K-Dramas set in college bring fresh romance, personal growth, and relatable struggles. From the classic campus romance to the intense rivalry between student groups, experience the diverse world of College K-Dramas with our insightful guide.
They capture the excitement of young love and the challenges of finding oneself. Here are 12 must-watch college K-Dramas that showcase heartfelt journeys in love.
1. My ID Is Gangnam Beauty
Kang Mi-rae has always been insecure about her looks. After getting plastic surgery, she hopes for a fresh start in college. However, she quickly realizes that beauty standards still control how people see her.
Do Kyung-seok, her quiet yet sincere classmate, is different. He sees beyond appearances and values her personality. While Mi-rae struggles with self-acceptance, Kyung-seok remains by her side. Their slow-growing romance feels natural. He doesn’t try to change her but supports her journey to find confidence.
Their love story isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about quiet understanding and acceptance. As Mi-rae learns to love herself, she also opens her heart to Kyung-seok. Their relationship grows from trust, making it meaningful and realistic.
2. Cheer Up
Do Hae-yi joins her university’s cheerleading squad for financial reasons, not passion? The team, filled with strong personalities, challenges her in unexpected ways. As she gets closer to them, she starts to experience friendship, teamwork, and love.
Park Jung-woo, the passionate captain, takes an interest in her. His dedication and kindness make her feel safe. Their bond starts with small gestures—encouragement, shared moments, and silent support.
As Hae-yi faces personal struggles, Jung-woo stays patient. Their feelings grow through their experiences on the team. There are misunderstandings, but they always find their way back. Their love is built on trust, showing that romance doesn’t have to be rushed.
3. Cheese in the Trap
Hong Seol is an ordinary college student trying to survive in a competitive environment. She crosses paths with Yoo Jung, a senior known for his good looks and perfect image. However, beneath his charm, there’s a mysterious side to him.
Their relationship begins with tension. Seol feels uneasy around Jung, sensing something off. Yet, he treats her kindly, making her question her assumptions. Over time, they form a complicated yet deep connection.
Seol struggles with trust, while Jung hides his emotions. Their love story isn’t simple. It’s filled with doubts, misunderstandings, and personal growth. Unlike typical romances, their journey is more about learning and healing. Their love isn’t perfect, but it feels real.
Also Read: K-Drama: The Red Flags You Can’t Ignore (Toxic Love)
4. Heartstrings (2011)
Lee Shin, a talented but cold-hearted guitarist, has no interest in love until he meets Lee Gyu-won, a cheerful and passionate traditional music student. Their relationship starts with misunderstandings and clashes, but over time, they begin to see each other in a new light.
Gyu-won’s admiration for Shin’s talent soon turns into love, but his heart is still stuck on his first crush. As they spend more time together through a school musical project, their bond grows stronger. Shin starts noticing Gyu-won’s kindness and sincerity, slowly letting go of his past feelings.
Their journey is filled with personal growth, jealousy, and sweet moments that make their love story feel real. It’s not just about romance but also about pursuing dreams and overcoming insecurities. Through music, they connect in ways they never expected, making their love story unforgettable.
5. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016)
Kim Bok-joo, a hardworking weightlifting athlete, has never really thought about romance until she develops a crush on a doctor. Her innocent attempts to impress him are both funny and relatable. But things take a turn when she reconnects with her childhood friend, Jung Joon-hyung, a playful but caring swimmer.
At first, Joon-hyung teases her like an annoying older brother. But as he watches her struggle with self-doubt and heartbreak, his feelings begin to change. He becomes her biggest supporter, always standing by her side when things get tough.
Bok-joo’s journey is not just about love but also about learning to accept herself. She realizes that she doesn’t need to change for anyone and that true love is about being accepted for who you are. Her relationship with Joon-hyung is built on friendship, trust, and a deep understanding of each other’s dreams and struggles.
6. Go Back Couple (2017)
Choi Ban-do and Ma Jin-joo are a married couple struggling with regrets and misunderstandings. They feel stuck in a life they never imagined, and their love has faded over the years. One day, they wake up to find themselves back in their 20-year-old bodies, reliving their college days.
At first, they see this as a chance to make different choices. Jin-joo meets a kind and caring sunbae who treats her well, while Ban-do starts to enjoy his youth without responsibilities. But as they spend time apart, they realize that their love was never the problem—it was life’s hardships that pushed them away.
Seeing each other from a fresh perspective, they begin to appreciate the little things they once took for granted. Their love story is about second chances and remembering why they fell in love in the first place. Through laughter, tears, and personal growth, they rediscover what truly matters.
7. Nevertheless (2021)
Love can be complicated, and “Nevertheless” proves it through Yoo Na-bi and Park Jae-eon’s relationship. Na-bi, an art student, has been through heartbreak and does not believe in love. Jae-eon, known for his charm, avoids commitment but enjoys flirting. Despite knowing his reputation, Na-bi finds herself drawn to him.
Their love story is filled with hesitation, desire, and moments of doubt. Na-bi struggles between her feelings and logic, knowing Jae-eon may never truly love her. Meanwhile, Jae-eon is forced to confront emotions he never intended to feel. As their relationship unfolds, they experience heartbreak, passion, and self-discovery.
This drama highlights the raw and often painful reality of modern relationships. It shows how attraction can blur judgment and how difficult it is to break free from someone you know is not good for you. Their journey is not just about love but also about self-worth and learning when to walk away.
8. Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)
Set in the late 1990s, “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” follows Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin as they chase their dreams and find love along the way. Hee-do is a high school student who later joins a university fencing team. She is ambitious, cheerful, and determined. Yi-jin, on the other hand, is a young man who struggles financially due to his family’s downfall. He works multiple jobs to support himself.
Their love is built on deep understanding and respect. Hee-do brings warmth and energy into Yi-jin’s difficult life, while he provides her with emotional support. Their relationship is filled with happy moments, laughter, and bittersweet challenges.
As time passes, they realize that love alone is not enough. Life pulls them in different directions, forcing them to make difficult choices. This drama beautifully portrays how young love can be strong yet fragile. It reminds viewers that sometimes, even the most meaningful relationships are not meant to last forever.
9. At a Distance, Spring is Green (2021)
College life is not just about fun and freedom—it also comes with hidden struggles. “At a Distance, Spring is Green” tells the story of Yeo Joon, Nam Soo-hyun, and Kim So-bin, three students with different backgrounds and personal issues.
Yeo Joon appears cheerful and wealthy, but deep inside, he is lonely. Soo-hyun, a hardworking senior, faces financial hardships and family burdens. So-bin is an average student who constantly doubts herself. Their paths cross, and they form an unexpected friendship that helps them grow.
Amidst academic pressure and personal pain, Yeo Joon and So-bin develop feelings for each other. Their love is sweet yet uncertain, as both carry emotional wounds that make it hard to fully trust. Soo-hyun, too, learns to open his heart in his own way.
This drama explores love as a form of healing. It shows how relationships, whether romantic or platonic, can help people overcome insecurities. It delivers a heartfelt message—love is not just about romance but also about understanding, acceptance, and emotional support.
10. Dear M
“Dear M” follows the lives of students at Seoyeon University as they search for the mysterious “M,” an anonymous writer who posted a confession on the university forum. The story centers around Ma Joo Ah, a cheerful and caring business student, and Cha Min Ho, her best friend of 12 years.
Min Ho secretly harbors feelings for Joo Ah but never finds the courage to confess. Joo Ah, on the other hand, starts to explore romantic feelings for the first time. As their friendship is tested, they navigate misunderstandings, jealousy, and the fear of ruining what they already have. Other students also experience love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, making “Dear M” a heartfelt portrayal of young romance.
11. Do You Like Brahms?
This drama tells the story of Park Joon Young, a talented pianist, and Chae Song Ah, a struggling violinist who enters music school later than others. Joon Young appears calm and reserved, but he carries deep emotional wounds. Song Ah, despite facing criticism, refuses to give up on her passion for music.
Their connection begins when Song Ah asks Joon Young for advice. Over time, their bond grows as they support each other through failures, competition, and heartbreak. Love develops, but their insecurities and past experiences make things complicated. The drama beautifully portrays the struggles of unspoken feelings, personal growth, and the bittersweet nature of love in their early twenties.
12. My First First Love
This drama follows five friends who unexpectedly end up living together. Yoon Tae Oh, a carefree college student, lets his friends stay at his house due to their personal struggles. Han Song Yi, his childhood friend, is one of them. She has always relied on him, but her feelings are complicated when she starts dating his best friend, Seo Do Hyun.
Tae Oh realizes he has feelings for Song Yi but keeps them hidden. Meanwhile, Do Hyun struggles between love and friendship. The story highlights the complexity of first love, friendship, and timing. As each character matures, they learn that love isn’t always straightforward, and sometimes, the right person comes at the wrong time.
Unleash your inner K-Drama enthusiast with our comprehensive list of must-watch College K-Dramas that will leave you wanting more.
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
