Boyhood ~ Who is the Real White Tiger of Asan?

5 Comments | 2023 K-dramas, action, bullying, Comedy, Family, High School, K-dramas, Korean drama, Tubi TV, Youth | By cmoneyspinner | April 28, 2025 | 4 minutes of reading

“Boyhood” (aka “Once Upon a Boyhood”), released in 2023, with 10 episodes, categorized as Family, Action, High School, Youth, and Comedy; streaming on Tubi TV.

SUMMARY: A kid who has been bullied gets mistaken for another student who has a reputation for being a top fighter. At first, he tried to clear things up but it felt so good to be respected and not bullied for once in his life that he just let everybody believe he was somebody else. But one day, the real person showed up at school. Uh oh!

♦ New School, New Bullies? Or NOT!

“Boyhood” is set during the 1980s at an agricultural high school. But before attending the agricultural high school. Before transferring agricultural high school, Jang Byeong-Tae briefly discusses his entire life story, which can be summed up in three words: “I was bullied.” To hear him tell it, he was bullied just for breathing. Who can live their life not breathing? It’s so unfair. But over the years, he just accepted it as if it were his fate to go to school every day and get beaten up! But that all changed one day.

An accident occurred when he was trying to get away from some guys in a game arcade so that he wouldn’t get bullied. Jang Byeong-Tae jumped on his bike and peddled as fast as he could. He was going so fast that it was hard for him to stop. Jung Gyeong-Tae was walking down the same street, and he was on a collision course with Jang Byeong-Tae.

To try not to hit Jung Gyeong-Tae with his bicycle, he made an abrupt stop, which sent Jang Byeong-Tae flying into the air. Long story short. Jang Byeong-Tae landed on top of Jung Gyeong-Tae and knocked him out. Jung Gyeong-Tae was in the hospital unconscious for several days. Meanwhile, Jang Byeong-Tae went to his new school.

At the new school, the students were excited because they were anticipating the arrival of the White Tiger of Asan. That was the nickname for Jung Gyeong-Tae. He had a reputation that preceded him and was known as the best fighter in Asan. He was transferring to Buyeo Agricultural High School, the same school Jang Byeong-Tae would be attending. Because their name are similar, the students mistook him for the White Tiger. He had the opportunity to clarify the case of mistaken identity, but … for once in his life, he wasn’t getting bullied. It felt great!

He let everybody believe that he was the White Tiger of Asan. It was going well until Jung Gyeong-Tae woke up from his coma and was released from the hospital. He arrived at the high school and introduced himself to the class. Not as the White Tiger. But as Jung Gyeong-Tae. That is his real name, and his real nickname is the White Tiger of Asan. Uh oh!

Jang Byeong-Tae is in a predicament. He doesn’t even know who the real White Tiger is. But if it’s the new guy who just introduced himself, how is he going to explain to the other students that he’s been deceiving them ever since he arrived at the school? He was enjoying being the Top Dog! Does he have to go back to being bullied again? Why is life so unfair?

Main Characters:

Jang Byeong-Tae (played by Yim Si-Wan, “Unlocked”, “Road to Boston”, “Emergency Declaration”, “The Attorney”, “Squid Game 2”, “Tracer”, “Strangers From Hell”, “The King in Love”, “Misaeng: Incomplete Life”, “The Moon Embracing The Sun”)
Park Ji-Yeong (played by Lee Sun-Bin, “The Potato Lab”, “Mission: Possible”, “OK! Madam”, “Rampant”, “Missing Nine”, “Squad 38”)
Jung Gyeong-Tae (played by Lee Si-Woo, “Love Your Enemy”, “Perfect Family”)
Kang Seon-Hwa (played by Kang Hye-Won. “Friendly Rivalry”)

Where to Watch: Free with Ads on Tubi TV (As of 04/28/2025, it is listed as “Coming Soon” to Viki.)

Viewership and Rating:

IMDb: 7.8 of 10 stars
My Drama List: 8.5 out of 10 stars
Dramabeans: 8.1 out of 10 stars
Letterboxd: 4 out of 5 stars

My personal rating is the same as MDL.

“Boyhood” was made for fans of Yim Si Wan. I’m a fan. There’s talk of a second season.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

‘Boyhood’ Season 2 green-lit, fueled by Im Si Wan’s outstanding performance | allkpop

Im Si-Wan’s Boyhood K-Drama: Everything You Need to Know | Yahoo! Entertainment

‘Boyhood’ Review: Yim Si Wan’s Acting Metamorphosis in Teen Drama | ZAPZEE – Premier Korean Entertainment Magazine

Crushing on Im Si-wan? Check out these K-dramas, films | ABS-CBN Entertainment

TRAILER/TEASER:

Kdrama Zone. “Boyhood (2023) Official Trailer.” YouTube, 7 Nov. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQQ-BkYnvn4.

♦

5 replies

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Too hot to handle

105 messages 31 likes

#1 Apr 29, 2025

Boyhood is definitely worth watching, especially for those who enjoy classic high school stories with a twist. The premise is simple but very effective—it’s a coming-of-age drama mixed with comedy and a bit of action. It touches on themes like bullying, identity, and self-worth in a way that feels real and relatable. Plus, the characters are all well-rounded and believable. Jang Byeong-Tae’s journey to find his true self while facing the consequences of his lie is both humorous and touching. I’m looking forward to seeing where this story goes next!

Bringing you the best of theater

68 messages 2 likes

#2 Apr 29, 2025

As someone who grew up in the '80s, I can’t help but appreciate the setting of Boyhood. It brings back so many memories of simpler times, especially the whole arcade scene. The main plot of a bullied kid who suddenly finds himself in a position of respect is a great metaphor for how our lives can change unexpectedly. It’s a show that balances comedy with a deeper exploration of self-esteem and identity. It might be a little predictable at times, but it’s still an enjoyable ride from start to finish.

New Member

480 messages 17 likes

#3 Apr 29, 2025

Boyhood explores the complexities of identity, self-image, and the consequences of lying. Jang Byeong-Tae’s situation is a reflection of how societal expectations can sometimes push us into roles that feel more comfortable than being ourselves. The fact that he embraces the lie because it gives him a sense of power is a compelling angle. It raises questions about authenticity in our relationships and how far we’re willing to go to avoid conflict or rejection. The show is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and I think it does a great job of balancing comedy with deeper themes.

Aspiring Smilemaker

69 messages 3 likes

#4 Apr 29, 2025

What really stands out to me about Boyhood is how it handles the idea of bullying. Jang Byeong-Tae starts off as the typical underdog, but the way the show shifts focus to his inner conflict about keeping up the lie is powerful. It’s almost like he’s in a tug-of-war between his true self and the version of himself that others expect him to be. I can totally relate to that struggle, especially as someone who’s experienced feeling overlooked or underestimated. The show’s humor does a good job of keeping things light, but the deeper themes about identity and belonging hit close to home. I’d say it’s a good mix of laughs and real emotional moments.

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What does the Fox say?

1,866 messages 37 likes

#5 Jul 02, 2025

What really stands out to me about Boyhood is how it handles the idea of bullying. Jang Byeong-Tae starts off as the typical underdog, but the way the show shifts focus to his inner conflict about keeping up the lie is powerful. It’s almost like he’s in a tug-of-war between his true self and the version of himself that others expect him to be. I can totally relate to that struggle, especially as someone who’s experienced feeling overlooked or underestimated. The show’s humor does a good job of keeping things light, but the deeper themes about identity and belonging hit close to home. I’d say it’s a good mix of laughs and real emotional moments.

I empathized with the poor kid. Can you imagine being slapped around practically all of your life and all of a sudden, everybody is scared of you? I don't blame him for not wanting to clear up the mistaken identity.

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