Boyhood (2023)
Follow the quirky journey of Jang Byungtae, a misunderstood transfer student, as he navigates life in 1989 Chungcheongnamdo.
MyDramaList Rating
Info
| Original Title | 소년시대 |
|---|---|
| Tagline | Let's go! |
| Formats | Streaming |
| Seasons | 1 |
| Episodes | 10 |
| Duration | 60 mins |
| Status | Returning Series |
| Year | 2023 |
| First Air Date | November 24, 2023 |
| Last Air Date | December 22, 2023 |
| Broadcast Day | friday |
| Network | COUPANG TV |
Trailer
Synopsis
Jang Byeong-tae is a small and weak boy living in Onyang in South Chungcheong Province. He's at the bottom of the school's social ladder and when he transfers to the neighboring Buyeo Agricultural High School, he faces an unexpected incident that becomes a turning point in his life.
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Editor's Review
Boyhood: A Roller Coaster of Comedy, Action, and 80s Nostalgia
Boyhood is a coming-of-age comedy-action school drama set in 1989 in Chungcheongnamdo. It follows a socially awkward boy from Onyang who becomes a transfer student to Buyeo, only to be misunderstood as a troublemaker overnight. This leads to various comedic and action-packed adventures.
The show takes viewers on a wild ride. The first five episodes are hilarious, but Episode 6 takes an unexpected turn, shifting from joy to tragedy. Despite the roller coaster, it keeps its comedic vibe, making viewers switch between tears and laughter.
Each character shines uniquely, especially Jang Byungtae, the once-targeted weak student who embarks on a hilarious and action-packed journey after transferring to Buyeo. Among the dramas I’ve watched this year, Jang Byungtae’s character stands out as one of my personal favorites. Quirky, funny, and relatable, he faced bullying from his childhood due to his weak physique. However, when mistaken for strength, he cleverly used it for good. Jang Byungtae’s transformation felt authentic, a gradual process mirroring the impact of a lifetime of bullying. Im Siwan’s outstanding acting, seamlessly transitioning between comedy and emotional depth, deserves every award for his portrayal of Jang Byungtae.
The second character is Jung Gyeongtae, who brings some crazy twists to the story. When he entered, I thought he was just a street-smart thug whom everyone fears, but he might actually be good at heart. However, the way he flipped in Episode 6 quickly turned him from my most favorite character to the most hated one. From that episode, I just wished him to live a nightmarish life until he dies. Lee Siwoo really nailed this character.
Two female leads, Jiyoung and Seonhwa, also play significant roles. Seonhwa is a bad bi*ch from the start, and I suspected some gold digger tendencies in her character from afar. Jiyoung was a badass queen; she was the one who encouraged Byungtae to get his revenge. I really loved her character, but she had very little screen time to explore her character. I would have loved to see more of her than Seonhwa.
Each episode of the show is engaging, and it never bores you even for a minute. My personal favorite episode is Episode 6. That was quite an insane episode, not gonna lie. The setting of the show in the 1980s is quite believable. It actually gives the feel of the 80s. The styling and setting are very appropriate for the times of the 80s. The music also helps to give you authentic vibes of the 80s.
In summary, Boyhood delivers delightful fun with its clever premise of an underdog becoming a top dog overnight, light-hearted humor, and Yim Si Wan’s flavorful acting. The ’80s vibe and the homely Chungcheong-do dialect play a significant role in seasoning the drama.