With the present advancements of technology, Live On calls out the irresponsible use of anonymity in social media.
Social media now plays a big role in one’s school life as a teenager. Depicting that reality, Live On captures the benefits as well as its downsides in the lives of high school students.
- Main Cast: Jung Da Bin | Hwang Min Hyun | Noh Jong Hyun | Yeonwoo | Yang Hye Ji | Choi Byung Chan
- Supporting Cast: Hyun Woo Seok | Woo Da Vi | Kim Eun Soo | Lee Se Hee | Jo Joon Young | Yang Jung Yeon | Wooyeon | Jang Seo Won
- Streaming Site: iQiyi | Viu
- Thrill/Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- Kdramas of Similar Vibe: Who Are You: School 2015 | Radio Romance | True Beauty | A-teen
Marcie Line watched Live On on iQiyi
Live On Quick Plot Recap
A popular girl in high school, Baek Ho Rang (Jung Da Bin) has a lot of followers on her social media, and everyone is drawn towards her. She appears to be aloof and snobbish, rejecting offers from various school clubs, not until a broadcasted anonymous message calls a past memory of hers.
Curious about the sender, Ho Rang joins Seo Yeon high school’s broadcasting club. Ko Eun Taek (Hwang Min Hyun), the head of the club who is precise with time, starts to get along with Ho Rang after several encounters in the club.
On her journey of investigating who is the anonymous sender, Ho Rang also meets people whom she can trust and rely on.
Live On Series Peak Points
Integration of Social Media in Mystery Plot
Online platforms have a huge presence in the lives of the students of Seo Yeon high school. To submit an anonymous entry to the broadcasting club, social media is used. With that, Ho Rang’s access to the club’s account has helped her see who is the sender of the message.
In the series, we can see how people’s reactions vary based on the posts on their school’s anonymous board. Through those posts and anonymous entries, Ho Rang as well as Ji So Hyun (Yang Hye Ji), are able to track and uncover the truth on who the sender is. Throughout the series, viewers also uncover who the real perpetrator and victim are.
Such integration of modern technology is relevant at present as the youth are heavy users of it. And sometimes, they rely their unspoken social ranking on it just like how they treat Ho Rang who is a star on social media.
With the power of anonymity in social media, fake news and rumors are easily spread with today’s technology. The whole plot is a call for everyone’s responsible use of social media, critical of the information online, and careful on one’s posts published.
Melodious Soundtrack in Eventful Scenes
In several scenes, there are original soundtracks that go along with it. Sung by artists like TXT, Bibi, Hoody, Bronze, and Jung Da Bin, these soundtracks help in setting the emotion of the scenes. Naan sung by Bibi really fit the dramatic and emotional scenes in the drama.
Viewers may also delight in hearing Tomorrow X Together (TXT) singing “Your Light”, which has very meaningful lyrics appropriate to the theme of the drama. A member from the group, Yeonjun, has also made a cameo in the final episode, exhibiting his talent in acting.
Healthy Discussion about School Violence
The writers could have portrayed Ho Rang as someone who had avoided that situation, but they did not. Instead, they chose to present her with empathy and a realistic perspective of a victim of school violence.
Speaking instantly about the violence one has experienced is what’s expected, but that’s not the case for all victims, and the producers of the series made sure to capture that perspective in a drama with youth as its focus. They respected the process of developing the courage of speaking up about an unpleasant experience.
Ho Rang’s character may be frustrating for some, but it opens the eyes of viewers to the saddening reality of how some victims of violence react to such an experience.
Experiencing school violence is not something easy to be talked about especially by teenagers, and this drama made sure to break the stigma on victims.
Live On Series Musings
Life as a teenager may be confusing as it is a period of growth and discovery. The series focuses on school life with youth as the target audience, and it was successful in presenting a plot that is relevant to the problems faced by today’s youth.
The main characters in the series are written realistically and have imparted a takeaway to the viewers. Ko Eun Taek’s preciseness can inspire people to respect the time and fulfill promises that are made.
Yu Shin (Choi Byungchan) does not expect So Hyun to reciprocate the affection he is giving, and I really appreciate that portrayal of a boy full of respect. Moreover, the relationship of Jae Yi (Yeonwoo) and Woo Jae (Noh Jong Hyun) just shows how relationships gradually develop into mature one.
What I really enjoyed in every series produced by Playlist studios is the inclusion of social issues. Ji So Hyun is a female student who is often involved with boys, and others criticize her for it. That type of judgment is flawed, and the series made sure to convey that message.
The central theme of the series has also presented a view that empathizes with victims. For some, it’s so easy to say that a victim could have avoided the trouble or should not have tolerated the situation one’s facing. However, in the end, the series reminds us that we are all just third parties viewing someone’s life.
We are in no place to judge nor dictate what a victim should and should have not done. Instead, it has educated viewers that people who seem flawless on the outside may have a painful story to tell, and being there for them to rely on is a way to help.
Other than the topics that the series included, what’s enjoyable in dramas produced by Playlist studios are the fresh actors and actresses and its OST. This series has been a platform for rising actresses and actors, and the performance of the cast in the series is adequate.
Lee Se Hee really portrayed her role well as her real character can anger viewers. The OST of the series is enjoyable, but its use in some transitions from dramatic scenes could have been improved.
Overall, the series is commendable for the message it has imparted on school life and social media. It calls out the cancel culture and reminds us to be critical thinkers with the information shared online. Anonymity should not be abused to ruin others, and the number of likes does not automatically bear the truth in real life.
Watch Live On on iQiyi and Viu.
Photos: JTBC | Playlist Studios
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