‘Sky Castle,’ an exclusive Korean drama aired on Netflix in 2018, is a paragon with a perfect blend of suspense, thriller, comedy, and mystery. The series is not just a cliché-rich housewives’ drama; it tackles sensitive issues such as mental health, exam stress, a flawed education system, parental expectations, and family dynamics. Characters are diverse and develop well through the course of the show.  At its core, the series is a highly acclaimed K-drama that depicts a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of ambition, social pressure, and how parents grow up to truly understand their kids.

Directed by: Jo Hyun-tak  

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery.

Starring:

• Yum Jung-ah(Han Seo-jin)
• Kim Hye-yoon( Kang Ye-seo)
• Yoon Se –ah( No Seung-hye)
• Kim Seo-hyung( Kim Joo-young)
• Oh Na-ra(Jin Jin-hee)

No. of episodes: 20+ special

First episode date:23  NOV 2018

Sky Castle: Ambition’s ascent in secret society……

Storyline and plot:

The storyline starts with the revelation of a dark underbelly of this fierce competition, the shocking suicide of a former resident whose son, Young-jae, was successfully admitted to a top university (SKY University). When Lee Soo-im’s family moves into the neighbourhood, Soo-im’s grounded and empathetic nature clashes with the residents’ materialistic and ruthless ambition.

As the pressure accelerates, secrets and scandals unravel, concluding in the suspicious death of Kim Hye-na, an intelligent student and the illegitimate daughter of one of the professors. The further investigations and subsequent cover-up expose the deep-seated issues and moral compromise and forcing them to confront the cataclysmic consequences.

Sky Castle: Underlying Themes..

The theme revolves around four wealthy families in the exclusive Korean community of Sky Castle in suburban Seoul, who fiercely compete to get their children into prestigious universities. These families, primarily parents, are driven by an acute desire to secure their children’s admission to the elite SKY University.

The pursuit of academic excellence and status becomes a cutthroat competition, where the cost of success often leads to manipulation, secrets, and tragic consequences.

Sky Castle: Acting and Direction

Apart from the storyline and characters, the stupendous acting was phenomenal as well. Be it the evil coordinator or ye seo’s mom or the twin mother, each of them played their part really well. The drama boasts stellar casts; Yum Jung–ah and Kim Seo-hyung, who portray complex and morally ambiguous characters with remarkable depth, are truly exceptional.

Being a social satire series, it delves deep into the academic system, specifically the Korean education system, by exposing the harsh realities and ethical dilemmas associated with the system. It also highlights the relentless pressure on students and the lengths parents go to for their children’s success.

This drama reflects the concepts of social climbing and classism very precisely and subtly raises questions about mental health, revealing the psychological toll that an extreme focus on academic achievement can take on an individual. The ending didn’t leave any gaps unfiltered, leaving every episode with a cliffhanger, and covered every single character’s ending in a very unique way, making it more symbolic and meaningful.

Critics’ point of view

However, some viewers found the initial episodes to be a little slow and considered them dramatized for effects, pointing possibly exaggerated depiction of reality. Despite some critics and being mostly a heavy dark comedy, its brilliant storytelling with twists and turns, complex characters, and compelling performances with an intriguing and gripping plot keep the viewers hooked throughout the drama.

Fantastic synergy between all the characters, with moments of humor sprinkled throughout, counterbalances the serious moments.

If you are someone who likes social satire, family drama, and is curious about the darker side of a fiercely competitive society, then ‘Sky Castle’ is a must-watch- it’ll never disappoint you….

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FAQ

Where can I watch K-drama Sky Castle?

The Korean series ‘Sky Castle’ is now streaming on Netflix.