November 24, 2021 (2021-11-24)– January 13, 2022 (2022-01-13)
School 2021 (Korean:학교 2021) is a 2021 South Korean television series directed by Kim Min-tae and starring Kim Yo-han, Cho Yi-hyun, Choo Young-woo and Hwang Bo-reum-byeol. It is the eighth installment of KBS2's School franchise. The series tells the story of 18 students who choose a path rather than an entrance examination. It depicts their growing period of dreams, friendship, and excitement as they struggle through the undefined boundaries. It premiered on KBS2 on November 24, 2021 and aired every Wednesday and Thursday at 21:30 (KST) until January 13, 2022.
Synopsis
A group of high school students who have chosen vocational paths instead of preparing for university entrance exams help one another overcome obstacles, learning about life, love and friendship along the way.
Transfer student with a secret story. He appears quick-tempered but is warm-hearted. Young-joo has tangled relationship with Ki-joon due to past events. He and Seo-young made an agreement to pretend to be a couple but, later on, has a crush on Ji-won.
A quiet student in school who is mistaken for conceit. She prepares for entrance examination on her own to enter in any of the top five universities in South Korea because she wants to get the scholarship and lighten the load of the orphanage's people. After making the couple agreement with Young-joo, she secretly falls in love with him.
Ho-sung is a student who acts serious about every dream that keeps changing. A passionate fan of Go Eun-bi, he strives to balance the friendship between her and Jin Ji-won.
Seo Hee-sun as Go Eun-bi
A cold aspiring singer who maintains a love-hate relationship with Kang Seo-young.
Yoon Yi-re as Lee Jae-hee, Lee Jae-hyuk's twin sister.
Lee Jae-hee's twin brother, nephew of the school president Gu Mi-hee, is a boy who acts faithful to his wishes. He tries to make the most of his favorable conditions by getting involved with Kang Seo-young.
Lee Ha-eun as Jung Min-seo
A calm architecture student with tender heart and intern at Nulji Science and Technology High School. She unintentionally caused an accident at work which made her contemplate taking her own life but not before writing a letter referencing Hanna Dains' poem.
Kim Nu-rim as Jong-bok
A sophomore in the architecture department of Nulji Science and Technology High School. He gets along well with his classmates, including Gong Ki-joon.
Kim Jin-gon as Hong Min-ki
A friendly second-year high school student in the architectural design department, Min-ki cares about others and believes what he hears.
Park Ga-ryul as Jo Tae-ri, class president who is a bit harsh and speaks directly.
Jung Ye-seo as Lee Hyo-joo
A sophomore architecture student at Nulji Science and Technology High School who is Jin Ji-won's close friend. She always worries about Ji-won and supports her in what she does.
Kim Cha-yoon as Kim Myung-ah
A bold and straight-forward sophomore in the Department of Architecture.
Cha Joo-wan as Choi Tae-kang, captain of the school's taekwondo club.
The series was originally planned to air in 2020 under the title School 2020, but its production and broadcast were postponed after a dispute arose over the departure of its original female lead. The project was later reworked and retitled School 2021. Shortly before its premiere, the production company SR Pictures filed for an injunction against the series' production companies, Kingsland and RaemongRaein, over a contract dispute; the production companies maintained that School 2021 was unrelated to their earlier agreement with SR Pictures.
Casting
In February 2020, Kim Yo-han was confirmed male lead. Ahn Seo-hyun was initially set as the female lead, but her casting fell through in March 2020 amid conflicting statements from her side and the production company. Later, Kim Sae-ron was offered the female lead role, but rejected.
In April 2021, Kim Young-dae and Cho Yi-hyun joined the cast. On June 21, casting of the four main characters was confirmed. On July 15, it was reported that Kim Young-dae has dropped out of the series. On July 23, it was officially announced that Kim Young-dae withdrew. On July 27, Choo Young-woo was offered the role of transfer student, which originally Kim Young-dae was playing. On July 28, it was reported that Choo Young-woo officially joined.
On August 5, it was announced by Kurznine Entertainment that Seo Hee-sun would debut as an idol trainee in the series. At the same time, Mystic Story announced that Kim Kang-min also joined the cast of School 2021. The next day, August 6, the cast line-up for teachers and families was announced. On October 13, script-reading site was revealed by releasing photos.
Filming
On November 13, 2021, after one of the cast members tested positive for COVID-19, the production and presentation of School 2021 were suspended.
Music
On September 24, it was reported that producers Yoon Il-sang, artist Yoon Min-soo of Vibe, and Mamamoo's RBW Entertainment were participating in the School 2021 album production together and working on the songs.
Release
School 2021 was originally scheduled to premiere on November 17, 2021. However, it postponed to November 24 after Kim Yo-han tested positive for COVID-19.
A special broadcast titled 2021, Let's Go to School! to promote the series was aired on November 18.
↑Jung, Hye-yoon (June 21, 2021). 김요한→김영대, '학교 2021' 주연 캐스팅... 올 하반기 방송[공식][Official: Kim Yohan and Kim Young-dae confirmed lead actors of 'School 2021', scheduled to premiere the second half of this year]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021– via Naver.
↑Shim, Eun-kyul (June 21, 2021). 김요한·김영대·조이현·황보름별, '학교 2021' 주연 캐스팅 [공식][Official: Kim Yo-han, Kim Young-dae, Jo Yi-hyeon, and Hwang Bo-reum-byeol confirmed cast for 'School 2021' Cast]. SPOTV News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021– via Naver.
↑Kim, Na-yeol (November 5, 2021). 학교 2021' 문우진, 김요한 어린 시절 役 확정... 17일 첫 방송 [공식][Official: Moon Woo-jin and Kim Yo-han confirmed main cast of School 2021, scheduled to premiere on November 17]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021– via Naver.
↑Lee, Chang-hyu (September 10, 2021). '승리호' 박예린, 조이현 아역으로 '학교 2021' 합류 [공식입장][Park Ye-rin plays young Jo Yi-hyun in 'School 2021']. Xportnews (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021– via Naver.
↑Kim, Jin-seok (July 27, 2021). [단독]추영우, 김영대 빈자리 꿰찼다... '학교 2021' 주연[Exclusive: Choo Young-woo and Kim Young-dae cast in 'School 2021'] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021– via Naver.
↑Hwang, Soo-yeon (June 21, 2021). 황보름별, '학교2021' 캐스팅..김요한·김영대와 호흡 [공식입장][Official: Hwang Bo-reum-byul joins Kim Yo-han and Kim Young-dae in 'School 2021']. Xportnews (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021– via Daum.
↑Kim, Min-ji (June 21, 2021). [단독] 대세 전석호, '학교 2021' 주연 합류... 선생님 변신[Exclusive: Jeon Seok-ho becomes homeroom teacher of the lead casts in 'School 2021']. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021– via Naver.
12Kim, Min-ji (August 5, 2021). 학교 2021', 김요한·추영우·조이현·황보름별·김강민·서희선 라인업 확정[Kim Yo-han, Choo Young-woo, Jo Yi-hyun, Hwang Bo-reum-byul, Kim Kang-min, Seo Hee-sun confirmed to star in 'School 2021']. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021– via Naver.
↑Kim, Yang-soo (June 22, 2021). 신예 윤이레, '학교2021' 캐스팅... 김요한·김영대·조이현 호흡[Rookie actress Yoon Yi-re joins Kim Yo-han, Kim Young-dae, and Lee Hyun-jo in 'School 2021']. JoyNews24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
↑Kim, Ji-won (August 13, 2021). [공식] '유망주' 이하은, '학교2021' 출연 확정[Official: Actress Lee Ha-eun confirmed to appear in 'School 2021']. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021– via Naver.
↑Moon, Ji-yeon (August 11, 2021). [공식] 신예 김누림, '학교2021' 합류... 김요한·추영우와 호흡[Official: Rookie actress Kim Nu-rim joins Kim Yohan and Choo Young-woo in 'School 2021']. Sports Chosun (in Korean). ChosunMedia. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021– via Naver.
↑Lee, Yoon-hee (November 25, 2021). 학교 2021' 김진곤 "첫 지상파, 뿌듯하고 영광[Kim Jin-gon is looking forward to the broadcast of 'School 2021']. TV Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021– via Naver.
↑Choi, Na-young (November 24, 2021). '학교 2021' 박가률, 스노우볼엔터테인먼트와 전속계약 체결 [공식][Official: 'School 2021' actress Park Ga-ryul signs exclusive contract with Snowball Entertainment]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021– via Naver.
↑Jeon, Jae-kyung (August 26, 2021). 정예서, KBS 새 드라마 '학교 2021' 합류[Jeong Ye-seo joins KBS new drama 'School 2021'] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021– via Naver.
↑Kim, Soo-jung (November 2, 2021). 김차윤, '학교 2021' 출연...서희선과 앙숙 케미[Kim Cha-yoon will appear in 'School 2021']. Xportnews (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021– via Naver.
↑Moon, Ji-yeon (November 15, 2021). [공식] '신예' 차주완, 헬로우월드엔터 전속계약→'학교2021' 합류[Official: Rookie Cha Joo-wan cast in 'School 2021' after signing an exclusive contract with Hello World Entertainment]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). ChosunMedia. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021– via Naver.
12345Shim, Eom-kyung (August 6, 2021). 학교 2021' 박인환→전석호, 교사·학부모 라인업 합류[공식][Official: Park In-hwan and Jeon Seok-ho cast in 'School 2021']. SPOTV News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
↑Lee, Kyung-ho (July 25, 2021). [단독]박인환, KBS '학교2021' 합류..김요한 할아버지 된다[[Exclusive] Park In-hwan plays Kim Yo-han's grandfather in KBS drama 'School 2021']. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2021– via Naver.
↑Yoo, Byung-cheol (November 24, 2021). 김예지, KBS2 '학교2021' 합류... 조이현과 현실 자매 케미 예고[Kim Ye-ji plays Jin Ji-won [Jo Yi-hyun]'s older sister in 'School 2021'] (in Korean). Korea Economy TV. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021– via Naver.
↑Ahn, Eun-jae (November 11, 2020). '학교2021' 김요한, 男 주인공 출연 확정... 내년 상반기 방영[공식][Official Kim Yo-han confirmed male lead in 'School 2021', scheduled to premiere in the first half of next year]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
↑Jo, Hye-ryun (February 4, 2020). 김요한 "확정"·안서현 "긍정 검토"... '학교 2020' 라인업 윤곽 [종합][Rumors of 'School 2020' line-up: Kim Yo-han confirmed, Ahn Seo-hyun in talks]. TV Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
↑Park, So-hyun (March 20, 2020). '학교2020' 안서현 캐스팅 번복→김새론 물망... "출연논의중 불발"[공식입장][After Ahn Seo-hyun casting overturn, Kim Sae-ron rejects due to failure during lead discussion over female lead role]. SPOTV News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
↑Choi, Bo-ran (April 1, 2021). "[단독] 조이현, '학교2021' 히로인...김요한·김영대와 대세 라인업 구축(종합)"[Exclusive: 'School 2021' line-up confirmed, with Cho Yi-hyun joining Kim Yo-han and Kim Young-dae as female lead]. YTN (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
↑Tae, Yu-na (July 23, 2021). [공식] KBS 측 "김영대, '학교 2021' 일방적 하차" (전문)[Official: Kim Young-dae withdrew from 'School 2021' line-up]. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021– via Naver.
↑Son, Jin-ah (July 27, 2021). 추영우, 김영대 빈자리 채울까 "'학교2021' 출연 긍정 검토" (공식)[Choo Young-woo in talks of replacing Kim Young-dae as the male deuteragonist in 'School 2021']. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021– via Naver.
↑Ahn, So-yoon (August 5, 2021). 서희선, '아이돌 연습생'으로 데뷔...'학교 2021' 합류[Seo Hee-sun joins 'School 2021' as Kpop singer trainee] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021– via Naver.
↑Hwang, Soo-yeon (August 5, 2021). '슬의생2' 김강민, '학교 2021' 캐스팅 [공식입장][Official: 'Hospital Playlist 2' actor Kim Kang-min cast in 'School 2021']. Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021– via Naver.
↑Baek, Seung-hoon (August 6, 2021). '학교 2021' 박인환→전석호, 교사·학부모 라인업 합류[공식][Confirmed: 'School 2021' completes line-up with Park In-hwan (teacher) and Jeon Seok-ho (parent)] (in Korean). Naver. Newsis. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
↑Bae, Hyo-joo (November 14, 2021). '학교 2021' 김요한 코로나19 돌파 감염 "첫방송 24일로 연기"[공식입장][Official: 'School 2021' postponed to November 24 due to Kim Yo-han being tested positive for COVID-19]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
↑Ha, Ji-won (November 14, 2021). '학교 2021' 김요한, 코로나19 확진→첫방 24일로 연기 [공식입장 전문]['School 2021' postponed broadcast to November 24 after Kim Yo-han tested positive for COVID-10]. Xportnews (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
↑Han, Hae-seon (November 17, 2021). '학교 2021' 18일(내일) 스페셜 방송 '2021, 학교 가자!' 편성['School 2021' gains a special broadcast titled '2021 Let's Go to School!']. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021– via Naver.
↑학교 2021 OST Part.1[School 2021 OST Part 1]. Melon. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
↑학교 2021 OST Part.2[School 2021 OST Part 2]. Melon. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
↑학교 2021: 시청률[School 2021: ratings]. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021– via Naver.
↑Woo, Da-bin (January 1, 2022). 'KBS 연기대상' 지현우 대상 수상... '신사와 아가씨' 6관왕 쾌거 [종합][KBS Drama Awards: Ji Hyun-woo Receives Grand Prize, while the cast of 'Young Lady and Gentlemen' receive 6 splendid achievements]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Hankook Ilbo, Co. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022– via Naver.
↑Jung Ji-hyun (December 31, 2021). 김요한·나인우·로운, 신인상 수상 [2021 KBS 연기대상][2021 KBS Drama Awards: Kim Yohan, Na In-woo, and Ro-woon receive Rookie of the Year Award]. MyDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022– via Naver.
↑Jung, Ji-hyun (December 31, 2021). 박규영·이세희·정수정, 신인상 공동 수상 [2021 KBS 연기대상][2021 KBS Drama Awards Park Gyu-young, Lee Se-hee, and Jung Soo-jeong, jointly awarded the Rookie of the Year Award]. MyDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2022– via Naver.
↑Jung, Ji-hyun (December 31, 2021). 이이경·최대철·금새록·함은정, 조연상 수상 [2021 KBS 연기대상][2021 KBS Drama Awards: Lee Yi-kyung, Choi Dae-cheol, Geum Sae-rok, and Ham Eun-jung received Best Supporting Actor]. MyDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022– via Naver.
↑Kwon, Hyun-jin (December 31, 2021). KBS 연기대상 '베스트 커플상'[KBS Drama Awards: Best Couple Award]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021– via Naver.
↑Lee, Seul-bi (August 31, 2022). 김혜수→이준호 '2022 APAN STAR AWARDS' 수상 후보 공개[Kim Hye-soo and Lee Jun-ho nominated for APAN Star Awards]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Dong-A Ilbo, Co. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022– via Naver.