10 K-Dramas To Marathon Before Going Back To School

September signals the start of back to school season for students in the United States. While many high school and college scholars started hitting the books in August, Labor Day weekend marks the end of the summer, when the vast majority of students return to their educational pursuits.

Korean dramas offer a wide range of perspectives on the challenges faced by high schoolers and collegiate pupils, whether they are enrolled in Joseon Period universities or fictitious performing arts institutions. 

Here are 10 Korean dramas to watch before going back to school or during study breaks.

1. "God of Study" 

"God of Study" (Master of Study) is a 2010 KBS2 series that explores the well-intentioned attempts of Kang Seok Ho (Kim Su Ro) to revive a failing high school. The lawyer challenges his rebellious students to aspire towards greatness and to seek admission into prestigious colleges. 

"God of Study" stars Bae Doona (A Girl at My Door), Yoo Seung Ho (Operation Proposal), Go Ah Sung (Heard it Through the Grapevine), Lee Hyun Woo (To the Beautiful You, Secretly Greatly), and T-ARA's Jiyeon. 

2. "Jungle Fish" 

Before Kim Soo Hyun and Park Bo Young were Hallyu stars they led the cast of the 2008 KBS teen drama, "Jungle Fish." "Jungle Fish" focuses on the pressures of the Korean educational system and the prevalence of cheating among students. 2PM's Chansung also stars in the series. 

3. "School 2013" 

Real-life best friends Kim Woo Bin and Lee Jong Suk star as students at Seung Ri High School in "School 2013." Lee Jong Suk is Go Nam Soon, a shy loner who is relentlessly bullied. Kim Woo Bin portrays Park Heung Soo, a transfer student with a grudge against Nam Soon. They become unlikely friends, in the series, which also stars Jang Na Ra and Choi Daniel as teachers. 

4. "Dream High" 

KBS' 2011 series "Dream High," is like a Korean version of the '80s American teen drama, "Fame." Set within a performing arts high school, "Dream High" stars Kim Soo Hyun, Miss A's Suzy, T-ARA's Eunjung, IU with 2PM's Taecyeon and Wooyoung. The series is a must-see program for K-Drama and K-pop fans. 

5. "Hi! School Love On" 

KBS' 2014 series, "Hi! School Love On," is a supernatural teen drama starring Kim Sae Ron (The Man from Nowhere) with INFINITE's Woohyun and Sungyeol. Kim Sae Ron is Lee Seul Bi, an angel who struggles with her newfound position as a human. She becomes entangled in a high-school love triangle with Shin Woo Hyun (Woohyun) and Hwang Sung Yeol (Sungyeol). "Hi! School Love On" combines feel-good romance with an emotionally dynamic plot. 

6. "The Heirs" 

Lee Min Ho emerged as a leader of the Hallyu Wave with his role in the 2009 drama, "Boys Over Flowers." However, the 2013 SBS series, "The Heirs," combines modern-day angst and the plight of conglomerate heirs for a less dated tale. "The Heirs" features a star-studded cast including Park Shin Hye, Kim Woo Bin, Choi Jin Hyuk, Kang Ha Neul, ZE:A's Park Hyung Sik and Krystal of f(x). 

7. "Seonam Girls High School Investigators" 

"Seonam Girls High School Investigators" is a quirky teen drama centered on the exploits of five students who are members of a private investigators club. The 2015 jTBC series stars Girl's Day member Hyeri, Stephanie Lee, Kang Min Ah and Jin Ji Hee.  

8. "Sungkyunkwan Scandal" 

"Sungkyunkwan Scandal" is a period focused on the exploits of Kim Yoon Hee, a young woman who disguises herself as her brother, to attend studies at Sungkyunkwan. Park Min Young portrays Yoon Hee in the romantic comedy, which also stars JYJ's Yoochun, Yoo Ah In and Song Joon Ki. 

9. "Reply 1997" 

The tvN hit series, "Reply 1997," explores the golden age of K-pop, when H.O.T and Sechs Kies ruled over the music scene. A Pink's Eunji is Sung Shi Won, a huge fan of H.O.T, who would rather follow news about the group than study for high school exams. Seo In Guk portrays Yoon Yoon Jae, the boy-next-door who falls hopelessly in love with Shi Won. While he has hit eyes set on her, his best friend Kang Joon Hee, develops a crush that forces him to explore the possibility that he could be a homosexual. INFINITE's Hoya delivers a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of Joon Hee.  

10. "Heartstrings"

Park Shin Hye and CNBLUE's Jung Yong Hwa lead the cast of the 2011 MBC drama, "Heartstrings." "Heartstrings" explores the unlikely marriage of classical and modern music, as it comes together in college hallways. Park Shin Hye is Lee Gyu Won, a traditional music student majoring in the gayageum, while Jung Yong Hwa portrays a western music scholar.