Saagar Kote
Based on the eponymous webtoon by Seopass and Kim Jin-seok, the Korean drama series ‘Weak Hero’ or ‘Yakhanyeongung’ is written by You Su-min. It is a harrowing tale of bullying, the fragility of teenagers, school life, adolescence, courage, and survival. The intense narrative focuses on the experiences of a boy named Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon), who faces bullying at school but gathers the courage to fight back, using his intellect and skills in intricate ways.
As he goes through the vulnerable stages of the teenage phase, he encounters various challenges that test him and his resolve to survive. In this journey of trials and tribulations, he befriends Ahn Soo-ho (Choi Hyun-wook) and Oh Beom-seok (Hong Kyung), who stand with him through the ups and downs of life and school. If you were entertained by the themes and characters of the story, these KDramas, similar to ‘Weak Hero,’ will keep you intrigued.
12. Save Me (2017)
Directed by Kim Sung-soo, ‘Save Me’ or ‘Goohaejwo’ is a Korean drama series that is based on the webcomic ‘Out of the World’ by Jo Geum-san. Written by Jung Shin-kyoo (under the pen name Edo Jeong), the narrative explores the life of Im Sang-mi (Seo Yea-ji), whose family relocates to a region where the Goseonwon religious cult dominates. What starts as a simple move of a family’s relocation soon becomes a chaotic tale of violence and secrets. The hidden world behind the facade of the cult threatens to tear apart the world of the protagonist and her loved ones in deeply unsettling ways. As the protagonist tries to survive her predicament, an unexpected family tragedy causes her to face unexpected challenges. Akin to ‘Weak Hero,’ it explores the themes of bullying and survival, which connect the two stories on a spiritual level. Characters in both stories are driven to the extreme due to the violent actions of others.
11. My Name (2021)
Netflix’s Korean drama series ‘My Name’ or ‘Mai Neim,’ written by Kim Ba-da and directed by Kim Jin-min, is a saga of revenge, redemption, and survival that narrates the story of a woman driven by grief. After her father’s unexpected death, the protagonist Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee) becomes involved with dangerous elements who have agendas of their own. Her entry into the world of crime leads her to assume an alias, using which she partners with Detective Jeon Pil-do (Ahn Bo-hyun) in the drug investigation unit, aiming to uncover the truth behind her father’s demise and seek revenge. Similar to the world of ‘Weak Hero,’ the show deals with the aspects of revenge and redemption. Characters in both stories are driven to extremes in order to ensure their survival.
10. Nobody Knows (2020)
Directed by Lee Jeong-heum, ‘Nobody Knows’ or ‘Amudo moreunda’ is a Korean drama series that revolves around the brave and obsessive journey of a detective named Cha Young-jin (Kim Seo-hyung). It follows her past and present that intertwine due to her memory of a friend who was killed by a dangerous serial killer almost two decades ago. Written by Kim Eun Hyang, the story also follows her bond with a teenager named Go Eun-ho (Ahn Ji-ho), whose actions lead him towards unexpected scenarios. On the lines of ‘Weak Hero,’ it has elements of revenge and redemption experienced by the characters. Both shows blend crime and human emotions in intricate ways, while also dealing with the element of aggression towards more vulnerable individuals in society.
9. Trigger (2025)
Kwon Oh-seung and written by Oh-Seung Kwon, Netflix’s Korean action drama ‘Trigger’ or ‘Teurigeo’ is a wickedly entertaining tale of a game of cat and mouse between a police officer named Lee Do (Kim Nam-gil) and a criminal named Moon Baek (Kim Young-kwang), who are both dangerously involved in the world of guns and crime. The show deals with mysterious occurrences in South Korea, wherein guns are supplied through illegal means across the country, leading to a state of chaos. The elements of violence and revenge seen in ‘Weak Hero’ are poignantly explored in the show. Both shows are metaphysically connected due to their exploration of violence and the fragility of teenagers.
8. School 2013 (2012-2013)
Directed by Lee Min-hong and Lee Eung-bok, the Korean drama series ‘School 2013’ or ‘Hakgyo 2013’ is written by Lee Hyun-joo and Go Jung-won. It explores the intricacies of the connection between teachers and students, while also dealing with societal issues like insecurity and bullying experienced by teenagers. The core plot revolves around the experiences of two teachers named Jeong In-jae (Jang Na-ra) and Kang Sae-chan (Choi Daniel), who have differing opinions about how to teach and motivate their students. Just like ‘Weak Hero,’ the emotional nucleus of the show lies in the exploration of issues faced by teenagers, especially the difficulties surrounding bullying. Characters in both shows are subject to psychological challenges that test their will to survive the fragility of the teenage phase in life.
7. How to Buy a Friend (2020)
‘How to Buy a Friend’ or ‘Gyeyagujeong’ is a Korean drama series that is based on the webtoon ‘Friendship Contract’ by Laad Kwon. It is an exploration of revenge and friendship narrated through the perspectives of Heo Don-hyeok (Shin Seung-ho), who lives a life of aggression and pent-up rage after the untimely demise of his girlfriend. In order to redeem himself and solve the mystery of his former lover’s death, he befriends a boy named Park Chan Hong (Lee Sin-young), who appears to be good at cracking clues. Written by Joo-man Kim and directed by Yoo Young-eun, the show, on the lines of ‘Weak Hero,’ talks about the issues surrounding teenagers and the extent to which they go to fulfill their obsessions. Both shows delve into the dark and isolating world of bullying, which leads youngsters into tragic consequences.
6. Juvenile Justice (2022)
Created by Hong Jong-chan and Kim Min-suk, Netflix’s Korean legal drama series ‘Juvenile Justice’ or ‘Sonyeon simpan’ is an exploration of prejudice, justice, growth, and reconciliation with past tragedy. The narrative deals with the life of a judge named Shim Eun-seok (Kim Hye-soo), who is known for her harsh stance toward juvenile offenders. Due to the limitations she has imposed on herself, she finds it difficult to be neutral whenever young offenders are involved in a case. However, she must learn to outgrow her prejudice and be a better judge. Resembling ‘Weak Hero,’ it deals with the idea of violence and bullying shaping the lives of teenagers, while also commenting on the idea of systemic flaws that lead to dangerous scenarios for young people. Characters in both stories are targets of bullying who deal with its psychological aftermath.
5. Class of Lies (2019)
The Korean drama series ‘Class of Lies’ or ‘ Miseuteo giganje’ is written by Jang Hong-cheol and created by Studio Dragon. It is a tale of redemption, murder, and secrets that is narrated through the experiences of a lawyer named Ki Moo-Hyeok (Yoon Kyun-sang), who faces a downward trajectory in his legal career after failing to win a case. In order to redeem himself, he takes a job as a teacher at a high school using an assumed name. However, his real motive is to investigate the mysterious death of a student, who might be connected to the case he lost earlier. Akin to ‘Weak Hero,’ it deals with the dark reality of teenage bullying and the lengths that youngsters are pushed into through acts of violence. Characters in both stories deal with the aftermath of bullying in unsettling ways. The elements of school life and its complexities are common in both shows.
4. Revenge of Others (2022 -)
Directed by Kim Yoo-jin, Disney+’s Korean drama series ‘Revenge of Others’ or ‘3inching boksu’ is a tale of death, loss, redemption, and survival. It chronicles the tale of a young student named Ok Chan-mi (Shin Ye-eun), who goes on a transformative journey after the untimely death of her brother. Written by Lee Hee-myung, the series examines the concepts of bullying and the effects it has on the minds of young people. In order to unravel the reasons behind her brother’s death, the main character befriends a boy named Ji Soo-heon (Park Solomon). Resembling the world of ‘Weak Hero,’ it navigates the complexities around the lives of teenagers and also the aftermath of bullying. The two stories are thematically and spiritually connected due to their social commentaries on the lives of young people.
3. Extracurricular (2020)
Netflix’s Korean drama series ‘Extracurricular’ or ‘Ingansueop’ is a complex tale of friendship and crime narrated through the experiences of Oh Jisoo (Kim Dong-Hee). The protagonist delves into the world of crime after being neglected by his parents at a young age. Facing the difficulties of youth and high school, he is befriended by Seo Min-hee (Jung Da-bin) and Bae Gyu-ri (Park Ju-hyun), who also become involved in the dangerous world of crime due to their connection with the protagonist. The challenges of vulnerable students and the world of high schools are at the core of the series written by Jin Han-sae and directed by Kim Jin-min, in ways similar to ‘Weak Hero.’ Both stories feature characters who enter into risky scenarios in order to survive harsh worlds.
2. The Glory (2022-2023)
Created by Kim Eun-sook and An Gil-ho, Netflix’s Korean psychological thriller series ‘The Glory’ or ‘Deo geullori’ chronicles the brutal experiences of a teacher named Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo), who takes up a job at a school. However, her true motivation is to gain revenge against the people who bullied her when she was a teenager. Like ‘Weak Hero,’ the tale of revenge also talks about the effects of bullying and how people get stuck in circles of violence due to the act. Both stories involve protagonists who take drastic measures to get revenge, while also dealing with their own traumas. They also use their intelligence and skills to survive in a harsh world that has always trampled on their freedom and dignity.
1. The King of Pigs (2022)
Directed by Kim Dae-jin, ‘The King of Pigs’ or ‘Dwaejiui wang’ is a Korean crime drama series written by Tak Jae Young. It follows the life of two men named Hwang Gyeong-min (Kim Dong-wook) and Jung Jong-seok (Kim Sung-kyu), whose past and present intertwine in a violent tale of bullying, serial killings, and revenge. After facing bullying as a youngster, Hwang becomes a dangerous killer, whereas Jung becomes a cop. Now they find themselves facing each other as they deal with their past in their own ways on opposite sides of the law and morality. On the lines of ‘Weak Hero,’ it navigates the emotional trauma experienced by targets of bullying. Characters in both shows seem spiritually connected due to their experiences with aggression and revenge.
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