For many, it’s that time of year when the transition from high school seniors to college freshmen occurs. On the cusp of adulthood, the first step into college life brings with it many adventures. It’s a step toward dreams and hopes for the future, and can bring with it new friendships, the first brush with love, and the allure of the unknown as you face the challenges that lie ahead.
College life can be as exciting as it is intimidating, so here are six K-dramas that can help you get into the swing of things, giving a taste of what college life was like for some of these drama characters.
“Cheese in the Trap”
Hong Seol (Kim Go Eun) comes from a humble family. She is a bright student who works hard at home and at university to keep up with her grades. However, her structured life becomes complicated when Yoo Jung (Park Hae Jin) decides to focus his attention on her. Yoo Jung has money and is an extremely mysterious young man. He can be affectionate one moment and cold as steel the next. He is brilliant at what he does and is also popular, but can be domineering. Her strange ways perplex Hong Seol, who tries to stay away from him. Intrigued by Seol, the arrogant Yoo Jung becomes attracted to her and cares about her. But he has his own ways of showing her concern, which can become quite overwhelming for the one on the receiving end, as well as the one on the receiving end of her anger. Seol, who comes from a sheltered background, realizes that Yoo Jung suffers from psychological problems. A tender friendship and relationship emerges between the two, but can they overcome their emotional burden?
“Cheese in the Trap” is a character-driven drama, and although it gets a little complicated by interweaving a love story with a psychological thriller, it doesn’t disappoint at all. The drama, which has many followers, stands out for the performances of its two protagonists, whose chemistry is endearing despite the complexity of their situation.
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“Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo”
Weightlifting champion Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) trains hard, loves hanging out with her friends, and loves eating. She’s very comfortable in her skin and doesn’t worry about her weight or her short bangs. But things change when she falls in love with a doctor, who is the older brother of her friend Joon Hyung (Nam Joo Hyuk). Joon Hyung is a swimming prodigy and has feelings for Bok Joo that date back to their days in elementary school. Bok Joo, oblivious to Joon Hyung’s feelings, sets about losing weight, something unthinkable for a weightlifter, and becomes self-conscious about her looks. In Joon Hyung’s eyes, she’s perfect just the way she is, and the romance that develops between the two is charming.
The chemistry between Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk is undeniably amazing. The series also goes beyond being a campus sports romance, and themes like body positivity, self-image, and self-confidence are skillfully woven into the narrative. Who can forget Bok Joo’s “Do You Like Messi?” which became a memorable line?
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“Nevertheless”
Yoo Na Bi (Han So Hee) studies sculpture at an art university. She’s broken up with her overbearing boyfriend and is a little cynical about love. Enter handsome Park Jae Uhn (Song Kang), her classmate, who is the reddest red flag to ever walk on campus. Jae Uhn is a heartthrob who only believes in loving and leaving people. Jae Uhn likes to date, but when it comes to commitment and relationships, he runs away. Na Bi, aware of the kind of person she is, falls in love with him despite all of her reservations. What arises between the two is a dangerous relationship of friends with benefits. They can’t keep their hands off each other as their intensely crazy chemistry is what drives these two, but what about the emotional satisfaction?
“Nevertheless” can be stressful in many ways, because you know these two are headed towards the heartbreak hotel. But despite everything, you can’t help but continue watching the drama unfold.
“My ID is Gangnam Beauty“
Kang Mi Rae (Im Soo Hyang) has always been concerned about her looks and gets surgery to change her appearance. At university, she meets the handsome and popular Do Kyung Suk (Cha Eun Woo). Mi Rae and Kyung Suk went to high school together and although Mi Rae seems to have forgotten her former classmate, he remembers her. Kyung Suk likes her for who she is, and her looks are the least of his concerns. Kyung Suk makes his feelings known, but it is Mi Rae’s own deep-seated insecurities that come to the surface and come between the two.
“My ID is Gangnam Beauty” goes beyond a college romance and significantly addresses unrealistic standards and fixation on beauty. Many people, desperate to be accepted by their peers, may lose their own self-esteem in the attempt. Im Soo Hyang articulates well the anxiety of her character, who was once bullied for her appearance and mocked for changing it. And Cha Eun Woo is charming as the thoughtful Kyung Suk, who tries to instill confidence in the girl he loves.
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“Age of Youth”
Jin Myung (Han Ye Ri), Ye Eun (Han Seung Yeon), Ji Won (Park Eun Bin), Eun Jae (Park Hye Soo), and Yi Na (Ryu Hwayoung) are roommates. Although they share the same roof, their very different personalities cause friction at first, but it soon develops into a deep bond of sisterhood. Each of them has their own problems, be it family, financial, love, or emotional. There are also deep secrets, as each fears being judged by the other and by society.
“Age of Youth” is an agile series that highlights the many facets of the bonds between women. What is engaging throughout the episodes is how each of these girls, who at first can’t stand each other’s gaze, empower and defend each other. The drama will take you back in time and also give you an idea of what life is like in a shared apartment.
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“My Roommate is a Gumiho“
What is university life without a touch of fantasy? Especially if the object of your affections is a mythical being and, by default, is also your university professor. Lee Dam (Hyeri) is a history student who accidentally swallows the account of a 999-year-old gumiho, also known as a mythical nine-tailed fox. The fox in his current form is the handsome Shin Woo Yeo (Jang Ki Yong), who also teaches at Lee Dam’s university. The bead that Lee Dam has swallowed is extremely important to Woo Yeo, because it will help him become a human. To protect her, he makes Lee Dam move into her house. But that’s when the equation gets complicated: is it the account or Lee Dam that she wants to protect? When the two begin to share a house, they face several situations, including love. As Woo Yeo develops feelings for this cheerful twenty-something, Lee Dam is willing to move heaven and earth to be with him.
“My Roommate is a Gumiho” is a romantic comedy with a great comedic streak from Hyeri, which balances the seriousness of Jang Ki Yong. Although the series drags on a bit with the typical tropes, it’s still fun.
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Soompier, what is your favorite college series? Tell us in the comments below!
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