung Ho
9. D.P.
Where to Watch: Netflix
In the context of mandatory military enlistment in South Korea, D.P. explores bullying within the ranks. Soldier An Joon-Ho is quiet yet unyielding. Recognizing Joon-Ho's tenacity, Sergeant Park Beom-Goo transfers him to the Deserter Pursuit (D.P.) team, where he is assigned to catch deserters. Despite Beom-Goo's gruff exterior, he displays care and insight, while Ho-Yeol's mixed interactions add complexity. First Lieutenant Im Ji-Seob remains indifferent to the D.P. team, solely focused on personal success in the military.
Starring: Jung Hae In, Koo Gyo Hwan, Kim Sung Kyun
10. The Penthouse: War In Life
Where to Watch: Netflix, iQIYI, Viki, Viu, WeTV
The Penthouse: War In Life delves into the opulent lives at Hera Palace and Cheong-ah Arts School, unraveling secrets and conflicts. The acclaimed drama's first season centers on intense bullying as Bae Ro Na clashes with privileged students for art school admission. A dark twist reveals that Min Seol Ah, an orphan tutoring the affluent children, becomes a victim of severe bullying.
Starring: Lee Ji Ah, Uhm Ki Joon, Kim Young Dae, Han Ji Hyun
11. Solomon's Perjury
On Christmas Day, a tragedy unfolds as anelite high school student plummets to his death. Initially deemed a suicide by both the police and the school, the narrative takes a turn when another student asserts having witnessed a murder. The students, gripped by restlessness, opt for self-administered justice. They organize an independent school trial, assigning unique roles to each student as they navigate the unsettling circumstances.
Starring: Kim Hyun Soo, Jang Dong Yoon, Seo Ji Hoon, Seo Young Joo, Cho Jae Hyun
12. Beautiful World
Where to Watch: Netflix
Park Moo-Jin, a high school teacher, and Kang In-Ha, who runs a bakery, lead a content life with their children until school violence leaves their third-grade son severely injured. Determined to uncover the truth, they confront the harrowing reality. In contrast, wealthy couple Oh Jin-Pyo and Seo Eun-Joo, beneficiaries of a private school foundation, shield their troublemaking son from consequences, masking a life untouched by failure or need. The two families navigate contrasting paths, one seeking justice in the face of tragedy, while the other grapples with the consequences of privilege and parental cover-ups.
Starring: Choo Ja Hyun, Park Hee Soon, Nam Da Reum, Kim Hwan Kee, Lee Chung Ah
13. Taxi Driver
Where to Watch: Netflix
Naval Academy graduate Kim Do-Ki, now a deluxe taxi driver, seeks revenge through Rainbow Taxi's unique "revenge-call" service. CEO Jang Sung Chul leads the operation with Do Gi as the driver. The narrative intensifies when Deluxe Taxi takes on a case involving relentless bullying at Sejeong High School. Disabled by the bullies, student Park Jung Min seeks justice, prompting Do Ki and hacker Go Eun to go undercover. Together, they devise a plan to expose the influential perpetrators, notably Park Seung Tae, in a gripping exploration of bullying and revenge.
Starring: Lee Je Hoon, Esom
14. How to Buy a Friend
Where to Watch: Viki
High school fighter Don Hyuk faces rumors and juvenile detention after his girlfriend's suicide. Traumatized and quick to fight over her name, he encounters a poem by average student Chan Hong upon his return to school. Discovering a clue about his girlfriend's death, Don Hyuk proposes a deal: He'll be Chan Hong's bodyguard in exchange for investigative help, leading them to unravel the truth behind the suicide.
Starring: Lee Shin Young, Shin Seung Ho, Kim So Hye
15. School 2013
Where to Watch: Viki, Viu
Seungri High School, ranking among Seoul's lowest academically, readies presentations for its new students. In the struggling Class 2, Nam-Soon assumes the role of class president, backed by Jung-Ho, a school gang member. Seeking improvement, the school hires top Korean language teacher Se-Chan. However, Nam-Soon is left embarrassed when Se-Chan appears during the school's opening presentation, introducing a dynamic shift in the academic dynamics at Seungri High.
Starring: Lee Jong Suk, Kim Woo Bin, Choi Daniel, Jang Na Ra, Park Se Young, Kwak Jung Wook
16. Pyramid Game
Where to watch: Viu
At Baekyeon Girls' High, a monthly popularity poll dictates the social hierarchy. Newcomer Sung Su Ji scores a zero, becoming a target of school violence. Starting at the bottom, she strives to climb to the top or possibly overturn the system.
Starring: Bona, Jang Da A, Ryu Da In, Kang Na Eon
17. Hierarchy
Where to watch: Netflix
Jooshin High School, founded by the Jooshin Group, admits only select students, including heirs Jeong Jae Yi, Kim Ri An, Yoon He Ra, and Lee Woo Jin. When transfer student Kang Ha arrives with a hidden secret, he disrupts the rigid hierarchy of the prestigious school.
Starring: Roh Jeong Eui, Lee Chae Min, Kim Jae Won, Ji Hye Won, Lee Won Jung
18. Boyhood
Set in the 1980s, Boyhood follows Jang Byung Tae, a frail student from Onyang, South Chungcheong. Struggling at the bottom of his school's social ladder, he transfers to Buyeo Agricultural High School, where an event transforms his life.
Starring: Yim Si Wan, Lee Sun Bin, Kang Hye Won, Lee Shi Woo
19. Dokgo Rewind
Set one year before "Dokgo," the story follows Kang Hyuk and his mischievous friends as they meet Kim Gyu Soon and decide to protect his sister. Their efforts lead to confrontations with high school delinquent gangs.
Starring: Oh Se Hun, Kang Mi Na, Cho Byeong Ku, Ahn Bo Hyun
20. All of Us Are Dead
Where to watch: Netflix
A virus outbreak at Hyosan High School turns the infected into zombies. Students, including childhood friends Nam On-Jo and Lee Cheong-San, must fight for survival while seeking escape.
Starring: Park Ji Hu, Yoon Chan Young, Lomon, Cho Yi Hyun
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