Extracurricular

Extracurricular is a gripping South Korean drama series that Netflix launched globally in 2018. It plays out over ten episodes, managing to be an intelligent, breathtaking exploration of teenage life, but also a dramatic reflection on the darker aspect of youth culture. Full of complexities, it delves into numerous social issues that present an absorbing unraveling of its characters’ lives, blending themes of crime, survival, and moral predicaments affecting the younger generations.

Presenting a unique twist to the traditional high school drama tropes, Extracurricular focuses on the life of Oh Ji-soo, a seemingly ordinary high school senior. He is characterized as introverted, studious, non-social, and seemingly in a world of his own. However, away from his academic facade, Ji-soo is involved in a precarious secret illicit activity that pushes the line between morality and survival. His double life serves as the perfect engine to drive a narrative that is brimming with suspense, consequence, and moral-questioning.

The character of Ji-soo, brilliantly portrayed by the young actor Kim Dong-hee, successfully embodies the pressures of a young individual with a pile of problems on his plate, including financial woes, educational pressures, and the struggle of his secret crime business. His life turns haywire with the unexpected involvement of Bae Gyu-ri, a fellow student who stumbles upon his secret.

Bae Gyu-ri, portrayed by the charismatic Park Ju-hyun, is his polar opposite. She is born privileged, intelligent, confident, and throws herself into the worrisome secret side of Ji-Soo's life, out of curiosity more than anything else. Over the course of the series, she becomes an equal partner in Ji-soo's extracurricular activity, turning their relationship into something more complex.

In the backdrop of this tandem, there are other richly realized characters that fill the universe of Extracurricular, proving that no one character or story exists in isolation. A minor gangster, Mr. Lee (played by Choi Min-soo), injects another level of threat and raw reality into the narrative. Similarly, Seo Min-hee, a girl leading a double life as a student and a worker in Ji-Soo's business, further depicts the bleak landscape that some youngsters have to navigate.

Impressively, Extracurricular succeeds in walking a thin tightrope; it does not condone or mourn its characters' choices but lays them bare to stoke discussions. The narrative arc is intelligently designed to explore the motivations behind the characters' choices and their subsequent repercussions, making it a thought-provoking series.

Skilfully directed by Kim Jin-min, known for his other works like 'Lawless Lawyer' and 'The Time Between Dog and Wolf', and written by Jin Han-sae, the show is a forceful fusion of high school series and crime thriller. The series expertly grapples with a darker, grittier narrative as opposed to similar genre productions and is willing to expose its characters to gloomier scenarios.

The artistry of the series is also apparent in the cinematography, which treats us to an array of visually striking scenes. Moreover, the striking performances are heightened by a multilayered script that's full of complexity and ambiguity, leaving the viewer in a constant state of guessing and rethinking. It can also call upon dark humor that provides a momentary relief without diffusing the tension that runs consistently throughout.

Although Extracurricular is a Korean series, it effectively taps into universal themes and situations that viewers globally can resonate with. It expertly captures the anxious scramble of adolescence, the pressure to conform, simultaneous feelings of alienation and the yearning for independence, making it a compelling watch.

Extracurricular ensures that viewers will remain on the edge of their seats with its thoughtfully placed plot twists, where personal choices and consequences take center-stage in this intense high school drama. It's undoubtedly a social commentary on the hidden struggles and pressures that this generation of students faces globally. So whether you're a fan of the high school drama genre, juggling between various series on Netflix's list, or in search of a fresh perspective on familiar themes, Extracurricular ably delivers on all fronts, prompting discussions about aspects of teenage life often overlooked or quickly dismissed.

In conclusion, Extracurricular offers a thrilling ride brimming with suspense, dilemmas, and hard-hitting realities. It is engaging, keeps you guessing, and provokes thought, emerging as a definite must-watch series available on Netflix. As each episode unfolds, you're invited to absorb, reflect on these circumstances, while also appreciating the depth of character development and story progression that makes this series a standout. Without a doubt, Extracurricular is a masterstroke and a testament to the potential of Korean drama material on a global stage.