School 2021 () is a 2021 South Korean television series directed by Kim Min-tae and starred 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 youths, 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 was premiered on KBS2 on November 24, 2021 and aired every Wednesday and Thursday at 21:30 (KST) till January 13, 2022.

Synopsis
School friends helping each other overcome the barriers that come up while taking a less chosen path. In the course they learn valuable lessons about life, love, and friendship.

Cast and characters

Main
 Kim Yo-han as Gong Ki-joon, 18 years old
 Moon Woo-jin as young Gong Ki-joon
 He lost his dream of taekwondo after 11 years of training due to an injury. Member of woodworking club.
 Cho Yi-hyun as Jin Ji-won
 Park Ye-rin as young Jin Ji-won
 A bright high school girl with a resolute dream to become a carpenter. She lives in the house which is under Ki-joon's house.
 Choo Young-woo as Jung Young-joo
 Transfer student with a secret story. He looks like a quick-tempered but a warm-hearted person. 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.
 Hwang Bo-reum-byeol as Kang Seo-young
 The quiet student in the class so that she 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.
 Jeon Seok-ho as Lee Kang-hoon
 39 years old, new teacher in the Department of Architecture, he is a character who values work-life balance more than students.

Supporting

Nulgigo Architecture Design Class 2-1 
 Kim Kang-min as Ji Ho-sung
 He is serious about every dream thats keeps changing, a passionate fan of Go Eun-bi and a friendship bridge between her and Jin Ji-won
 Seo Hee-sun as Go Eun-bi 
 An idol trainee, who is a person with a wound inside. Unlike the cold and arrogant outside, there is a love and hate relationship with Kang Seo-young.
 Yoon Yi-re as Lee Jae-hee, twin sister of Lee Jae-hyuk.
 Lee Sang-joon as Lee Jae-hyuk 
 Lee Jae-hee's twin brother, nephew of the school president Gu Mi-hee, was a person who was specially treated at the school and was faithful to his wishes. Try to make the most of his favorable conditions and in the meantime by getting involved with Kang Seo-young.
 Lee Ha-eun as Jung Min-seo 
 An architecture student with clam and tender-hearted personality. An intern at Nulji Science and Technology High School, a calm and gentle person. 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, in addition to understanding how to get along well with his classmates. He is a close friend of Gong Ki-joon. 
 Kim Jin-gon as Hong Min-ki 
Second year high school student in the architectural design department. A friendly person who cares about others and believes what he hears.
 Park Ga-ryul as Jo Tae-ri, class president. A bit harsh and direct.
 Jung Ye-seo as Lee Hyo-joo
 A sophomore architecture student at Nulji Science and Technology High School. Jin Ji-won's close friend and someone who always worries about Ji-won and supports him in what he does.
 Kim Cha-yoon as Kim Myung-ah
 A sophomore in the Department of Architecture. She has a bold personality and is a straightforward person, but no one can hate her.
 Cha Joo-wan as Taekang Choi, the captain of the school's taekwondo club.

Teachers 
 Kim Kyu-seon as Song Chae-rin 
 37 years old, new professor in the Department of Architecture, who knows how to stand by the students and bump into Lee Kang-hoon.
 Lee Ji-ha as Gu Mi-hee
 54 years old, two-faced president. She's someone who values the employment rate more than the student's dream. She created a slight conflict with the students.
 Kim Min-sang as Lee Han-soo 
 50 years old, head of the Education Department, he also values employment rate more than student's dream, so secretly in conflict with students.
 Park Geun-rok as Shin Chul-min
 38 years old, a teacher who likes to hang out with children.
 Shin Cheol-jin as Oh Jang-seok, 65 years old, principal 
 Go Eun-min as Kim Young-na, 20 years old 
 Im Jae-geun as Yeo Sam-yeol, 50 years old

Families

Ki-joon's family 
 Park In-hwan as Gong Young-soo 
 70 years old, Ki-joon's grandfather. A former carpenter, he currently lives alone with his grandson Ki-joon due to family circumstances. He loves Ki-joon infinitely.

Ji-won's family 
 Kim Soo-jin as Jo Young-mi
 50 years old, Ji-won's mother, she is unhappy with Ji-won's dream.
 Jo Seung-yeon as Jin Deok-gyu
 52 years old, Ji-won's father.
 Kim Ye-ji as Jin Jin-soo
 24 years old, Ji-won's older sister.

Jung Young-joo's family 
 Bang Jae-ho as Chul Joo-jeong
 24 years old, Young-joo's older brother.
 Jo Ryeon as Kim Seon-ja
 51 years old, Young-ju and Cheol-ju's mother.

Production

Development
Originally planned to be produced in 2020 under the name School 2020 and to air in the second half of 2020, the series was delayed for completeness. The script was revised and the name was changed to School 2021.

Casting
In February 2020, Kim Yo-han was confirmed as the male lead. Ahn Seo-hyun was cast as female lead, but was removed from the series due to disagreement between her father (who also served as her talent manager at that time) and the producers. Kim Sae-ron was offered the female lead role later, but she declined.

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, it was reported that Choo Young-woo has been 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. On the same day, Mystic Story announced that Kim Kang-min also joined the cast of School 2021. On August 6, the cast lineup for teachers and families was announced. On October 13, script reading site was revealed by releasing photos.

Filming
On November 13, one of the cast member of the series was tested positive for COVID-19 and subsequently the main lead was also found positive, the production and presentation was suspended as per the guidelines.

Music
On September 24, it was reported that producers Yoon Il-sang, and artist Yoon Min-soo of Vibe, and Mamamoo's RBW Entertainment are participating in the School 2021 album production together and working on the songs. It is progressing along with the production of the drama.

Release
School 2021 was originally scheduled to be released on November 17, 2021, however, Kim Yo-han caught COVID-19 and the premiere date was postponed to November 24.

A special broadcast titled '2021, Let's Go to School!' to promote the series was aired on November 18, 2021. The production team said, "Through a special broadcast, we will present an exciting time by highlighting a fresh and refreshing story and teen romance once again."

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Ratings

Awards and nominations

See also
 School (South Korean TV series)

References

External links
  
 School 2021 at Daum 
  School 2021 at Naver 
 

2021 South Korean television series debuts
2022 South Korean television series endings
Korean Broadcasting System television dramas
Korean-language television shows
South Korean high school television series
South Korean teen dramas
Television series about teenagers
Television series by RaemongRaein
Television productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic
《학교 2021》은 2021년 11월 24일부터 2022년 1월 13일까지 방영된 KBS 2TV 수목 드라마이다.

KBS 2TV에서 방송된 시즌제 교육 드라마 《학교》의 8번째 시리즈이다.

기획의도 
치열한 입시 경쟁이 아닌 다른 길을 선택한 아이들. 모호한 경계에 놓인 열여덟 청춘들의 꿈과 우정, 설렘의 성장기

방송 시간

스페셜(미리보기) 방송 시간 추가 편성

제작진

제작사 
 킹스랜드, 래몽래인

제작

책임프로듀서 
 이정미 (KBS 드라마운영팀)

연출 
 김민태 : KBS 드라마 스페셜 《굿바이 비원》(연출)
 홍은미

극본 
 동희선
 조아라 : KBS 드라마 스페셜 《굿바이 비원》(집필)

등장인물 
 (†) 표시는 드라마 상에서 최종적으로 사망한 인물이다.

주요 인물 
 김요한 : 공기준 역 (아역: 장선율, 문우진) - 부상으로 11년을 한 태권도라는 꿈을 잃고, 무엇을 해야 할지 몰라 방황한다. 지원의 연인.
 조이현 : 진지원 역 (아역: 박예린) - 확고한 꿈을 가진 당찬 여고생으로, 진학과 관련해서도 자신의 의견을 당당하게 말한다. 기준의 연인.
 추영우 : 정영주 역 (아역 : 김정철) - 남모를 사연을 지닌 전학생. 공기준과 비밀스러운 과거를 공유한 인물. 전학오자마자 물풀에 묻은 의자에 앉아 일어나려지만 손을 책상에 잡아 일어났지만 바지가 찢어져 하의가 노출되버린다.서영의 연인.
 황보름별 : 강서영 역 - 우리나라 탑5 대학교 진학을 위해 스스로 입시 준비를 해내는 엘리트. 영주의 연인.
 전석호 : 이강훈 역 - 건축과에 새로 부임한 선생님. 학생보다는 워라밸을 중시하는 인물. 채린의 전남편. 아름의 아버지.

눌지고 건축디자인과 2학년 1반 
 김강민 : 지호성 역 - 매번 바뀌는 모든 꿈에 진심인, 긍정 갑 분위기 메이커. 은비의 연인.
 서희선 : 고은비 역 - 차갑고 도도한 외면과 달리 내면은 상처로 얼룩져 있는 아이돌 연습생. 호성의 연인.
 김누림 : 전종복 역 - 반 아이들과 두루두루 잘 지내는 ‘인싸’. 공기준의 절친. 경험도 많고 보고 들은 것도 많은 2학년 1반의 공식 정보통. 재희의 연인.
 이상준 : 이재혁 역 - 이재희와 쌍둥이 남매. 함께 학교에서 특별 대우를 받고 있다. 욕망에 솔직해 자신이 가진 유리한 조건을 최대한 활용하려고 하며, 그 와중에 현실적이고 당돌한 성격의 강서영과 얽힌다.
 윤이레 : 이재희 역 - 이재혁과 쌍둥이 남매. 종복의 연인.
 이하은 : 정민서 역 - 차분하고 여린 심성의 인물. 극 초반부 실습 현장에서 실수로 벌어진 일로 인해 남모를 좌절을 겪는다.
 정예서 : 이효주 역 - 진지원의 절친. 곁에서 항상 지원이 하는 일을 걱정하고 응원해준다
 박가률 : 조태리 역 - 학급 회장. 살짝 까칠하고 직설적이다.
 김진곤 : 홍민기 역 - 남의 일에 관심이 많은데 팔랑귀라 듣는 대로 믿는 경우가 많다.

눌지고 교무실 
 김규선 : 송채린 역 - 누구보다도 학생들을 위하는 따듯한 선생님이지만 그와 동시에 지극히 현실적인 태도를 지닌 인물. 비슷한 듯 다른 가치관을 가진 이강훈과 충돌한다. 강훈의 전처. 아름의 어머니.
 이지하 : 구미희 역 - 양면의 얼굴을 가진 이사장. 학생들의 꿈보다는 취업률을 중요시하는 인물로, 학생들과 은근하게 갈등을 빚는다.
 김민상 : 이한수 역 - 이사장 구미희의 그림자이자 욕망의 발톱을 지닌 교무부장.
 박근록 : 신철민 역 - 아이들과 어울리는 것 좋아하는 한량 선생님. 대학 때 같은 동아리였던 인연으로, 강훈에게 눌지고의 교사 채용 소식을 알려준 인물이다.
 신철진 : 오장석 역 - 잘못된 것들이 안 보이는 건 아닌데.. 얼마 남지 않은 정년퇴임까지 모르는 척 버티기가 쉽지 않다.
 고은민 : 김영나 역 - 교무부장 이한수에게도 할 말은 하는 열혈 교사.
 임재근 : 여삼열 역 - 가늘고 길게 아무 일 없이 살고 싶은 무사안일주의 교사.

기준이네 가족들 
 박인환 : 공영수 역 (†) - 공기준의 할아버지. '손자 바보'로 따뜻한 감성을 가진 인물이다. 손자 기준을 비롯해 학생들을 마음으로 품어준다. (1회 ~ 12회)

지원이네 가족들 
 조승연 : 진덕규 역 - 진지원, 진지수의 아버지. 가족의 평화가 가장 중요한 인물.
 김수진 : 조용미 역 - 진지원, 진지수의 어머니. 맏딸 지원의 꿈이 못마땅해 사사건건 부딪힌다.
 김예지 : 진지수 역 - 진지원의 친언니.

영주네 가족들 
 서재우: 정철주 역 - 영주의 형. 거동이 불편해, 별이식당의 일을 돕고 있다. 영주가 전학 간 학교에서 사고치진 않을까 걱정스럽다.
 조련 : 김선자 역 - 영주, 철주의 엄마. 지방에서 목수일을 하고 있는 남편을 두고, 두 아들을 키우고 있다. 학교 인근에서 분식집 별이식당을 운영하고 있다.

강훈네 가족 
 노하연 : 이아름 역 - 강훈과 채린의 딸

그 외 인물 
 차주완 : 최태강 역
 박정언 : 학부모 역
 미상 : 소장 역
 미상 : 이강훈의 학교 선배 역
 미상 : 인부 역
 미상 : 김근미 역
 미상 : 차경민 역
 미상 : 구병철 역
 미상 : 경찰 역

특별출연 
 이칸희 : 기준의 모친 역 (16회)

시청률

수상 목록 
 2021년 KBS 연기대상 남자 신인상 김요한
 2021년 KBS 연기대상 베스트 커플상 김요한&조이현

각주

외부 링크 

2021년 드라마
2022년 드라마
2020년대 대한민국의 텔레비전 프로그램
한국방송공사 청소년 드라마
학교 8
고등학교를 배경으로 한 드라마
교사를 주인공으로 한 텔레비전 드라마
속편 텔레비전 드라마
2021년에 시작한 대한민국 TV 프로그램
2022년에 종료한 대한민국 TV 프로그램