Age of Youth

청춘시대 ‧ Drama ‧ 2016
Completed
moonsun
0 people found this review helpful
Jun 19, 2019
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
this was the first kdrama i've ever watched (or at least finished) and even after watching countless more dramas this one never ceased to be my favorite. i don't even know where to start because every aspect of this drama is just perfection but let's start with the characters.

without giving anything away this drama has a way of writing these characters that are so reletable but at the same time so painfully sad and complicated and confusing. and the more you think about why these characters do what they do you the more you understand why this drama is so brilliant. i usually don't like when aspects like mystery get into teenage dramas but this one made it blend in so well that i couldn't even complain, i just appreciated. it was so hard for me to pick a favorite character because they're all so beautifully written and acted but finally decided on yi na and jin myung(even tought i'm such a ji won) who i believe to be the most complicated characters.

as for the stroy it is one of those dramas where it looks very simple and light hearted but on the contrary it is very deep and philosophical. it's so well written and directed and acted. it has so many lines that i thought about for days (especially yi na's story about the smell) the realitonship between our main girls is just so beautifull and realistic. they fight and make up, they hate each other but love each other at the same time and no matter what they're always there for each other and i loved how that was the main theme of the show, friendship and not love.

and the ost fits the drama so perfectly with every song that plays at every scene. but my favorite and the most touching will always be butterfly. that ost still gives me the chills.

i'm sorry this review is a mess but i love this drama more than anything in life and just have so much feelings about it but i'm not very good with words, i'm good at feeling things and one think i can say for sure is this drama will make feel... a lot... i watched it 4 times and still cry like a little baby at some scenes and laugh my ass off at others. i recommend this drama to everyone who enjoys quailty.

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Completed
YinaBunny
0 people found this review helpful
Mar 27, 2025
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

Age of Youth is definitely one of those dramas that hits differently each time you watch it.

"Age of Youth" (also known as Hello, My Twenties!) is a Korean drama that aired in 2016, followed by a second season in 2017. The show revolves around five young women living together in a shared house called Belle Epoque, each with their own unique personalities, struggles, and secrets.

*What Makes It Special?*

1. Relatable & Realistic Storytelling

Unlike many K-dramas that focus on extravagant romance or high-stakes drama, Age of Youth captures the everyday struggles of young adulthood—financial issues, relationships, career uncertainty, trauma, and self-discovery. It’s refreshingly grounded and emotionally resonant.

2. Diverse and Well-Written Characters

- Yoon Jin-myung (Han Ye-ri): The responsible, overworked eldest member, juggling multiple part-time jobs while dealing with deep personal pain.
- Jung Ye-eun (Han Seung-yeon): A bubbly, appearance-conscious girl who struggles with toxic relationships and self-worth.
- Song Ji-won (Park Eun-bin): The eccentric, loud, and hilarious member, often providing comic relief but hiding her own wounds.
- Kang Yi-na (Ryu Hwa-young, S1) / Jo Eun (Choi Ara, S2): The confident and glamorous one, with a mysterious past.
- Yoo Eun-jae (Park Hye-soo, S1 / Ji Woo, S2): The shy, introverted newcomer who gradually finds her voice.

3. Themes That Hit Home

The show explores themes like love, friendship, mental health, domestic violence, and career struggles with a level of maturity and sensitivity rarely seen in typical rom-coms.

4. A Mix of Heartfelt Moments & Humor

While the show has deep and emotional moments, it also balances them with humor, particularly through Ji-won’s antics and the girls’ interactions. The friendships feel authentic, making you wish you had a squad like theirs.

5. Season 2: Does It Hold Up?

The second season maintains the heart of the first but introduces a new housemate, which changes the group dynamic. While it’s still a solid watch, some fans feel it lacks the same magic due to cast changes and a slightly darker tone.

6. Final Verdict

⭐ 9/10 – If you love slice-of-life dramas with deep character development, strong female friendships, and a touch of mystery, Age of Youth is a must-watch. It’s emotional, funny, and incredibly relatable.

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Completed
NabiiYa
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 31, 2016
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
So this is my first review ever for a drama!
Well... this was definitely very different from what I've ever seen in Kdrama Land. Beware before watching this drama because you will most likely have withdrawal syndrome after finishing it.. just like me!
All of the characters are so relate able and the 5 protagonists' acting was superb! For someone who was watching 5 dramas simultaneously this summer (Including: Uncontrollably Fond and W) I always waited for the weekend for this drama to air.
I gave this drama an almost perfect score in all departments but felt that the ending left me wanting to know more of their individual stories! A second season for this one would be awesome. Male it happen JTBC!!

Oh and lets not forget the soundtrack of this drama which consisted mostly of english indie songs which I loved. However there was one korean song in the drama sang by a girl which was frequently played (it is probably named butterfly) that I could not find anywhere :( If anybody could let me know the name it'll be great! :)

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Completed
WonByungHoon
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 28, 2016
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.5
Great great show i wish there were more episodes and more awareness of the show. I dint even know about it only by coincidence. Its a very unique and serious short film about school roomates and issues that most students go thru when put together in a shared environment. Each character was unique and had something special going on about them. Theres not really a main character per se but the little girl had most of the story revolving around her. Shes so cute and gullible but not that innocent. Theres romance, adult content and buckets of tears and laughters. Must see

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Completed
PapayaSammy on twitch
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 9, 2019
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This goes for both seasons 1 and 2, I would rate it higher if it wasn't for the actress change but I mean it's cool, it was a nice funny show that was literally a slice of life. It made me laugh, feel emotions, I liked the whole feeling if they're a family and bonding just like sisters but also fight like it. I like that everyone has their own stories and there's some suspense between everything. It doesn't even fly by like oh this is rushed, it was the perfect amount of time and character and space. I guess I'm just thrown off by the change which sucks but overall, worth watching. Good laughs and all that jazz.

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Completed
sunny734
0 people found this review helpful
Jul 7, 2018
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
Sometimes you just have to give drama a second chance, especially ones that have such great reviews. I tried watching this while it's on air several times, but I just couldn't get pass the first 4 eps. When season 2 was out, I decided to give this a second chance, and I love it so much I wonder why I ever disliked it. I am now halfway through season 2 and am low-key anxious that there's no season 3. I love how relaxing the show is, just showing regular day to day life with minimal drama, yet relatable characters. In some ways I can't pint point, it reminds me of My Ajusshi. Though this one is much brighter and cheerful. Perhaps it's the plot focus on mundane life goals on career, love etc. vs. focusing mainly on birth secret, cancer plots.

P.S: starting a new drama while killing time doing your cardio is best for getting over the awkward, sometimes boring introductory, first 2 eps.

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Completed
njshjtjnldm
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 2, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 7.5
One of the dramas that is dear to me. If slice of life is what you`re looking for, this is it. I just love the idea they had for this drama because it really worked. Putting different people with different personalities and different backgrounds in a small shared house created a masterpiece. I like all of the characters too because, there are always bits and pieces from them that you can relate to and learn from. Freeing yourself from a toxic relationship, admitting to yourself you`re the one in the wrong to how one small lie can be very troublesome. And I really loved how they always have this misunderstandings going on, they still care and try to find ways to compromise. And how all of them have dark past that came to light but had closures. And it had a cliffhanger ending so season 2 is promising.

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Completed
Liam20122
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 3, 2019
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 5.5
Rewatch Value 7.5
i liked this show because the story line put them in situation where they had to grow as a person and adapt to their surroundings in a semi - realistic way. This made an abundance of character growth and decent plot development. the acting is also pretty solid , in big emotional scenes the actors make you feel the emotions that their trying to reflect and it can get pretty surprising how much that'll hook you in. i didn't really pay attention to the music for this show but i was never annoyed by it so i think that's a plus and the re watch value is pretty good sometimes i find myself skipping through episodes only watching my favorite parts but then a big event will happen and i end up watching the full episodes. overall i think that if you enjoy character development and high running emotions with some comedy i think it will be worth it for you to check out.

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Completed
lvrs.rock
0 people found this review helpful
May 25, 2025
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 3.0

I loved the first season to death. Drama, fun and colourful moments - it's all there.

This is so far the best East Asian drama I've watched on Netflix! The others were too fluffy, going overboard with emotions, but Hello, My Twenties! didn't have much of these elements. The males are not extremely territorial, neither do they have a huge ego, something I think seen is like a staple in East Asian dramas. I like the fact that each character has layers and a unique personality and that they develop through the course of time, rather than unrealistically remaining stagnant. This show is hilarious, touching and cute all at the same time.
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Completed
nannoscafe
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 17, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 8.5

It was not what I expected....

I started it expecting it to be a sitcom like WELCOME TO WAIKIKI but it was different from it. It had comedy, suspense, drama and romance. It dealt with heavy and dark topics that women have to deal with like workplace harassment , abusive and manipulative relationships and trauma. At first the 5 protagonists were not very likable but as the story progressed I began to connect with the characters and like them. All the main characters are so well developed and interesting. They all deal with their own struggles in their own ways. The bond and friendship between these girls is so cute. They all support and protect each other like family. All the actresses did such a good job. It is such a good drama to watch with friends. I think it is not as appreciated as it should be.

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Completed
drama_mochi93
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 19, 2025
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 6.5

Slice-of-Life Drama on Friendship

I watched Age of Youth and was truly impressed by Park Eun-bin’s performance—she’s an incredible actress! The drama does a fantastic job portraying the lives of five young women sharing an apartment, each with their own struggles, dreams, and relationships. Their journey is filled with friendship, conflicts, personal growth, and heartfelt moments that make it deeply relatable. While the show beautifully captures the ups and downs of youth, some storylines felt unfinished, leaving a few loose ends. Despite that, it remains a must-watch for anyone who enjoys slice-of-life dramas centered on strong female friendships.

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Completed
notherealone07
0 people found this review helpful
May 17, 2021
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Unexpected Journey... Raised the bar for future Youth Stories

I REALLY REALLY LOVED IT...
( I will cover some of season 2 as well)
(This spoils how the characters changes that happens in the show)

This is a coming of age story...A female centric drama...A story of 5 roommates and their life
Each one has a different story to tell...They have different personalities and traits...The most important thing I look for in a drama or in any other show/series I am watching is the characters...If I can see the characters as actual human being... People who make mistakes... People who feel like can exist in the same world as I do...And I don't mean by making the characters "relatable"... A character can be relatable but not human...But coming back to the show...why I am saying stuff like this... it's because the decision the characters makes in the show comes backs at them...This drama is one of the most realistic teen romance dramas I have seen...It show how young love is not perfect... Getting into a relationship with a person you hardly know is not good for a long run...How innocent girl who had low self-esteem and lacked confidence is turned into an obsessive bitch is done perfectly...And that's just one character...

Same goes with the side character...Each character has a part to play... Sometimes the main characters are the one in the wrong and we support the side ones...

I have been very serious in this review... It has one of the most funniest scenes I have ever watched in a Kdrama...The scenes where you want to cry is made in a comedy scene...and I hate been shows cut out a serious part just to make you laugh, it ruins the whole experience but it is done so wonderful I can't even describe

This show hasn't been finished it...I mean a lot of things set up are not given a conclusion... Hope season 3 happens... Because the epilogue in the second season broke me...

It was a breath of fresh air...Hope you love this drama as much as I do... Thank You

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Age of Youth poster

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  • Score: 8.5 (scored by 36,590 users)
  • Ranked: #560
  • Popularity: #181
  • Watchers: 71,567

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