Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Who Are You: School 2015, which delivers a captivating story about twin sisters, identity swaps, and the harsh realities of school bullying wrapped in an emotional mystery that kept viewers guessing until the final episodes.
Who Are You: School 2015 premiered on April 27, 2015, and concluded on June 16, 2015, featuring 16 episodes with an average runtime of 60 minutes each. This mystery school drama series is currently available on Netflix, Viki, and various streaming platforms. As the sixth installment of KBS’s legendary School series that began in 1999, the show tackles serious issues like bullying, suicide attempts, and identity crisis while maintaining the franchise’s reputation for launching new stars. The series achieved strong international recognition and helped establish Kim So-hyun, Nam Joo-hyuk, and Yook Sung-jae as rising stars in the Korean entertainment industry.
The drama combines elements of mystery, romance, and social commentary, creating a unique entry in the School series that differs from its predecessors by focusing more on individual identity and personal relationships rather than purely academic pressures and friendships.
Lee Eun Bi’s Journey from Victim to Fighter
Kim So-hyun delivers a dual performance as both Lee Eun Bi and Go Eun Byul, twin sisters separated at birth who couldn’t be more different. As Eun Bi, she portrays a bullied orphan whose life becomes so unbearable that she attempts suicide, only to lose her memory and accidentally assume her missing twin sister’s identity. Who Are You: School 2015 uses this identity swap to explore themes of self-worth, resilience, and the power of starting over.
Kim So-hyun’s portrayal of Eun Bi’s transformation from a broken, timid victim to someone who learns to stand up for herself is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her character’s journey shows how a change of environment and genuine friendships can help someone rediscover their strength and value.
The Love Triangle That Defined a Generation
Nam Joo-hyuk as Han Yi An and Yook Sung-jae as Gong Tae Kwang create one of K-drama’s most memorable love triangles, both falling for the girl they believe is Eun Byul but is actually Eun Bi. Yi An represents the loyal childhood friend who notices subtle changes in his supposed best friend’s behavior, while Tae Kwang becomes the protective bad boy who sees through the facade and falls for Eun Bi’s true self.
The chemistry between all three leads drives much of Who Are You: School 2015‘s emotional impact, with both male characters offering different types of support and understanding that Eun Bi desperately needs. Their contrasting approaches to love and friendship create compelling dynamics that keep viewers invested in the romantic outcome.
When Truth and Lies Collide at School
The most intense moments arrive when Eun Bi’s carefully constructed new life begins unraveling as classmates, teachers, and friends start noticing inconsistencies in her behavior and memories. These revelation scenes in Who Are You: School 2015 masterfully build tension while exploring how identity is more than just appearance – it’s shaped by experiences, relationships, and personal choices.
The drama expertly handles the psychological complexity of living someone else’s life while dealing with memory loss, showing how truth has a way of surfacing even when buried under layers of deception and confusion.
Supporting Characters That Drive the Mystery
The ensemble cast including Jo Soo-hyang as Kang So-young, the main antagonist whose bullying drives the central conflict, and Lee Pil-mo as the caring teacher who becomes suspicious of the identity swap, adds layers of complexity to the central mystery. Each supporting character serves a specific purpose in either helping or hindering Eun Bi’s journey, creating realistic school dynamics that feel authentic rather than contrived.
These characters represent different aspects of the school environment – from mean girl bullies to protective friends to observant adults – all contributing to the tension and eventual resolution of the identity mystery.
Success on Netflix and School Series Legacy
Who Are You: School 2015 achieved strong international success on Netflix and other streaming platforms, with the final episode reaching 8.2% nationwide ratings in Korea. The series successfully revitalized the School franchise by introducing mystery elements while maintaining the signature focus on youth issues that made the series famous. The drama’s global popularity helped launch the careers of its three main stars, with Nam Joo-hyuk and Kim So-hyun becoming major names in Korean entertainment. Who Are You: School 2015 proved that the School series could evolve and adapt while staying true to its core mission of addressing real problems facing Korean students.
A Must-Watch Mystery for School Drama Fans
If you love mystery-driven plots and emotional love triangles, Who Are You: School 2015 is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The drama combines compelling character development with genuine suspense, creating an unforgettable viewing experience that tackles serious social issues while delivering romance and friendship.
Why This Identity-Swapping Drama Stands Out
Positive Points:
- Kim So-hyun’s outstanding dual performance showcasing incredible range and emotional depth
- Well-developed love triangle that avoids typical clichés and stereotypes
- Serious treatment of bullying and suicide attempts with meaningful social commentary
- Strong mystery elements that maintain suspense throughout the series
- Excellent chemistry between all cast members creating believable relationships
Negative Points:
- Some plot conveniences in the identity swap setup strain believability
- Certain bullying storylines may be triggering for sensitive viewers
- Romance occasionally overshadows the more serious social issues being addressed
- Supporting character development feels rushed in later episodes
- Resolution of some mysteries feels somewhat predictable in hindsight
Who Are You: School 2015 demonstrates that the best school dramas can tackle difficult subjects while providing hope, showing that even in our darkest moments, we can find the strength to rebuild our lives.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 16 episodes (completed)
- Platform: Netflix, Viki, iQIYI, various streaming services
- Release Year: 2015
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Genre: Mystery, Romance, School Drama, Coming-of-Age
- Production Type: K-Drama (South Korean Drama)
- Status: Completed series (sixth installment of KBS School series)
- Main Protagonists: Kim So-hyun (Lee Eun Bi/Go Eun Byul), Nam Joo-hyuk (Han Yi An), Yook Sung-jae (Gong Tae Kwang)
- Antagonist: Kang So-young (Jo Soo-hyang) and the bullying culture at Sekang High School