K-Dramas have an unique knack for portraying the woes and joys of growing up with dreams, friendship, and self-discovery. From falling in love to pursuing one’s dreams, these dramas give life to characters that feel real yet inspiring.
Here are some of the must-watch coming-of-age K-Dramas that portray self-discovery, friendship, and the heart to take a leap of faith.
Twinkling Watermelon
‘Twinkling Watermelon’ is a special story of a young CODA (child of deaf adults) lad who loves music. He wants to be a guitarist for a band, but his father is not aware of his dreams, causing a major fall-out between the two.
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Then the boy goes back to 1995 and encounters his father as a teenager. With some suspicious but gifted youngsters, he creates a band by the name of Watermelon Sugar. With music, they form an intimate bond.
Fight for My Way
‘Fight for My Way’ is all about underdogs who never lose hope on their dreams. The drama tracks Ko Dong-man (Park Seo-joon) and Choi Ae-ra (Kim Ji-won), two childhood friends who are still trying to figure life as adults. Both of them are undertrained for the professions they desire, but they work hard to leave their imprint.
Though their childish behavior persists, their friendship gradually blossoms into a sweet romance.
At a Distance, Spring is Green
This drama delves into the intricacies of university life and captures the life of Yeo Jun (Park Ji-hoon), who is the quintessential perfect freshman at Myeongil University. Dashing, charming, and wealthy, he seems to have everything going for him.
But Yeo Jun has deep personal issues he cannot share with anyone. In a group project, he bumps into Nam Su-hyeon (Bae In-hyuk), a studious third-year student from a low-income family. Su-hyeon is diligent, socially reserved, and working to earn credits and money to support his family.
Though they are different, Yeo Jun bonds with him, gradually learning to grasp pain and resilience. With them is Kim So-bin (Kang Min-ah), a third-year student struggling to be noticed in a group. The three make an odd but endearing group.
Twenty-Five Twenty-One
FIlmed in the late 1990s, ‘Twenty-Five Twenty-One’ is based on the story of Na Hee-do (Kim Tae-ri), a gifted high school fencer whose team is disbanded because of the IMF financial crisis. Refusing to give up on her passion, she moves schools and eventually becomes part of the National Fencing Team.
Meanwhile, Baek Yi-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk) is also not spared. His family is rich but loses everything after the financial crisis, and he works several part-time jobs while dreaming of becoming a sports reporter.
The narrative is presented through the daughter of Na Hee-do, Kim Min-chae (Choi Myung-bin), when she stumbles upon her mother’s diary years after.
Record of Youth
‘Record of Youth’ was successful when it was broadcast, setting records as the best-rated Monday-Tuesday drama to air on tvN then. It also became a hit globally through Netflix.
The show is about three youth who are attempting to leave their own mark in show business. They experience setbacks, heartaches, and pressure from the expectations of others but keep pursuing their aspirations and love without losing hope.
The series was commended for depicting the hardships of Generation Z and millennials realistically. It was even nominated for Best Screenplay at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards and was noted by Forbes as among the best Korean dramas in 2020.
These K-dramas are united by one thing. They tell us that coming of age is never simple. But it is full of learnings, friendships, and moments that make us who we are.
For those who enjoy coming-of-age dramas, these shows are the perfect blend of entertainment, emotion, and inspiration. Each show takes its viewers through the highs and lows of life. They provide viewers with characters they can identify with and root for.