Mostly centered on the rise and fall of an unfixable friendship, it doesn't stretch out the same one plot for sixteen episodes risking to make it lame and repetitive. Different stories are told, just like different stories happen in one high school class. Each of these plots lead back to friendship in the end, but none of them is like the previous one, as they all touch a second different topic, reminding us we're never the only ones who suffer although not everyone has to face the same kind of hardship we're going through.
This drama is original, true, bitter, at times shocking, but also inspiring, hopeful and fun like the age of its protagonists.
I appreciate the complete absence of romance, not because i don't enjoy it but because it's a nice change in kdramas standards.
At times it seems ridiculous the ability this school has to find a reason to expell someone every other day, but nevertheless the screenplay keeps the suspence up until the very last minute.
And there's no reason to deny or hide it: the bromance will kill you over and over again.
This drama is a jewel.
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The acting was phenomenal, the characters were so well oriented with each other and the actors all seemed to be living the life of the character as they were on screen! I cried for all the right reasons watching this drama and I might even watch it again so that I can get that feeling! The bromance was so well developed that it maybe sometimes gave me this big goofy smile that I usually wear when I see the main couple interacting it's each other in other dramas! Haha! Nam Soon and heung soo are seriously he best ones in this drama! Also the teacher student relationships are really unique and also described perfectly!
The story it elf is a deal brake because all these school dramas that we love to watch no matter how much we dream they aren't really realistic, even though they dramafy everything in this drama this stuff happens at school everyday and we all know it! This school drama Is perfect and I know the some of you who don't want to go through a school drama are missing out on every thing you have ever wanted to watch.
All In all this drama is with every second and very tissue that you use! Even for those of us who like romance don't miss out on this show amazing actIng and an amazing storyline! I believe you people will savor evey second of it!!!!!
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One thing I can say about this show is that it was amazing at making me emotional. I don't cry often when watching dramas unless I'm really touched, but I found myself in tears often while watching this show. Future shows like this need to pay attention to this show. Hiring actors instead of idols makes a world of difference.
That being said, while I enjoyed most of this, there were some things that bugged me constantly. The one thing that never sat right with me about this show was how the class was portrayed. When you listen to K-Pop for a long time, one thing you notice a lot is that music videos about school get banned instantly the second someone thinks they see even a hint of violence. I'm not a fan of hypocrites, so to see a show aired where school violence is such a major event (even though I understand this is how schools are there), it's incredibly irritating.
Another thing that bugged me a lot was the way the writers went about making certain things happen. In order to make sure misunderstandings would occur, they'd always set it up in a way that was horrible to watch because it made absolutely no sense. Somebody would suddenly do something they would never do otherwise, and you just know that it's happening for the sole reason of making the misunderstanding seem true.
Now then, as much as I disliked all of that (and some other things that I feel are too small to be mentioned), I was absolutely in love with this cast. Their chemistry and the ways they interacted with each other were a joy to watch. I had absolutely no trouble believing any of it. It really helped that almost the entire cast was given a backstory of their own. When you give an actor a reason to act like they do, it lets you connect with them and that, in turn, makes their acting believable.
The music for this show was okay. I wasn't blown away by anything, but it wasn't horrible either.
If I were going to rewatch this, it would be in the distant future, and I'd be doing a lot of skipping. Especially the ending. The ending for this drama was, by far, one of the least satisfying endings I have ever seen. That alone almost had me giving this drama a score of 7 instead of the 8 I gave it.
Overall, the drama wasn't as mind-blowing as people were making it out to be. There were a lot of times during the first 2-4 episodes where I was seriously considering dropping it. If I had watched this as it was airing instead of waiting as long as I had to start it, I can almost guarantee that I wouldn't have finished.
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This drama takes you on an emotional roller coaster. It is simply magnificent.
Plot: When I first stumbled upon this drama I thought that it was going to be fluffy and light but it wasn't. All most all episodes are filled with angst. They made my heart really heavy. I liked that it did not focus on romance (not including BROMANCE). This show made me laugh one moment and cry another.
Cast: 10 out of 10. The teachers were incredible. The students were incredible even the desks were incredible . Im gonna keep an eye for Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin in the future. They made me go all mushy at the BROMANCE moments :)
Ending: Super neat. All the conflicts were neatly solved and pocketed away yet it left me a bit unsatisfied as there were question running through my head about the future. I wont go on because if I do I may ramble on and spoil it.
Rewatch: Definitely.
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I also liked Park Se Young as a gloomy, quiet, oozing-with-confidence class topper. I also loved Min Ki the angel, Chang Hwan the sweet sweet boy, Jung Ho the gangster, Jung Ho's friends, Kang Joo the bubbly bestfriend and others that I can't really recall right now.
And, you know, the thing is that romance is great to watch and all that but watching these friendship dramas once in a while leaves us with a warm, fuzzy feeling which we feel in life when we hang out with our friends at school or wherever. Friends and schoolmates - we make unforgettable and probably the best memories with them. And dramas that portray that - we can personally relate to them. What I'm basically trying to say through this mini-speech is that even though there's no romance in this drama, don't let it stop you from watching it. It's a gem.
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I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, walking into this drama, other than that it supposedly had an amazing bromance storyline. As a huge lover of all things "bromantic", I was intrigued by the prospect, enough so that I put aside my qualms about there being zero non-bro romance. And let me tell you, I am so glad that I did!
I don't typically watch high school dramas, and have never watched one that was so school-centric. 90% of the storyline involved the school, and while some of you may scoff that that was surprising to me, given that the title of the show is, in fact, School, I do wish that they had delved a little more outside of the school interactions. If only to break up the slightly repetitious storyline.
This drama wasn't meant to be marathoned, I don't think. When watching your 10th episode in a single sitting, it's glaringly obvious how many times they reuse some of the same plot points and how the only characters who are given room to grow are the categorized "misfits". The other characters, who should have been the normal bunch, never are given that chance. They stay catty and arrogant throughout, and while we are given so much motivation for why the criminal element of the show acts the way they do, characters who should have been regular students seemed far more sociopathic in their actions than a character who beat a guy til his leg broke.
If you are going into this strictly for the bromance, much like I did, then be prepared to wait. And wait. And then wait just a little bit more. It took a really long time before it got to the bromance I had anticipated from the beginning. It was an arduous journey to get to that point, and I think even calling it a bromance might be a tad misleading. It runs deeper than that. It's two boys who only ever had each other and how one mistake utterly destroys them, and the story of School is how they tenuously try to pick up the pieces.
The brilliance of this show does lie in the growth, however unfairly they distribute it. If a show can take you from absolutely loathing a character in the beginning to really, really wanting them to succeed in life then you know it's doing something right. And despite it's flaws, School 2013 was brilliant in showcasing the shades of gray and how the way you look at and treat other people doesn't define them as much as it defines what kind of person you are.
All in all, this drama is well worth the time and I defy anyone to watch it and not seriously fall in love with Go Nam Soon. Never has there been a more seemingly-apathetic character who could make you feel so many different things. I promise, give this drama a shot, and you won't be disappointed!
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Was perfect from the 1sc to the last one! it wasn't surrealist..in fact that's the reality, and that aspect that writer used was really amazing because thanks to that it's a freaking masterpiece. this is A MUST WATCH drama. it gave me soo much lessons that i wished i had back at my highschool's days. I hope that we can have another drama as this one like another season with different students etc... this drama is one of those that you'll watch it 16 hours~ without skiping anything. And the acting well.. THE ACTING WAS BRILLANT, ALL the cast was really good, made us pass from love to hate, frustration anxity happiness.. They did such an amazing job..as for the main actors..OH well THEY ALL ARE MAIN ACTORS, well of cours we have " the principal ones" but everybody had his one story, and gave us ALL the necessary feelings This drama is priceless.
The music was also perfect, perfect song at the good moments not some random music like in some dramas.
As for the rewatch value i'm gonna watch it AGAIN AND AGAIN until i'll be able to watch it without subs.
Thank you writer thank you korea thank u everybody T_T now i'm gonna cry because it's the freaking end and my life now has no meaning without my bromance and sismance and teachermance's week T_T
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Interestingly, modern themes like social networking etc don't really figure much in the show, but it doesn't bother me. Every generation will obsess over something trendy, but the friendships and relationships formed around these trendy things will be universal from generation to generation. Where there's a classroom with students, there will be gossip, some troublemakers and lots of friendship. As for modern technology like tablets and smartphones, and why they don't appear much in this show, my guess is this class is mainly made up of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, so they don't possess such expensive gadgets.
As others mention, there is no romance in this show. Personally romance didn't figure in my high school experience, so it wasn't a big factor for me. In fact I preferred that way as I could then focus on other themes I felt were more important. The tone of the show is certainly gloomy. Its pace faltered, especially at episodes 10-13. I could feel like some plots being rehashed at some points. But happily, it picks up at episode 14.
Many episodes brought me on a roller coaster ride of emotions - from moments that made me sob like a baby, to moments where all I wanted to do was bitch-slap some of the villainous and know-it-all characters in the class. Well, all in the day of a Korean drama watcher.
On the bromance point, it is resolved quite soon in the show, leaving us with a good balance of passive-aggressive expressions of concern for each other, and cute moments of friendship and brotherly love among the characters, for better or for worse. I do hope to see Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin more on the Korean drama and movie scene soon (doesn't hurt that they're pretty cute haha).
I was particularly moved by Jang Nara's performance as the caring homeroom teacher of the class. I could feel a teacher's sincerity through each gentle word of encouragement or comfort she spoke to her students.
On previous criticisms that the ending is 'abrupt' or too open-ended, I feel the tone of the drama would have been disrupted if the ending was too neat or fairy-tale. Students' lives won't necessarily be transformed and their problems won't be instantly solved because of one good year with one good teacher (not doubting the transforming power of one good teacher though). In addition, the fact that the characters are young students means the future is always open-ended and open to change. So I actually really like the ending.
All in all, a good line from the show to sum it up is: "It's not yet time to let go of the kids' hands."
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The one thing I initially didn't like about this drama (that there was no romance) turned out to be the best thing about this drama. I've come to realize that friendships and never ending loyalty can run more strongly than love. You guys who've seen this understand. THE BROMANCE FEELS!!! The relationship between Go Nam Soon (Lee Jong Suk) and Park Heung Soo (Kim Woo Bin) was phenomenal! Seriously guys...seriously. But surprisingly the relationship between the two main boys and side male characters like Oh Jung Ho (Kwak Jung Wook), Lee Ji Hoon, and Lee Yi Kyung was equally as touching. Granted not as dramatic but just as "awww" worthy.
Apart from teacher Jung In Jae (Jang Na Ra) all the other female leads were either a let down or just plain sucked. And when I say sucked, I mean sucked BIG TIME. This is definitely an adorable boys movie.
The music was kinda annoying at times which didn't really fit the feel of the movie EXCEPT for this wonderfully sad ending OST they started playing half way through. And it was sooo good. So all in all the music was a bit disappointing.
There is about a 75% chance that I'll watch this in the future and I'll do it for the bromance because it was just heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time. I don't often cry during dramas but this one really got me during the deep truth talks between Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin. I'll say it again if you're still unsure about watching this drama, WATCH IT!
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BUT, there are three words that can sum up this drama:
Bromance On Fire.
hahahah, i loooved it.
the character development is awesome, and you find yourself getting teary eyed at moments. I think its made even more powerful by the subtleness of the situations that arise - they feel realistic. they are real problems high schoolers actually might face.
so, ultimately, i would DEFINITELY recommend watching it.
either way, kim woo bin is in it - so you dont have a reason not to watch it ;)
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The story is amazingly simple. Yes, the plot just revolved around the problems kids and teachers are facing at school, but the way this drama portrayed this story really struck through the heart. Through the various characters in the drama, the viewers were given a reflection of the sometimes harsh, sometimes bright realities happening at school. The only thing I may not have liked about the story was how it mostly focused on reviving Nam-soon and Heung-soo's friendship. I did find their friendship wonderful, but I think there were other characters that could've been explored more (like Kang-joo). I commend the actors though for their believable acting (although most of them were rookies, I was surprised that they're not that bad at all).
In dramaland where almost everything that happens doesn't seem to really happen in everyday life, this drama proves to be different from the rest. It breathes reality.
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