Who Are You: School 2015 (Korean: 후아유: 학교 2015; RR: Huayu: Hakgyo 2015; also known in Japan as Love Generation) is a South Korean television series, starring Kim So-hyun, Nam Joo-hyuk, and Yook Sung-jae. It aired on KBS2 from April 27 to June 16, 2015 every Monday and Tuesday at 21:55 KST for 16 episodes.[2][3] It is the sixth installment of KBS's School series which premiered in 1999.[4]
| Who Are You: School 2015 | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Teen Mystery |
| Written by | Kim Min-jung Im Ye-jin |
| Directed by | Baek Sang-hoon Kim Seong-yoon |
| Starring | Kim So-hyun Nam Joo-hyuk Yook Sung-jae |
| Composer | Gaemi |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 16 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Jung Sung-hyo Han Sung-ho |
| Producers | Lee Gun-joon Yoon Jae-hyuk |
| Cinematography | Oh Jae-sang Lee Min-woong |
| Editor | Choi Joong-won |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production companies | School 2015 Culture Industry Co., Ltd. FNC ADD CULTURE[1] |
| Release | |
| Original network | KBS2 |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
| Audio format | Dolby Digital 2.0 |
| Original release | April 27 (2015-04-27) – June 16, 2015 (2015-06-16) |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | School 2013 |
| Followed by | School 2017 |
| Related shows | Who Are You (GMM 25/Line TV, 2020) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 후아유: 학교 2015 |
|---|---|
| Revised Romanization | Huayu: Hak-gyo 2015 |
| McCune–Reischauer | Huayu: Hak-kyo 2015 |
The final episode received a 8.2% nationwide ratings.[5][6][7][8][9] it was well-received and popular overseas,it established a strong following among young viewers worldwide which led to increased recognition for its cast.[10][11][12][13]
Ko Eun-byeol and Lee Eun-bi (both played by Kim So-hyun) are identical twins, separated after one is adopted at the age of 5. Eun-bi lives at the Love House, an orphanage in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, where the younger residents look up to her as a mother figure. However, she hides the fact that she is bullied at school by a gang of mean girls led by Kang So-young, while teachers turn a blind eye.
On the other hand, Ko Eun-byeol is studying at Sekang High School, the most prestigious private high school in Seoul's Gangnam District. Eun-byeol's best friend is Han Yi-an (Nam Joo-hyuk), the school's star swimmer and is in love with her since childhood.
However, only Eun-byeol is aware of the other's existence. Unlike the cheerful Eun-bi, Eun-byeol is prickly and secretive.
Go Eun-byul and Lee Eun-bi are identical twins. Lee Eun-bi lives in an orphanage whereas Go Eun-byul, Eun-bi's twin sister lives with a woman who adopted her. Due to bullying, Eun-bi decided to end her life but she was saved by her twin sister. Eun-bi had amnesia after that. When Eun-byul's adoptive mother mistook Eun-bi as Eun-byul, she starts to assume the identity of her twin sister. Eun-byul leaves in the end to pursue her dreams whilst Eun-bi remains in the school.
A star swimmer at Sekang High School. He was great childhood friends with Go Eun-byul, and had feelings for her. He is loyal to his friends and although from a poor background, works really hard to help his father at the same time to become a national champion in swimming. He starts to question the identity of Eun-byul (who is actually Eun-bi in disguise), but as time goes by, he falls for Eun-bi unknowingly.
Described by his father an idiotic and problematic child, Gong Tae-kwang is widely known as a troublemaker in school. His father is the director of Sekang High School and his mother is a famous actress, but his classmates don't know about this. He is portrayed as a happy-go-lucky person who just wanted to cause trouble, but behind his smile, he was actually a struggling child with a painful life. He suffered a lot but everything changed when he met Lee Eun-bi and stood by her side, even when Kang So-young decided to make her life hell. He developed one sided feelings for her and confesses to her later on.
He is pricked by his guilty conscience after a massive cover-up involving the death of one of his students.
An intelligent and hardworking student who is always at the top of his class. Pressured by his study-centric mother to do well, he feels overwhelmed.
Go Eun-byul and Lee Shi-jin best friend. She is torn between staying loyal to Eun-byul and accepting So-young's friendship advances. After finding out Lee Eun-bi's real identity she also became best friends with her.
She is best friends with Go Eun-byul and Cha Sung-joo. She is jealous of her friends who seem to have a passion and tries to seek out one of her own. After finding out Lee Eun-bi's real identity she also became best friends with her.
A school bully who found pleasure in bullying Eun-bi. Her transfer to Eun-byul's school soon leads to mistrust and problems between the students.
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGB Nielsen[15] | TNmS Ratings[16] | ||||
| Nationwide | Seoul | Nationwide | Seoul | ||
| 1 | April 27, 2015 | 3.8% (NR) | 3.4% (NR) | 4.8% (NR) | 5.1% (NR) |
| 2 | April 28, 2015 | 4.2% (NR) | 3.8% (NR) | 4.8% (NR) | 4.8% (NR) |
| 3 | May 4, 2015 | 4.1% (NR) | 4.1% (NR) | 6.5% (NR) | 6.6% (NR) |
| 4 | May 5, 2015 | 5.9% (NR) | 5.7% (NR) | 6.3% (NR) | 6.8% (NR) |
| 5 | May 11, 2015 | 5.0% (NR) | 5.6% (NR) | 6.7% (NR) | 7.4% (NR) |
| 6 | May 12, 2015 | 6.0% (NR) | 6.5% (NR) | 7.1% (NR) | 7.8% (20th) |
| 7 | May 18, 2015 | 6.0% (NR) | 6.4% (NR) | 7.3% (NR) | 8.0% (NR) |
| 8 | May 19, 2015 | 6.7% (NR) | 7.2% (NR) | 7.6% (NR) | 8.0% (NR) |
| 9 | May 25, 2015 | 6.8% (NR) | 7.0% (NR) | 7.8% (19th) | 8.9% (18th) |
| 10 | May 26, 2015 | 7.1% (17th) | 7.1% (19th) | 7.4% (17th) | 8.2% (15th) |
| 11 | June 1, 2015 | 6.9% (NR) | 7.9% (NR) | 8.2% (17th) | 9.2% (15th) |
| 12 | June 2, 2015 | 7.0% (19th) | 7.6% (18th) | 8.1% (17th) | 8.9% (14th) |
| 13 | June 8, 2015 | 7.7% (19th) | 8.1% (15th) | 8.9% (16th) | 10.3% (14th) |
| 14 | June 9, 2015 | 8.1% (14th) | 8.6% (18th) | 8.6% (14th) | 9.9% (11th) |
| 15 | June 15, 2015 | 7.5% (NR) | 8.1% (18th) | 9.2% (16th) | 10.0% (12th) |
| 16 | June 16, 2015 | 8.2% (16th) | 8.5% (15th) | 9.7% (10th) | 11.7% (6th) |
| Average | 6.3% | 6.6% | 7.4% | 8.2% | |
* Note: The series aired on KBS World, two weeks after its initial broadcast, with English subtitles.
| Who are you: School 2015 OST | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
| Recorded | 2015 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Language | |
| Label | CJ E&M |
| Producer | Shim Entertainment |
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Reset" | Tiger JK feat. Jinsil | 4:02 |
| 2. | "Reset" (Inst.) | 4:02 | |
| Total length: | 8:04 | ||
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Blow Away (바람에 날려)" | Baechigi feat. Punch | 3:11 |
| 2. | "Blow Away (바람에 날려)" (Inst.) | 3:11 | |
| Total length: | 6:22 | ||
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I'll Listen to What You Have to Say (너의 얘길 들어줄게)" | Yoon Mi-rae | 3:14 |
| 2. | "I'll Listen to What You Have to Say (너의 얘길 들어줄게)" (Inst.) | 3:14 | |
| Total length: | 6:28 | ||
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Remember" | Byul | 3:37 |
| 2. | "Remember" (Inst.) | 3:37 | |
| Total length: | 7:14 | ||
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Pray (기도)" | Younha | 4:18 |
| 2. | "Pray (기도)" (Inst.) | 4:18 | |
| Total length: | 8:36 | ||
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Named (그 이름)" | Jonghyun and Taemin (SHINee) | 3:37 |
| 2. | "Named (그 이름)" (Inst.) | 3:37 | |
| Total length: | 7:14 | ||
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Return" | Wendy (Red Velvet) feat. Yuk Jidam | 3:48 |
| 2. | "Return" (Inst.) | 3:48 | |
| Total length: | 7:36 | ||
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Love Song" | Yook Sung-jae (BtoB) (feat. Park Hye-soo) | 3:25 |
| 2. | "Love Song" (Inst.) | 3:25 | |
| Total length: | 6:50 | ||
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Who are you?" (Opening Title) | Various Artists | 3:34 |
| 2. | "Akmong" | Various Artists | 2:42 |
| 3. | "Byul Bi Geurigo Eomma" | Various Artists | 4:15 |
| 4. | "Fate" | Various Artists | 3:01 |
| 5. | "Gieokhae Geurigo Saranghae" | Various Artists | 3:40 |
| 6. | "Gieoksokeuro" | Various Artists | 4:06 |
| 7. | "Hakkyopookryuk" | Various Artists | 1:22 |
| 8. | "Iljin" | Various Artists | 2:16 |
| 9. | "It's Okay" | Various Artists | 3:01 |
| 10. | "Naegen gidaeeododwae" | Various Artists | 3:22 |
| 11. | "O Gyoshi" | Various Artists | 3:35 |
| 12. | "Prayer" | Various Artists | 3:48 |
| 13. | "Who Am I?" | Various Artists | 4:09 |
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 8th Korea Drama Awards | Best New Actor | Yook Sung-jae | Nominated | [17] |
| Nam Joo-hyuk | Nominated | ||||
| Best New Actress | Cho Soo-hyang | Nominated | |||
| Star of the Year | Kim So-hyun | Won | |||
| 4th APAN Star Awards | Best New Actor | Yook Sung-jae | Nominated | ||
| Nam Joo-hyuk | Won | ||||
| KBS Drama Awards | Best New Actress | Kim So-hyun | Won | ||
| Cho Soo-hyang | Nominated | ||||
| Best New Actor | Yook Sung-jae | Nominated | |||
| Nam Joo-hyuk | Nominated | ||||
| Netizen Award, Actress | Kim So-hyun | Won | |||
| Popularity Award, Actor | Nam Joo-hyuk | Won | |||
| Best Couple Award | Yook Sung-jae and Kim So-hyun | Won | |||
| Nam Joo-hyuk and Kim So-hyun | Nominated | ||||
| 2016 | 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actor (TV) | Yook Sung-jae | Nominated | |
| 11th Soompi Awards | Breakout Actor | Nam Joo-hyuk | Won | [18] | |
| Best Bromance | Nam Joo-hyuk and Yook Sung-jae | Nominated | |||
| Best Supernatural Drama | Who Are You: School 2015 | Won | |||
| Best Drama OST | Tiger JK feat. Jinsil (Reset) | Won |
A Thai remake of the series with the title Who Are You was announced by GMMTV during their "New & Next" event last October 15, 2019 featuring Tipnaree Weerawatnodom (Namtan), Perawat Sangpotirat (Krist) and Kay Lertsittichai. Produced by GMMTV and Nar-ra-tor, it premiered on May 2, 2020 on GMM 25 and Line TV.[19][20][21]
Poor ratings of KBS Mon/Tue dramas in 2015 Healer - 8.6% Blood - 4.7% Who Are You - 6.3% I Remember You - 4.7% Eccentric Daughter-in-Law - 5% Sassy Go Go - 3.4% Oh My Venus - 8.6%