Set in the backdrop of the mid-to-late 1980s, the drama tells the story of students at an agricultural high school in Chungcheong Province. Jang Byung Tae is a small and weak boy living in Onyang in South Chungcheong Province. He is at the bottom of the school’s social ladder so he transfers to the neighboring Buyeo Agricultural High School. There, he faces an unexpected incident that becomes a turning point in his life. (Source: Soompi) Edit Translation
- English
- Português (Brasil)
- magyar / magyar nyelv
- עברית / עִבְרִית
- Native Title: 소년시대
- Also Known As: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon , Boys' Generation , Once Upon a Boyhood , Sonyeonsidae
- Director: Lee Myung Woo
- Genres: Action, Thriller, Comedy, Youth
Cast & Credits
- Yim Si WanJang Byung TaeMain Role
- Lee Sun BinPark Ji YoungMain Role
- Kang Hye WonKang Seon HwaMain Role
- Lee Si WooJung Gyeong TaeMain Role
- Kim Yun BaeYoon Young HoSupport Role
- Kim Jung JinYang Cheol HongSupport Role
Reviews
Welcome to Yim Si Wan’s masterclass in acting where he shows all of you how it’s done.
Boyhood is a painfully real, hopelessly endearing, frustratingly hilarious and achingly sad but hopeful story of a chronically bullied underdog who has finally had enough.Right off the bat, I am going to get the show's obvious flaws out of the way. You have to know that this drama is directed by the makers of The Fiery Priest and Backstreet Rookie. So, it’s already a double edged sword because it has elements of both one of the most loved (TFP) and most hated (BR) dramas.
The director’s signature is strong in this one and you can see it in the slapstick, cringe worthy comedy. Think: poop jokes, nosebleeds and awkward dancing. The secondhand embarrassment with the characters is through the roof and there is so much cringe that sometimes it’s hard to watch. Moreover, the entire drama is helmed by an extremely flawed, tragically loser, weak male lead.
Byung Tae is all over the place all the time: a scrawny cry baby, who has no pride, no self-respect- he lacks in both brains and brawn and starts off as being quite pathetic. Other than that, the show doesn’t have a super out of the box story. It’s the same bullying trope - underdog defeating the one at the top which basically means there’s a lot of pointless violence and blood involved.
To make matters even more interesting, some characters switch up mid way in the show in a way that shocks you and where you thought there would be bromance, you get bitter, blood boiling enmity.
So, considering all the flaws I just mentioned, why then should you even watch this show?
✔️ Number one reason is of course Yim Si Wan. He is an absolute powerhouse of an actor. Somehow, he was able to play this extremely complicated role of a loser and switch it up so that you start to root for his character. The acting is raw, real and absolutely riveting. There were so many times where our hero Byung Tae made me cry, laugh my ass off and hurt because I just wanted the bad things happening to him to stop. He is no way a perfect character or even likable most of the time but at the end of the day, he is the only one who has your heart.
✔️The next reason is the emotions. Surprisingly, while the in your face bits can get irritating, most of the show is actual comedy gold. It makes you laugh so hard, you’ll get abs sitting in your bed but at the same time, it hits you with all the feels too. You feel anger, pain and sadness while watching these characters go through teenage love, heartbreak, rejection and sorrow.
✔️The third reason is the female lead and the romantic potential. The female lead in this drama is an absolute boss. She is a rowdy, foul mouthed, cigarette smoking badass who can seriously whoop some ass. She is also definitely not the one who the hero is crushing on. However, she is the one who he ultimately loves (though he really does make it hard to believe). She teaches him how to stand up for himself. She teaches him his own worth. Most importantly, she makes him want to be a better person and value his life like she does. Their friendship is one of the best things of the show because of how heart warming it is.
✔️Other than that, the drama has a great music score and execution of a tried and tested story. It’s the perfect balance between light-hearted comedy, melodrama, action and slice of life.
✔️ The best thing, however, is the character development. Ultimately, the payoff is so good because Byung tae’s final victory is realistic and so incredibly satisfying. He never really changes as a person and yet, he is able to show his strength by hammering down the message that sometimes the strongest person is really the one who has been hurt the most.
Overall, the one hour episodes fly by, making it a highly entertaining watch. So, let go of your edginess, let loose your hair and bring that “singing badly in the shower” energy to watch this show.
Enjoy!
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Amazing concept
I will keep it very brief. This show is a rare concept in korean dramas, but should be much more common. With a story set in 1980s touching a important issue in a very comedical way. I couldn't get enough of it and wished there were atleast 9 more seasons. The awsome comedic style combined with the 1980s feeling made me wish it would never end. The casted actors are amazing and they lifted the show with their acting. You do not want to miss this, if you want a feel good show with some plot this show is perfect.Was this review helpful to you?