'Who Are You' to deal with mysteries of youth

The cast members of "Who Are You — School 2015" pose at the press conference at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, Wednesday. From left are Lee Pill-mo, Yook Sung-jae, Kim So-hyun and Nam Ju-hyuk.
/ Courtesy of Hankook Ilbo

By Kwon Ji-youn

"Who Are You -- School 2015" is dedicated to present-day 18-year-olds who must endure the hardships of high school before finally arriving into adulthood.

The sixth in broadcaster KBS's "School" series, "Who Are You" will focus on the worries of schoolgirls and the struggles of their homeroom teacher as he strives to protect them.

"Everyone was once 18 and a high school student," producer Baek Sang-hoon said during a press conference at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, Wednesday.

"This drama will seek to reflect the practical troubles of youth today as they turn their backs on each other during one of the most tumultuous stages of their lives."

"Who Are You," to star Kim So-hyun, Nam Ju-hyuk, Yook Sung-jae and Lee Pill-mo, among others, is about an 18-year-old schoolgirl, whose life is turned upside down when she goes from outcast to queen bee after suffering significant memory loss. Kim will appear in a double role _ as both Lee Eun-bi, a victim of school violence at one prestigious high school, and Ko Eun-byeol, one of the most popular girls at another.

"Both my characters are very optimistic and strong-willed," Kim said. "But they have painful secrets that they must somehow rise above. I will need to build on the characters as the story progresses."

Kim, who decided homeschooling would be best following her graduation from middle school, said acting the part of an outcast was emotionally draining.

"After scenes in which my character was bullied, I couldn't stop crying even after the director had given me the cut sign," Kim said. "I can't quite imagine what it would be like to become a real victim of school violence."

"Who Are You" is unlike the other "School" productions in that it has added a touch of mystery to its classroom genre.

"We hope to add some suspense to the plot, as well as include romance among the three main characters," Baek said. "We wondered whether youth and mystery would work well together but I was reminded that youth itself is a mystery."

Though a number of dramas have dealt with school violence, the plights of characters in "Who Are You" will originate solely because of their relationships, not from the bickering among adults in a world where youth does not belong.

"It'll be about students, their parents and teachers who must coexist in a classroom setting," Baek said firmly. "But we will be sure to add flavor to the plot so as to keep viewers absorbed."

Yook Sung-jae, a member of boyband BTOB, said he will do his best not the mar the achievements of other idol-turned-actors with acting that is convincing and natural.

"My character in ‘Who Are You' is 120 percent me," Yook assured.

The "School" series, which has given birth to some of the country's most adored actors, began in 1999. The first dealt with corporal punishment and runaway teenagers with a cast that included An Jae-mo, Jang Hyuk and Choi Kang-hee.

The second series aired later that year and boasted an equally impressive line-up, including Kim Rae-won, Kim Min-hee and Ha Ji-won. "School 3," which aired in 2000, featured Park Gwang-hyun and Zo In-sung, and the cast for "School 4" the following year included Lim Soo-jung.

"School 2013," marked a successful return of the "School" series after more than 10 years to put actors Kim Woo-bin and Lee Jong-suk on the hallyu (Korean wave) map.

The first episode of "Who Are You _ School 2015" will air on Monday at 10 p.m.

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