Youth of May is a South Korean drama released in 2021. It is a standard television series with 12 episodes, each running for about 1 hour and 10 minutes. The drama aired from May 3 to June 8, 2021, and was broadcast every Monday and Tuesday. It falls under the romance, youth, drama, and melodrama genres and carries a 15+ rating, suitable for teens and older viewers.
📌 Synopsis
Hwang Hee Tae is a top medical student at Seoul National University. His life changes when he becomes involved in the events unfolding in Gwangju. Persuaded by his close friend Lee Soo Chan, a pro-democracy activist, Hee Tae opens an illegal clinic to secretly treat injured protestors hiding from government forces.
While helping the wounded, Hee Tae meets Kim Myung Hee, a hardworking nurse who dreams of studying abroad. She struggles to save money while supporting herself. Despite their different backgrounds and the tense situation around them, the two slowly fall in love.
As May 1980 arrives, the Gwangju Uprising breaks out. Violence, fear, and political unrest spread across the city. Hee Tae and Myung Hee’s relationship is pushed to its limits as they face danger, sacrifice, and heartbreaking choices.
The drama follows their love story against the backdrop of real historical tragedy. Dreams are shattered, lives are changed, and nothing remains the same once the uprising begins.
🎭 Main Roles
- Lee Do Hyun as Hwang Hee Tae
- Go Min Si as Kim Myung Hee
- Lee Sang Yi as Lee Soo Chan
- Keum Sae Rok as Lee Soo Ryun
🟦 Supporting Roles
- Oh Man Seok as Hwang Ki Nam (Hee Tae’s father)
- Um Hyo Sup as Lee Chang Geun (Lee siblings’ father)
- Kim Won Hae as Kim Hyeon Cheol (Myung Hee’s father)
- Hwang Young Hee as Choi Soon Nyeo
- Shim Yi Young as Song Hae Ryeong
- Park Se Hyun as Lee Jin Ah
- Kim Yi Kyeong as Oh In Young
- Jung Wook Jin as Choi Jeong Haeng
- Park Cheol Min as Choi Byeong Gil
- Heo Jung Do as Lee Gyeong Pil
🟨 Guest Roles
The drama features several guest appearances portraying soldiers, protestors, police officers, and family members. These roles help recreate the emotional weight and realism of the historical period shown in the story.
💭 Final Thoughts
Youth of May is a deeply emotional drama that combines romance with real historical events. It highlights love, sacrifice, and courage during one of South Korea’s most painful chapters. With powerful performances and heartfelt storytelling, the series leaves a lasting impact and honors the spirit of youth lost to tragedy.
