coming-of-age series
a coming of age genre is centered around the themes of youth, growing up, and maturation with a strong focus on a central character arc. this is a list of all the series with the said genre.
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1. Reply 1988
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
Take a nostalgic trip back to the late 1980s through the lives of five families and their five teenage kids living in a small neighborhood in Seoul.
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2. Twenty Five Twenty One
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
In a time when dreams seem out of reach, a teen fencer pursues big ambitions and meets a hardworking young man who seeks to rebuild his life.
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3. Our Beloved Summer
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Years after filming a viral documentary in high school, two bickering ex-lovers get pulled back in front of the camera — and into each other’s lives.
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4. Twinkling Watermelon
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
When a music-loving high school student is mysteriously transported back to the 1990s, he finds himself befriending his future father. The two play in a high school band, but their relationship is complicated when our hero's father starts crushing on a girl that's so not his future mother.
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5. Hidden Love
Chinese Drama - 2023, 25 episodes
Since high school, Sang Zhi has had a crush on Duan Jiaxu. When fate brings them together again, they find a chance to embark on a sweet relationship.
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6. When I Fly Towards You
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
Set off by a sweet chance encounter, 16-year-old Su Zaizai finds herself helplessly drawn to Zhang Lurang — her smart, charming yet distant schoolmate.
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7. Seen from a Distance, Green Spring
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
A coming of age story about young people in their twenties and the problems they face in university. Nam Soo-hyun and Yeon Joo, two boys with contrasting personalities, unexpectedly become friends when they work on a project together.
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8. A Little Thing Called First Love
Chinese Drama - 2019, 36 episodes
The story of an ordinary girl who falls head over heels for the most popular guy in school.
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9. Rookie Cops
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
A group of freshmen recruits at the prestigious Korean National Police University must deal with the rigors of their training and the challenges that lie ahead — from their pursuit of justice, to the meaning of friendship and love.
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10. The Sand Flower
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
Struggling to find success, a former wrestling prodigy finds himself ready to quit until he reencounters an old friend who reignites his passion.
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11. Castaway Diva
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
A girl who dreams of being a famous singer finds herself stranded alone on a deserted island for 15 years. When she returns to society, she's ready to pursue her dream once again, with the help of friends, both old and new.
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12. Rocket Boy Squad
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
In this heartwarming coming-of-age story, a boys badminton team that is about to be disbanded gets a second chance to succeed when a hotshot coach and his family come to town. As the boys and girls team practice their sport, they learn about life, friendship, and perseverance.
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13. Live On
Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
After receiving anonymous blackmail threats, a popular high school girl joins her school's broadcasting club in order to keep her secret hidden. She clashes with the student that runs the club, but the club members must learn to work together and deal with the high-pressure SNS environment in their school.
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14. Hello, Me !
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Miserable and unsuccessful, a woman thinks she’s lost all her spark — until one day, her spunky younger self appears in front of her demanding change.
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15. Oh My Men
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
School 2021 follows the story of several high schoolers attending a vocational school. Together they navigate hardships, have their friendships tested, and experience love for the first time
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16. Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Korean Drama - 2010, 20 episodes
In the Joseon dynasty, a female breadwinner takes a job as a substitute test-taker, but soon finds herself attending a men’s university in disguise.
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17. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
In this heartfelt coming-of-age drama, a girl on her college weightlifting team experiences all the highs and lows of her first crush, along with the challenges of being a college athlete. Luckily she's surrounded by good coaches, good friends, and a boy who loves to tease her that just might become more than a friend.
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18. Moment at Eighteen
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
In this coming-of-age drama, three eighteen-year-old students get to know each other. One student is a loner, another is stifled by family pressure, and the third acts as if he has it all together but struggles just as much as his peers as they each try to find their place in the world.
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19. Sassy Go Go
Korean Drama - 2015, 12 episodes
Despite their harsh educational environment, the cheerleading club has to keep it together for the students’ sakes, and their own.
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20. Age of Youth
Korean Drama - 2016, 12 episodes
Five female college students with contrasting personalities grow closer to each other as they reside in the same house.
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21. Dream High
Korean Drama - 2011, 16 episodes
Six high school art students navigate adulthood and romance as they train hard to become K-pop idols.
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22. My First First Love
Korean Drama - 2019, 8 episodes
A group of twenty-something college students leave their homes and move into a mutual friend's house together.