''School 2021'' () is a 2021
South Korean television series
Korean drama (), also known as K-drama or Koreanovela, refers to Korean-language television shows made in South Korea. These shows began to be produced around the early 1960s, but were mostly consumed domestically until the rise of the Korean Wa ...
directed by Kim Min-tae and starred
Kim Yo-han
Kim Yo-han (, born September 22, 1999), also known by the mononym Yohan (), is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of the Korean idol, boy group WEi and a former member of boy group X1 (band), X1, finishing first on ''Produce X 101 ...
,
Cho Yi-hyun
Cho Yi-hyun (, born December 8, 1999) is a South Korean actress who made her acting debut in 2017. Her most notable portrayals include ''Hospital Playlist'' (2020–2021) and ''All of Us Are Dead'' (2022).
Career
Cho made her acting debut in 20 ...
,
Choo Young-woo
Choo Young-woo (; born June 5, 1999) is a South Korean actor. He is known for his roles in the television series '' The Tale of Lady Ok'' (2024–2025) and '' The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call'' (2025), in which the former earned him the Baeksan ...
and
Hwang Bo-reum-byeol. It is the eighth installment of
KBS2
KBS 2TV is a South Korean free-to-air
Free-to-air (FTA) services are television (TV) and radio services broadcast in unencrypted form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen ...
's ''
School
A school is the educational institution (and, in the case of in-person learning, the Educational architecture, building) designed to provide learning environments for the teaching of students, usually under the direction of teachers. Most co ...
'' franchise. The series tells the story of 18 youths, who choose a path rather than an entrance examination. It depicts their growing period of dreams, friendship, and excitement as they struggle through the undefined boundaries. It was premiered on
KBS2
KBS 2TV is a South Korean free-to-air
Free-to-air (FTA) services are television (TV) and radio services broadcast in unencrypted form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen ...
on November 24, 2021 and aired every Wednesday and Thursday at 21:30 (
KST) till January 13, 2022.
Synopsis
School friends helping each other overcome the barriers that come up while taking a less chosen path. In the course they learn valuable lessons about life, love, and friendship.
Cast and characters
Main
*
Kim Yo-han
Kim Yo-han (, born September 22, 1999), also known by the mononym Yohan (), is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of the Korean idol, boy group WEi and a former member of boy group X1 (band), X1, finishing first on ''Produce X 101 ...
as Gong Ki-joon, 18 years old
**
Moon Woo-jin
Moon Woo-jin (; born February 19, 2009) is a South Korean actor. He made his acting debut in 2016 and since then, he has appeared in a lot of television series. His first best-known work was in ''What's Wrong with Secretary Kim'' (2018). He als ...
as young Gong Ki-joon
: He lost his dream of taekwondo after 11 years of training due to an injury. A member of a woodworking club.
*
Cho Yi-hyun
Cho Yi-hyun (, born December 8, 1999) is a South Korean actress who made her acting debut in 2017. Her most notable portrayals include ''Hospital Playlist'' (2020–2021) and ''All of Us Are Dead'' (2022).
Career
Cho made her acting debut in 20 ...
as Jin Ji-won
** Park Ye-rin as young Jin Ji-won
: A bright high school girl with a resolute dream to become a carpenter. She lives in the house which is under Ki-joon's house.
*
Choo Young-woo
Choo Young-woo (; born June 5, 1999) is a South Korean actor. He is known for his roles in the television series '' The Tale of Lady Ok'' (2024–2025) and '' The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call'' (2025), in which the former earned him the Baeksan ...
as Jung Young-joo
: Transfer student with a secret story. He looks like a quick-tempered but a warm-hearted person. Young-joo has tangled relationship with Ki-joon due to past events. He and Seo-young made an agreement to pretend to be a couple but, later on, has a crush on Ji-won.
*
Hwang Bo-reum-byeol as Kang Seo-young
: The quiet student in the class so that she is mistaken for conceit. She prepares for entrance examination on her own to enter in any of the top five universities in South Korea because she wants to get the scholarship and lighten the load of the orphanage's people. After making the couple agreement with Young-joo, she secretly falls in love with him.
*
Jeon Seok-ho
Jeon Seok-ho (; born May 2, 1984) is a South Korean actor. He is known for his role in '' Kingdom'' as the incompetent magistrate. He starred in TV series such as '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' (2014), ''The Good Wife'' (2016), and '' Strong Wom ...
as Lee Kang-hoon
: 39 years old, new teacher in the Department of Architecture, he is a character who values work-life balance more than students.
Supporting
Nulgigo Architecture Design Class 2-1
*
Kim Kang-min as Ji Ho-sung
: He is serious about every dream thats keeps changing, a passionate fan of Go Eun-bi and a friendship bridge between her and Jin Ji-won
* Seo Hee-sun as Go Eun-bi
: An idol trainee, who is a person with a wound inside. Unlike the cold and arrogant outside, there is a love and hate relationship with Kang Seo-young.
* Yoon Yi-re as Lee Jae-hee, twin sister of Lee Jae-hyuk.
* Lee Sang-joon as Lee Jae-hyuk
: Lee Jae-hee's twin brother, nephew of the school president Gu Mi-hee, was a person who was specially treated at the school and was faithful to his wishes. Try to make the most of his favorable conditions and in the meantime by getting involved with Kang Seo-young.
* Lee Ha-eun as Jung Min-seo
: An architecture student with clam and tender-hearted personality. An intern at Nulji Science and Technology High School, a calm and gentle person. She unintentionally caused an accident at work which made her contemplate taking her own life but not before writing a letter referencing Hanna Dains' poem.
* Kim Nu-rim as Jong-bok
:A sophomore in the architecture department of Nulji Science and Technology High School, in addition to understanding how to get along well with his classmates. He is a close friend of Gong Ki-joon.
* Kim Jin-gon as Hong Min-ki
:Second year high school student in the architectural design department. A friendly person who cares about others and believes what he hears.
* Park Ga-ryul as Jo Tae-ri, class president. A bit harsh and direct.
* Jung Ye-seo as Lee Hyo-joo
: A sophomore architecture student at Nulji Science and Technology High School. Jin Ji-won's close friend and someone who always worries about Ji-won and supports him in what he does.
* Kim Cha-yoon as Kim Myung-ah
: A sophomore in the Department of Architecture. She has a bold personality and is a straightforward person, but no one can hate her.
* Cha Joo-wan as Taekang Choi, the captain of the school's taekwondo club.
Teachers
* Kim Kyu-seon as Song Chae-rin
: 37 years old, new professor in the Department of Architecture, who knows how to stand by the students and bump into Lee Kang-hoon.
*
Lee Ji-ha
Lee Ji-ha (; born October 7, 1970) is a South Korean actress and model. She is known for her roles in dramas such as '' The Smile Has Left Your Eyes'', ''My Unfamiliar Family,'' '' Sweet Home'' and ''Squid Game,'' the latter gaining her interna ...
as Gu Mi-hee
: 54 years old, two-faced president. She's someone who values the employment rate more than the student's dream. She created a slight conflict with the students.
* Kim Min-sang as Lee Han-soo
: 50 years old, head of the Education Department, he also values employment rate more than student's dream, so he is secretly in conflict with students.
* Park Geun-rok as Shin Chul-min
: 38 years old, a teacher who likes to hang out with children.
*
Shin Cheol-jin
Shin Cheol-jin (; born 29 May 1956) is a South Korean actor. He made his debut in the 1976 play ''Naughty in the West''.
Filmography Television series
Film
Awards and nominations
* 2005 Korean Theater Actors Association Actor of the Year
* ...
as Oh Jang-seok, 65 years old, principal
* Go Eun-min as Kim Young-na, 20 years old
* Im Jae-geun as Yeo Sam-yeol, 50 years old
Families
= Ki-joon's family
=
*
Park In-hwan as Gong Young-soo
: 70 years old, Ki-joon's grandfather. A former carpenter, he currently lives alone with his grandson Ki-joon due to family circumstances. He loves Ki-joon infinitely.
= Ji-won's family
=
*
Kim Soo-jin as Jo Young-mi
: 50 years old, Ji-won's mother, she is unhappy with Ji-won's dream.
* Jo Seung-yeon as Jin Deok-gyu
: 52 years old, Ji-won's father.
*
Kim Ye-ji as Jin Jin-soo
: 24 years old, Ji-won's older sister.
= Jung Young-joo's family
=
*
Bang Jae-ho
Bang Jae-ho is a South Korean actor and model. He is best known for his roles in dramas ''The King in Love'', ''The Third Charm'', '' School 2021'' and ''Grand Prince''. He also appeared in movies such as '' The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos'' and '' ...
as Chul Joo-jeong
: 24 years old, Young-joo's older brother.
* Jo Ryeon as Kim Seon-ja
: 51 years old, Young-ju and Cheol-ju's mother.
Production
Development
Originally planned to be produced in 2020 under the name ''School 2020,'' and to air in the second half of 2020, the series was delayed for completeness. The script was revised and the name was changed to ''School 2021''.
Casting
In February 2020,
Kim Yo-han
Kim Yo-han (, born September 22, 1999), also known by the mononym Yohan (), is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of the Korean idol, boy group WEi and a former member of boy group X1 (band), X1, finishing first on ''Produce X 101 ...
was confirmed as the male lead.
Ahn Seo-hyun
Ahn Seo-hyun (; born January 12, 2004) is a South Korean actress. She began her career as a child actress in 2008, and has since appeared in films and television series such as '' The Housemaid'' (2010), '' Single-minded Dandelion'' (2014) and ...
was cast as female lead, but was removed from the series due to a disagreement between her father (who also served as her talent manager at that time) and the producers.
Kim Sae-ron
Kim Sae-ron (; July 31, 2000 – February 16, 2025) was a South Korean actress. Kim began her career in 2001 as a child model and transitioned to acting in 2009 with the film '' A Brand New Life'' (2009). She gained recognition through '' The ...
was offered the female lead role later, but she declined.
In April 2021,
Kim Young-dae and
Cho Yi-hyun
Cho Yi-hyun (, born December 8, 1999) is a South Korean actress who made her acting debut in 2017. Her most notable portrayals include ''Hospital Playlist'' (2020–2021) and ''All of Us Are Dead'' (2022).
Career
Cho made her acting debut in 20 ...
joined the cast. On June 21, casting of the four main characters was confirmed. On July 15, it was reported that Kim Young-dae has dropped out of the series. On July 23, it was officially announced that Kim Young-dae withdrew. On July 27, it was reported that
Choo Young-woo
Choo Young-woo (; born June 5, 1999) is a South Korean actor. He is known for his roles in the television series '' The Tale of Lady Ok'' (2024–2025) and '' The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call'' (2025), in which the former earned him the Baeksan ...
has been offered the role of transfer student, which originally Kim Young-dae was playing. On July 28, it was reported that Choo Young-woo officially joined.
On August 5, it was announced by Kurznine Entertainment that Seo Hee-sun would debut as an idol trainee in the series. On the same day, Mystic Story announced that
Kim Kang-min also joined the cast of ''School 2021''. On August 6, the cast lineup for teachers and families was announced. On October 13, script reading site was revealed by releasing photos.
Filming
On November 13, one of the cast member of the series was tested positive for COVID-19 and subsequently the main lead was also found positive, the production and presentation was suspended as per the guidelines.
Music
On September 24, it was reported that producers
Yoon Il-sang
Yoon Il-sang (; born February 21, 1974) is a South Korean composer, producer, and songwriter. He graduated from Kyung Hee University Post Modern Music Department, and he is also the co-founder of Nega Network Ltd.
In January 2012, Yoon release ...
, and artist
Yoon Min-soo
Yoon Min-soo (; born February 27, 1980) is a South Korean singer and television personality. He and Ryu Jae-hyn comprise the K-pop/contemporary R&B duo Vibe
Vibe, alternatively '' vibes,'' is short for ''vibration''. A "vibe" is an emotional re ...
of
Vibe
Vibe, alternatively '' vibes,'' is short for ''vibration''. A "vibe" is an emotional reaction to the aura or energy felt to belong to a person, place or thing.
Vibe may also refer to:
People
* DJ Vibe (born 1968), Portuguese DJ
* Lasse Vibe (b ...
, and
Mamamoo
Mamamoo (; commonly stylized in all caps) is a South Korean girl group formed and managed by RBW (company), RBW. The group is composed of four members: Solar (singer), Solar, Moonbyul, Wheein, and Hwasa. Known for their strong live vocals, Harm ...
's
RBW Entertainment are participating in the ''School 2021'' album production together and working on the songs. It is progressing along with the production of the drama.
Release
''School 2021'' was originally scheduled to be released on November 17, 2021, however,
Kim Yo-han
Kim Yo-han (, born September 22, 1999), also known by the mononym Yohan (), is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of the Korean idol, boy group WEi and a former member of boy group X1 (band), X1, finishing first on ''Produce X 101 ...
caught
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...
and the premiere date was postponed to November 24.
A special broadcast titled '2021, Let's Go to School!' to promote the series was aired on November 18, 2021. The production team said, "Through a special broadcast, we will present an exciting time by highlighting a fresh and refreshing story and teen romance once again."
Original soundtrack
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Ratings
Awards and nominations
See also
*
School (South Korean TV series)
''School'' () is a South Korean anthology series created by the KBS Drama Production Group for KBS2. The first season premiered in 1999, and the series lasted for four straight years (until 2002). After a ten-year hiatus, the franchise reboote ...
References
External links
*
''School 2021''at
Daum
Daum may refer to:
People
* Ahron Daum (1951–2018), Israeli-born Modern-Orthodox rabbi, educator, and author
*Andreas Daum (active from 1995), German-American historian
* Auguste Daum (1853–1909), French ceramist
*Christoph Daum (1953–2024), ...
''School 2021''at
Naver
Naver (; stylized as NAVER) is a South Korean online platform operated by the Naver Corporation. The company's products include a search engine, email hosting, blogs, maps, and mobile payment.
History
Naver was the first Korean web provide ...
* {{Hancinema drama, School_2021
2021 South Korean television series debuts
2022 South Korean television series endings
Korean Broadcasting System television dramas
Korean-language television shows
South Korean high school television series
South Korean teen dramas
South Korean television series about teenagers
Television series by RaemongRaein
Television productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic