High Kick through the Roof!

High Kick Through the Roof! is a wildly popular Korean sitcom blending daily life comedy, family drama, and unexpected romance. Shin Se Kyung stars as Shin Se Kyung, a countryside girl who moves to Seoul with her younger sister Shin Shin Ae (played by Seo Shin Ae) after their father goes bankrupt. They end up living with the wealthy but eccentric Lee Sun Jae (played by Lee Soon Jae) and his chaotic multigenerational family. In their new home, the sisters meet a cast of colorful characters including Choi Daniel as Lee Ji Hoon, a handsome and kind-hearted doctor, and Yoon Shi Yoon as Jung Joon Hyuk, a rebellious high school student with a soft side. The family also includes Hwang Jung Eum (playing herself) and Oh Hyun Kyung as Lee Hyun Kyung, creating hilarious, awkward, and heartwarming situations as the girls try to adapt to their new life. As the story unfolds, romantic entanglements, generational conflicts, workplace humor, and school life are brilliantly woven together. Viewers watch as Se Kyung develops feelings for Ji Hoon, while Shin Ae's innocent perspective brings humor and charm. The show captures the struggles of balancing love, career, and family dynamics in a relatable and laugh-out-loud manner. With its witty dialogue, memorable characters, and unexpected emotional depth, High Kick Through the Roof! became one of the most searched and talked-about Korean sitcoms. The stellar performances of Shin Se Kyung, Seo Shin Ae, Lee Soon Jae, Choi Daniel, Yoon Shi Yoon, and Hwang Jung Eum helped elevate the series to iconic status, securing its place in K-drama history.

Details

🙂 Native Title: 지붕뚫고 하이킥!
🌎 Also Known As: High Kick 2, Unstoppable High Kick Season 2
🎭 Genres: Sitcom, Comedy, Romance, Family
🏷 Tags: Slice of Life, Sibling Bond, City Life, Family Dynamics, Coming-of-Age
✍ Screenwriters: Lee Young-chul, Lee So-jung, Jo Sung-hee
🎬 Directors: Kim Byeong-wook, Kim Young-ki, Jo Chan-joo
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 126
🗓️ Aired: September 7, 2009 – March 19, 2010
📅 Airing Days: Monday to Friday
📺 Original Network: MBC
⏰ Duration: Approximately 30 minutes per episode
🔞 Content Rating: PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

Best Scenes

Shin Se Kyung’s Cultural Shock: Se Kyung’s initial experiences in Seoul, from marveling at escalators to navigating subways, provide both humor and insight into her character’s adaptation to city life.
Lee Soon Jae’s Comedic Antics: The patriarch’s unexpected behaviors, such as his explosive reactions and misunderstandings, add a layer of slapstick comedy that resonates with audiences.
Hwang Jung Eum’s Romantic Misadventures: Her character’s attempts at love, filled with awkward yet endearing moments, showcase the sitcom’s blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling.
Jung Joon Hyuk’s Teenage Rebellions: His escapades, from school pranks to family confrontations, reflect the challenges of adolescence and add depth to the family dynamics.
The Controversial Finale: The unexpected tragic ending, diverging from the show’s comedic tone, sparked widespread discussion and remains one of the most talked-about conclusions in K-drama history.

Filming Locations

Bukchon Hanok Village: This traditional Korean village, with its preserved hanok houses, provided an authentic backdrop for several scenes, enhancing the show’s cultural setting.
Hangnim Dabang Café: Located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, this vintage café was featured in the series, offering a nostalgic ambiance that complemented the show’s themes.
Ilsan Dream Center: Many indoor scenes were filmed at this studio in Goyang, providing controlled environments for the sitcom’s diverse settings.
Seongbuk-dong Neighborhood: The Lee family’s residence is set in this residential area, reflecting the blend of traditional and modern lifestyles depicted in the show.
Myeongdong Shopping District: Some episodes feature this bustling area, capturing the vibrancy of Seoul’s urban life and the characters’ interactions within it.

Visual Design and Costumes

Contemporary Urban Fashion: Characters like Hwang Jung Eum often sport trendy outfits, reflecting Seoul’s modern fashion scene and the characters’ personalities.
Traditional Attire: Episodes featuring cultural events showcase characters in hanbok, emphasizing Korea’s rich heritage and traditions.
School Uniforms: The younger characters’ uniforms highlight the educational setting and the societal norms associated with Korean schooling.
Workplace Wardrobes: Professional attire worn by characters like Lee Ji Hoon underscores their career roles and adds authenticity to their portrayals.
Casual Homewear: The family’s at-home clothing choices contribute to the sitcom’s relatable and cozy atmosphere, emphasizing everyday life.

Themes and Messages

Adaptation to Urban Life: The sisters’ transition from rural to city living explores themes of cultural assimilation and personal growth.
Family Dynamics: Intergenerational relationships within the Lee household depict the complexities and bonds of family life.
Socioeconomic Disparities: The contrast between the sisters’ humble beginnings and the affluent Lee family highlights societal class differences.
Pursuit of Dreams: Characters striving for personal and professional aspirations reflect the universal theme of chasing one’s goals.
Love and Relationships: Romantic entanglements and friendships in the series delve into the nuances of human connections and emotional growth.

Interesting Facts

Unexpected Ending: The show’s finale took a dramatic turn, deviating from its comedic roots and leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
Real-Life Name Usage: Many characters share names with their actors, blurring the lines between fiction and reality and adding a meta layer to the storytelling.
Cameo Appearances: The series features guest spots from notable Korean celebrities, adding surprise elements and fan service.
Cultural Impact: The sitcom’s popularity led to increased interest in its filming locations, boosting tourism in areas like Bukchon Hanok Village.
Spin-Off Success: Following its success, the High Kick series continued with additional installments, cementing its place in Korean television history.

Awards

🏆 Major Awards & Recognitions

2010 46th Baeksang Arts Awards
- Best Entertainment Program: High Kick Through the Roof!
- Best New Actress (Television): Hwang Jung-eum
- Best New Actor (Television): Choi Daniel
- Best New Actor (Television): Yoon Shi-yoon
- Best New Actress (Television): Shin Se-kyung
2010 3rd Korea Drama Awards
- Most Popular Actress: Hwang Jung-eum
- Special Jury Prize: Kim Byung-wook (Director)
2010 11th Korea Visual Arts Festival
- Photogenic Award (TV Actress): Hwang Jung-eum
2011 15th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival
- Fantasia Award: Choi Daniel & Shin Se-kyung
2012 1st K-Drama Star Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Lee Soon-jae

🏅 MBC Entertainment Awards 2009

Best Couple Award (Sitcom/Comedy): Yoon Shi-yoon & Shin Se-kyung
Best Young Actor/Actress: Jin Ji-hee & Seo Shin-ae
Best New Actor (Sitcom/Comedy): Choi Daniel
Best New Actress (Sitcom/Comedy): Shin Se-kyung & Hwang Jung-eum
Lifetime Achievement Award: Lee Soon-jae

Real-Life Loves on Set

There were no confirmed real-life romantic relationships among the cast members of High Kick Through the Roof! during or after the show’s production. However, rumors did circulate, particularly involving actors Choi Daniel and Hwang Jung-eum.

During the airing of the sitcom, speculation arose about a possible affair between Choi Daniel and Hwang Jung-eum. These rumors intensified when the show took a brief hiatus, which some attributed to personal issues among the cast. Choi Daniel later clarified that the hiatus was due to the spread of the H1N1 flu among cast members, including Hwang Jung-eum and Yoon Shi-yoon, and not because of any personal conflicts or romantic entanglements.

In a 2025 reunion on the show Because I’m Solo, Choi Daniel and Hwang Jung-eum addressed these past rumors. Choi Daniel mentioned that, at the time, Hwang Jung-eum was publicly dating Kim Yong-jun of SG Wannabe, making the rumors particularly unfounded. Hwang Jung-eum also expressed her frustration over the baseless gossip.

Additionally, actress Jin Ji-hee, who played a child role in the series, once mentioned that her first love was co-star Yoon Shi-yoon. However, this was a childhood admiration and did not develop into a real-life relationship.