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"SKY Castle" recently rose to the top of the hot searches list in Korea, and its AGB national viewership ratings soared from 1.727% for the first episode all the way to 19.243% for the latest episode 16. What exactly about SKY Castle was so relatable to everyone and made it such a hot topic?

1. The Intricacy of the Plot

The title of this drama is "SKY Castle". Although it's still airing, as of episode 16, the whole drama is very well put together. From the title of the drama to the script, there are many hints and hidden meanings that foreshadow what happens next. No wonder episode 16 has set a record for the highest ratings in Korean cable television history!

The title "SKY Castle" could be a reference to the high-class community that the main characters of the drama live in, as elites ranging from professors at hospitals or judges and prosecutors, and how they live in high level buildings up in the sky with a really nice view. But the title is also a reference to SKY being an acronym of the top three universities in Korea: Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University.

"SKY Castle" could also refer to the high social positions of doctors, lawyers, and prosecutors being considered to be 'up in the sky'.

The drama mainly involves satire and criticism towards the way high class Korean families educate their children to have them inherit their professions. In addition, it has subtle hints in the smallest of details, like the closeness of the characters in family photos, the parents' beds, the soundtracks, etc.

2. Reflection of Korea's academic culture

Each of the five families living in the community have different approaches to education, but they all share grievances about the immense academic pressure in Korean high schools. 

The competition for university admissions in Korea is immensely fierce. This can be easily seen on the day of the Korean university entrance exam – the stock market is delayed by an hour, the working hours of public institutions are delayed by an hour, and planes are suspended from departing or landing during the English listening comprehension exam. This shows how important the entrance examination is for Korean society.

But because the entrance exam is so important and can even change the students' future socioeconomic class, parents have no choice but to push their children up at all costs. One way to do so is to spend large sums of money on private lessons.

According to statistics, each high school student spends ₩515,000 per month on tuition. "SKY Castle" depicts the demands put on students to perform academically, how the students are viewed differently according to their performance level, and how people are busy trying to save face, even at the cost of their children's happiness.

Each family has its own set of issues and experiences, but are parents' demands really what is best for their children? Is it what the children want? Will you really understand and appreciate everything your parents had done once you grow up? Would your life really be smooth sailing as long as you make it into the medical department of Seoul National University? Are the parents always right?

"SKY Castle" delves into these issues, narrated in a witty and humorous style.

3. The Actors' Superb 

The final reason for the success of this show: the performance of each of the actors is superb!

The acting pulls the audience in and makes them cry and laugh, feeling the grief, the sorrow, and the joy of the characters. In addition, the directing also captured many beautiful moments on screen with immense precision and detail. More importantly, there are climactic scenes here and there that add to the excitement. The OST is also very fitting, giving people goosebumps when they hear the track in the middle of the drama.

That's it for our introduction of the recent hit, "SKY Castle"! If you're tired of K-Dramas that tell the same love stories, check out SKY Castle, which became a hit and reflects the real society. It'll definitely meet your appetite!