5 Best K-Dramas About School With a Score of 8.0 and Higher on IMDb

South Korean dramas have long captured the hearts of viewers worldwide, and school stories, in particular, hold a special place among them.

They have a unique ability to address first love, friendship, betrayal, and societal pressure, allowing even those far removed from Asian culture to see themselves reflected in the storylines.

5. 'The Glory', 2022-2023

IMDb Score: 8.2/10

Moon Dong-eun endured brutal bullying and abuse at the hands of her wealthy classmates in school. Years later, she reenters their lives with a meticulously crafted plan for revenge.

She becomes the teacher of her tormentor's daughter and systematically dismantles the lives of those who wronged her.

The Glory is a show worth recommending even to those who usually avoid K-dramas – it's a tense, well-written series with no filler characters or drawn-out episodes.

4. 'Study Group', 2025

IMDb Score: 8.2/10

Yoon Ga-min, a high school student, is down on his luck. Despite his hard work and diligence, he struggles to get good grades, even though his dream is to go to college. After transferring to a new school, he learns that a group of bullies is terrorizing the students.

Ga-min finds like-minded peers and forms a study group to tackle homework and exam preparation together. At the same time, he finds himself protecting his classmates from the bullies.

Though he looks like an ordinary nerd, Ga-min is actually a skilled martial artist who won't let anyone get pushed around.

3. 'Weak Hero Class 1', 2022-...

IMDb Score: 8.4/10

Yeon Si-eun, a diligent student, appears to be the weakest in a class full of troubled teens. One day, however, Si-eun decides to fight back against his tormentors. To do so, he relies on his intellect, finding ways to turn his opponents' strengths against them.

The drama is packed with action, and the numerous fight scenes are shot spectacularly, highlighting Si-eun's ability to analyze situations and capitalize on any advantage.

Although he struggles to withstand physical blows, he knows exactly when to strike first or when to wear his opponent down. He can turn any nearby object into a weapon, fending off an attacker with a backpack or calculating the precise angle at which to throw a stone at an enemy.

2. 'Lovely Runner', 2024

IMDb Score: 8.5/10

Im Sol is a devoted fan of the band Eclipse. She has been unable to walk since an accident years ago, yet she refuses to give up hope, finding strength in her favorite group's songs.

When tragedy strikes her idol, lead singer Sun-jae, she is given a chance to save him. She travels back in time twenty years and finds herself in high school with him.

While the story may seem like a lighthearted tale of a fan's love for an idol, it runs much deeper. Im Sol isn't just saving a beloved singer, she is saving the person whose music has sustained her through life's darkest moments.

1. 'Twinkling Watermelon', 2023

IMDb Score: 8.8/10

Eun-Gyeol was raised by hearing-impaired parents, though he is not hearing-impaired himself. From childhood, he acted as a bridge between his family and the outside world, striving to make his parents proud.

However, in order to do so, he had to give up his dream of becoming a musician. One day, he wanders into a mysterious music shop that transports him 28 years into the past, to 1995.

There, he meets his parents in high school and gets the chance to make his dreams come true.