By Jae-Ha Kim
jaehakim.com
October 4, 2018
Go Nam-Soon (played by Lee Jong-Suk)
Park Heung-Soo (played by Kim Woo-Bin)
Jung In-Jae (played by Jang Na-Ra)
Kang Se-Chan (played Choi Daniel)
↑Note: Korean names denote the surname followed by the given name.
I watched this series, because I was curious to see how well Lee Jong-Suk acted early on in his career. Answer: He was very good, even in a so-so K-Drama.
“School 2013” tackles many serious topics — bullying, suicide, overbearing parents — but if you want to watch a superior film about Korean high school students, opt for “Once Upon a Time in High School.”
This series revolves around a pair of educators with very different teaching styles. In-Jae is sympathetic to her students, even when one of them literally assaults her (and his classmates — even the “good” kids — ignore her pleas for help). Meanwhile, Se-Chan has been recruited from a well-known hagwon (cram school) to lift the students’ grades up. He views his new position as a job, not a calling. Both butt heads early on in the series, with Se-Chan trying to push work he doesn’t want onto In-Jae. When the latter finally grows a spine and tells him to do it himself, the series improves.
A crucial element of the plot lies between the friendship and animosity between Nam-Soon and Heung-Soo. The two were best friends when they were younger, but Heung-Soo wants nothing to do with Nam-Soon now. The reason has to do with childhood trauma that ruined one child’s dream and turned the other into someone who could never forgive himself.
Though the beatings throughout the series were difficult to view, it was just as horrible to watch the parents in action. The way parents were depicted was interesting. There were no good parents. The fathers (who were never shown) were either absent from their children’s lives or drunkards who beat their sons. As for the mothers, they were overbearing helicopter parents who pushed their children to be the best student, regardless of cheating, lying and manipulating the school.
For much of the series, In-Jae spends her time looking meek (and weak), which is a shame. Jang Na-Ra is such a great actress and could’ve given a much stronger performance with better direction. (Go see her in “Go Back Couple” and you will see everything that she is not given the opportunity to do here).
Airdates: Sixteen hour-long episodes aired on KBS from December 3, 2012 to January 28, 2013.
Spoiler Alert:
Nam-Soon is picked on and beaten by the school bullies. Later, we learn that he was actually the best fighter in his previous school and had stopped fighting after he broke his best friend’s leg. Heung-Soo had been a promising soccer player, whose dream was to go pro. After he was scouted by a coach, he was ordered to drop out of Nam-Soon’s gang. Leaving the gang meant that he would be beaten by his fellow gang members and Heung-Soo accepted this. But out of jealousy and fear of losing his best friend, Nam-Soon went over the top. By breaking Heung-Soo’s leg, he also broke their friendship.
As expected, the pair renew their friendship. And, as also expected, the writers did a good job of manipulating viewers into rooting for the boys. But I couldn’t stop wondering about the innocent children these two had beaten, stolen money from and bullied during their younger years, and that made me keep my emotions in check.
That said, there should be room for forgiveness. No one can take away the hurt that they caused. But they can learn and grow from their horrible behavior and make a positive difference in the present (and future). And that was where Nam-Soon and Heung-Soo (as well as the other bullies) were headed.
Favorite Episode:
Ep. 13. Min-Ki, one of the best students in his class, is pressured by his overbearing mother to succeed at all costs — even if that means cheating. No longer able to deal with her expectations, Min-Ki climbs up to the roof of the school with the intent of committing suicide. In-Ae finds him and tells him that everyone thinks about wanting to die at some point in their lives. But at the point where he most wanted to die, he found the strength to not jump. And that showed incredible strength on his part. “While struggling, you did very well,” she tells him.
Suicide needs to be addressed everywhere, but especially in South Korea, where 36 citizens commit suicide every day. That the series took a stance on showing empathy for Min-Ki is huge; and it was one of the best elements of this otherwise meh series.
Loveline:
This is the first Korean series I saw where there is no loveline between any of the characters. Yes, there are some crushes that could develop. But even the teachers didn’t date. I know some fans were disappointed, but I found it refreshing.
I watched #School2013 becuz I was curious about how well Lee Jong-Suk acted early in his career. He was very good, even in this meh #KDrama that tackled bullying/suicide. But “Once Upon a Time in HS” is a better look at fictional h.s. students. My revu⏯️https://t.co/zGD5aNhICU pic.twitter.com/0c3yVpKyfH
— Jae-Ha Kim 김재하 (@GoAwayWithJae) October 4, 2018
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I loved this series too! I cried so much when they talked things out!