Melancholia
2021
Original language: Korean
- drama
The story
A sexual scandal between a math teacher and a student in a prestigious high school ended in tragedy. 4 years later they meet again, now as adults, to reveal the corruptions in school and to regain one's reputation as a teacher.
What it’s like
Tense, morally heavy Korean drama with a dark, grievance-driven mood, suited to a late-night watch when you're ready for something unsettling rather than comforting. Its core is a teacher-student relationship that ended in tragedy, and the story returns to that wound years later through a push for revenge and reputational repair, so the emotional register runs cold, guilt-laden and bitter, with the adult characters carrying the damage of the past. Expect sexual misconduct and abuse to sit at the centre of the story, along with grief, school corruption and a strong undercurrent of dread. It is not gentle or light, and the sexual subject matter involving a minor is a serious consideration for anyone choosing it. Best for viewers who want a dark, character-driven drama about trauma, accountability and retribution, and who can sit with difficult material.
More TV shows like Melancholia
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Melancholiaand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
