School 2

“School 2” is the second season of the iconic Korean high school drama series that captured the raw emotions and everyday challenges of Korean teens in the late '90s. Set in a typical high school, the series presents a deeply relatable and heartfelt story about students facing academic pressure, identity struggles, and the pursuit of dreams—while trying to survive the emotional turbulence of adolescence. At the heart of the drama is Lee Han, played by Kim Rae Won, a warm and thoughtful student who becomes a central figure among his classmates. Alongside him is Jang Se Jin, portrayed by the now-famous Ha Ji Won, a bold and passionate student whose presence shakes up the school environment. Their chemistry, conflicts, and quiet romance create some of the most memorable moments in early K-drama history. The cast also includes Lee Yo Won as Kim Yeon Jin, Kim Min Hee as Shim Hye Won, and Jae Hee as Lee Sung Je, each bringing their own personal struggles and emotional journeys to the narrative. From broken families to bullying, and from love triangles to teacher-student conflicts, the characters' experiences reflect the harsh yet real side of youth life in Korea. These performances launched many into Hallyu stardom. “School 2” remains a must-watch classic Korean drama for fans of coming-of-age stories, realistic school settings, and emotionally rich storytelling. Its sincere portrayal of high school life, paired with a cast that would later become A-list stars, makes it one of the most influential youth dramas in K-drama history.

Details

🙂 Native Title: 학교 2
🌎 Also Known As: School Season 2, Hakgyo 2
🎭 Genres: Drama, Youth, School
🏷 Tags: High School, Teenager, Student Life, Coming of Age, Friendship
✍ Screenwriters: Kang Eun Kyung, In Jung Ok
🎬 Directors: Lee Min Hong, Hwang Eui Kyung
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 43
🗓️ Aired: May 8, 1999 – Oct 30, 1999
📅 Airing Days: Saturday
📺 Original Network: KBS2
⏰ Duration: 45 min.
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older

Best Scenes

Lee Han’s heartfelt confession to Jang Se Jin, played by Kim Rae Won and Ha Ji Won, became one of the drama’s most emotional turning points.
Classroom confrontation about bullying, where students stand up for each other, remains a powerful and memorable moment.
Kim Yeon Jin’s breakdown at home, portrayed by Lee Yo Won, highlights the pressures students face both academically and personally.
Shim Hye Won’s tearful apology to her teacher, played by Kim Min Hee, showcases guilt, growth, and emotional maturity.
Final graduation scene, where friendships are celebrated and futures uncertain, wraps the series in a nostalgic and bittersweet farewell.

Filming Locations

KBS production studios in Seoul provided the majority of indoor classroom and school corridor scenes.
Real Korean high schools were used for exterior shots, giving authenticity to the school setting.
Neighborhood cafés and study rooms were used to show the characters’ daily lives outside of school.
Public parks and rooftops served as key locations for introspective and romantic moments.
Bus stops and walkways symbolized transitional moments in characters’ emotional journeys.

Visual Design and Costumes

School uniforms were kept simple and realistic, mirroring actual student attire from late ’90s South Korea.
Characters’ hairstyles and accessories reflected their personalities—reserved, rebellious, or trendy.
Natural lighting in classroom scenes emphasized realism and the series’ documentary-like tone.
Wardrobe choices evolved subtly, showing character development over time.
Muted and earth-tone color palettes were used to reflect the emotional depth and tone of the show.

Themes and Messages

The complexity of teenage emotions, from first love to peer pressure, forms the emotional backbone of the story.
The impact of bullying and social hierarchy is explored through both students and school staff.
Family expectations and generational conflicts are portrayed through several characters’ home lives.
Self-discovery and personal growth emerge as students confront their fears and desires.
Friendship and loyalty are shown to be powerful forces in overcoming high school hardships.

Interesting Facts

“School 2” helped launch the careers of stars like Kim Rae Won, Ha Ji Won, and Lee Yo Won.
The series tackled real social issues, which was rare and bold for late ’90s Korean television.
Each episode addressed different student problems, blending entertainment with moral lessons.
The cast included future Hallyu stars, many of whom gained major roles in later K-dramas and films.
“School 2” maintained strong ratings, thanks to its relatable themes and realistic storytelling style.

Awards

Here are the awards received by the Korean drama “School 2” (1999–2000):

1999 KBS Drama Awards: Kim Rae-won received the Best Young Actor Award for his role as Lee Han in “School 2”.
1999 KBS Drama Awards: Shim Ji-ho was honored with the Best Young Actor Award for his portrayal of Han Tae-hoon in “School 2”.
1999 KBS Drama Awards: Kim Min-hee earned the Best Teen Actress Award for her performance as Shim Hye-won in “School 2”.

These accolades highlight the significant impact “School 2” had in showcasing emerging talent in the South Korean television industry.

Real-Life Loves on Set

There is no confirmed or publicly known real-life romance that developed between the cast members of the Korean drama “School 2” (1999). Although the drama featured strong on-screen chemistry—especially between actors like Kim Rae Won, Ha Ji Won, Kim Min Hee, and Lee Yo Won—all known relationships remained professional throughout the production and afterward.

Fans often speculated about possible off-screen romances due to the emotional and realistic portrayals of young love in the series, but none of the cast members have confirmed any personal relationships that stemmed from working together on “School 2.” As it stands, the love stories in the drama stayed purely fictional.