Several school K-Dramas highlight student life and the pressures of education in South Korea. TV series like “SKY Castle” and “The Penthouse: War In Life” feature stories of Korean students’ struggles, especially the psychological and emotional stress.

But do these dramas truly depict the realities of Korean student life, or do they exaggerate the pressures for a dramatic effect? This article will explore how these K-Dramas portray student life and academic pressures, comparing the on-screen experiences to the real challenges.

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Student Mental Health and Academic Pressure in South Korea

If you’re an avid follower of Korean culture, you probably know that South Korea is infamous for its rigorous and stressful education system. Parents pressure their children to get high grades and would even sign them up for cram school or tutoring classes. All these are out of their desire to ensure their kids get admitted into prestigious universities.

Many school K-Dramas have depicted this harsh reality about Korean student life. That includes “SKY Castle,” “The Penthouse: War in Life,” “Green Mothers Club,” and “Black Dog,” which we will discuss later on in the article.

Recent data underscores the severity of the country’s intense academic environment. A 2021 survey by the National Youth Policy showed that approximately 21% of middle and high school students in Korea thought about harming themselves in 2020. They cited academic pressure as a primary reason. Female students (35%) expressed this concern more strongly than their male counterparts (19.6%).

According to Statista, a 2023 survey revealed that 42.7% of middle and high school students had suicidal thoughts mainly because of academic stress. In the same year, Seoul’s university hospitals reported a significant increase in teenage psychiatric admissions. Occupancy rates in some psychiatric wards reached 90%. This growth highlights the rising mental health crisis among South Korean youth, often because of relentless academic demands.

Even South Korean teachers experience burnout and mental health struggles. Between 2018 and 2023, approximately 100 teachers took their own lives. One of the main reasons is parental pressure, which causes teachers to battle stress and depression.

 

School K-Dramas That Show Korean Student Life Under Pressure

Over the years, Korean production companies have released dramas about South Korea’s demanding academic environment and student difficulties.

“SKY Castle” (2018-2019)

The first one on our list is “SKY Castle,” one of the most popular dramas of 2019. The name of the show refers to a residential area where wealthy Korean elite families reside. These families would do anything to ensure their children get into SKY. SKY is an acronym for the top three reputable schools in South Korea: Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University.

In the drama, parents would hire expensive tutors and enroll their children in private lessons so that they can get into the best universities. This pushes the students to their breaking point.

 

"The Penthouse: War In Life" (2020-2021)

“The Penthouse: War In Life” is mainly about the lives of rich families and the influence and relationships in Seoul’s upper class. However, it also has a strong focus on the pressure that students face, particularly those at an elite level of education. The TV series demonstrates the intense competition in school, academic pressure, and the emotional toll on students. It also shows the lengths some will go to succeed.

 

Green Mothers’ Club (2022)

Also one of the good examples of school K-Dramas centered on Korean student life, “Green Mothers’ Club” follows five moms living in a fancy neighborhood. They all try to raise their kids in a very competitive school system. The TV show covers how the stress and pressure on students start as early as elementary school. Kids were expected to perform well academically, and parents would receive judgment if they didn’t make sure of it.

 

“Black Dog: Being A Teacher” (2019-2020)

“Black Dog: Being A Teacher” also shows Korean students dealing with stress due to academic pressure, but it is mainly from the teachers’ point of view. The series portrays the emotional toll on educators, who have to meet academic standards while guiding students through their mental health struggles. It shows that even passionate teachers feel powerless because the Korean education system is too complex.

 

How School K-Dramas Expose the Harsh Side of Korean Student Life

South Korea is known for its intense academic environment, where students face extreme pressure to excel in school. The four dramas mentioned above have vividly portrayed this painful reality, exposing academic burnout, family expectations, and mental health struggles.

But how accurate are these portrayals compared to real-life experiences of Korean students? Do these dramas exaggerate, or are they telling the truth? Let’s find out below:

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