Học Đường, School (2017)

School 2017 has been able to maintain a steady rating of 4.2% (according to AGB Nielsen) for its recent episodes, despite the controversies surrounding it prior to its airing. This indicates that the show still has a loyal audience. So, what has kept these viewers engaged with School 2017?

Perhaps the first advantage of School 2017 is its relatability to the audience. While School 2013 focused on the issue of school violence, which helped establish the fame of Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin, and School 2015 explored a complicated love story between twin sisters, School 2017 tackles a social issue that is not new but remains relevant - the pressure of exams and academic performance weighing heavily on the shoulders of final year students. The expectations of parents and teachers, as well as the societal prejudices, force these students to sacrifice their last moments of enjoyment as high school students, lest they become college dropouts - subjects of ridicule and mockery. Watching School 2017 reminds us of the drama God Of Study, which once stirred up the small screen in Korea. Both feature a group of rebellious students and their struggles and anxieties in their final year. However, School 2017 approaches the audience with a more humorous and cheerful storyline. Here, the female lead, Ra Eun Ho, does not need to excel academically; she can enter a prestigious Korean university solely based on her talent for creating webtoons. Ra Eun Ho is always an optimistic and radiant character, keeping the viewers' minds at ease and in a state of comfort while watching the show.

Overall, School 2017's relatability and light-hearted approach have captivated its audience, making them stay on this journey with the show.