Itaewon Class (2020)

Disappointing and wasted potential

This drama started really, REALLY well. It was deserving of all the initial hype. The editing, cinematography, and plot coupled with great scoring were unprecedented. However, everything got thrown away at around ep 12. The writing became too sloppy that the characters seemed liked hypocrites. So much for character development huh. Plus the last 2 episodes? What was that even? It’s like the writer didn’t know how to end things well, so he used his webtoon experience and just whisked whatever plot twists he had in mind, capitalizing on what most fans wanted to see. That in the process it lost coherence, logic, and brilliance. Acting-wise, the actors were stellar. But everything else about this drama was just plain disappointment, especially the romance. It was almost disgusting and seemingly a mere afterthought.

I wanted to appease myself with the fact that it’s the first drama of the screenwriter anyway, but no, he just created a very big damage to the story that it’s beyond forgivable.

I would not recommend this to friends without a big warning. Watch at your own risk.

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Itaewon class is definitely not a rom-com if that's what you're coming here to watch. I'd be honest and say that I was disappointed too, but it has opened me up to a new type of drama that I really enjoy. It's one of the most eye-opening dramas that I've watched and really makes you think about your own life.

I've read my fair share of reviews and many have mentioned the lack of depth in character, romance, or storyline. Park Saeroyi's character is very unique. He's persistent in what he wants and he cares a lot about those around him. Some people have mentioned that he lost his character once he kneeled in front of the old man for a woman but he knew what he was doing. He had no choice or else one of the closest people around him would die. Knowing his character, he would've done it for any of his friends.

Many reviews have said the romance wasn't well developed. While I agree that's semi-true, the reason why he's been rejecting Yi-Seo over and over again is that Geun-Soo was always after her and he didn't want to betray him. He was also very focused on his revenge for his dad so his life did not revolve around his love story. And he had a clingy Soo-Ah to deal with. He kinda lost track of who he had feelings for before he did realize he was in love with Yi-Seo.

There are some places where I think the storyline could be better. It did feel a little rushed towards the end and some scenes gave me a question mark. For the most part, it was a good story and I feel like PSRY's life has given people a new perspective in life. I especially loved that the story featured a lot of minorities: strong female leaders, LGBTQ+, PoC (other than Koreans), ex-convicts. It gave a fresh feeling to the drama.

I'd say go for this drama if you don't want the typical sappy rom-com. The acting is superb from all the characters, especially PSRY, Yi-Seo, and the old man. This drama is different from the norm and I'm all here for it.

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actually problematic

i got hooked on the first few episodes and then it came to a point when the plot was DRAGGING. it became an old good for nothing rich man vs. young good for nothing poor man. it tried so hard to justify both parties' actions and why you should hate evil old man and root for good young man to the point it became pretentious for me. only the acting was what pushed me to keep watching. its good they addressed issues like racism and transphobia, but it felt like they were just there, just so (but im not one to comment about it because im not a black poc and im not trans).

but WHAT BOTHERS ME MOST!!!! is

that part of 10-years-younger yiseo kissing DRUNK AND PASSED OUT 10-years-older saeroyi???? HUH this must be some male fantasy. and then later on...we see yiseo stopping drunk sooah from kissing saeroyi and then blabbing laws about harassment?????? HUH? WHAT ? WHY ???? the only explanation is that it's written and directed by men. up until this day, men cant write actual strong female characters without making them act tough or cold. they really tried to prove a point that a huge gap isnt predatory because the younger girl was the one who pursued the older man... and they painted yiseo as some highly-competitive woman who refuses to lose, to hide that fact.

even if healthy huge age gap relationships do exist, this was simply not a good one to show it as it believes it did. lol.

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First of all I decided to write this review because I read the other reviews and comments and saw too many negative opinions. So I want to write a good one for all of us who enjoyed it a lot. (Would want to point out tho if we even watched the same drama because the drama I watched was good LOL).

Points:
- People say that they couldn’t take Yi Seo. I get it, at some point of the drama I hated her (maybe for two episodes) when she got really mean with Geun Soo and Soo Ah about the building thing but the thing is, did the writers give her a free way with this? NO. Saeroyi got mad with her. But the thing is, if she didn’t bitch about the building thing, do you think Saeroyi would have decided to buy one? She made him realize that at that moment they needed a REALISTIC alternative. Yi Seo’s role here was set right from the start if not from the start, you guys should have seen it the moment she cut off the would-be kiss of Soo Ah and Saeroyi with her hand over Soo Ah’s mouth. She is a crazy character. And if it’s only me I like her. For once a refreshing main female character.
- People say that the romance between Yi Seo and Saeroyi is weird. I don’t think so. If you actually watch kdrama a lot, most of the earlier scenes point out that Yi Seo will end up with Saeroyi ( I really don’t know why some think otherwise). And if not Yi Seo would you like Soo Ah? Yi Seo even pointed out the obvious when they met at the cafe four years later that Soo Ah was only for herself, even Soo Ah realized it and knew what she lost because of hesitating too much when Saeroyi was so determined to save Yi Seo.
- Jang Geun Soo turnover haha. Tbh his characters is one of the pitiful ones. Some say it’s weird that he suddenly became a villain but I don’t know about you but I called it that moment Yi Seo said “If you really decided you want me, take over Jangga.” I knew at some point that he will go to Jangga. If you look at his last conversation with Saeroyi at the rooftop when he resigned, he said that Saeroyi is really amazing. And that he would want to change to and try to achieve his goals like Saeroyi. His goal was Yi Seo. But the thing is HE WAS A KID. At the ending scene after the IC Co. took over Jangga And Saeroyi was talking with Geun Soo, Saeroyi literally called him a kid. Not sure about the real reason why but I assumed that it means “It’s not your fault, the adults around you didn’t really show you a good example so you haven’t grown up yet.” Maybe who knows. But it was obvious that he was going to turn against them.
- Park Saeroyi kneeling down. That scene was phenomenal! I didn’t think that PSJ’s back was so powerful hahaha. He was kneeling down to show some kind of “surrender/deafeat” but he was dominating that shot! I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. And it was not much of defeat but out of pity. Saeroyi realized that the old man was actually ridiculous to the point that he was not worth it at all. At first Saeroyi saw him as a powerful man and wanted to reach for what he did but he realized at that moment that the old man was nothing but “trash”. He couldn’t believe he wanted to go after a trash and so kneeling down became nothing. Did you see Jang Dae Hee’s face when Saeroyi explained that to him? When I saw his face “SATISFACTION!” hahahaha.
- Romantic change at the end. Tbh Saeroyi didn’t have anything to live for anymore. Nothing that would make him happy, hence his scene with his dad by the bridge. He keeps remembering Yi Seo who put her life on the line for him and he decided that I want to live for that person too because I love her. And it’s not weird that he only realized it at the end. Remember he’s a 34 years old guy who didn’t have his first kiss yet. And he was used to the thought that “I like Soo Ah” that he didn’t realize he actually loves Yi Seo. It was pretty well written for me.

But then again, this might just be me. Still It was a great drama! It slowed down in the middle a bit but it’s fine because Park Seo Joon hahahah.

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btw this review will be basically me talking about the ending because i have A LOT to say!
so don't read anything if you haven't watched ep 16 yet.

story and acting was really good, i liked most of the characters, evil characters were portrayed really well.. i also liked how human many of these were (like Sooah and Geunsoo), showing us that good characters can have flaws as well and learn from their past mistakes. i was very fond of Saeroyi's character, definitely one of the few main male characters i actually like lol.
however, i have to say that i didn't like Yiseo much :/ i found her to be really petty, which is okay if you think about that because she's a sociopath and of course she's not going to be flawless, but still her attitude most of the times didn't sit well with me :| and i'm happy that they ended up together, they look very cute, but i disliked how she treated everyone real badly EXCEPT him just because she was in love. i think i'd have given this drama a 10/10 if Saeroyi's didn't end up dating anyone, because the romance of the drama wasn't the main topic, you know. i think i kinda ship him with Sooah tho. like I know she did bad things but in the last two episodes, she really redeemed herself. but anyways, im happy that she respected and supported Sry's relationship with Yiseo. she deserved to go on her own path and open her own restaurant! im so proud of her character development.
the friendship of the Danbam staff was really cute, i like how theyre there for each other. we definitely need to see more dramas like these, without the stupid work hierarchies existent in korean society (and other societies as well ofc). also, i appreciate how this drama touched on taboo topics, like foreigners and lgbt. very different from what i've been watching these years!

definitely recommending this to my friends :)

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You may call me biased because Im a huge Park Seo Joon fan. But this show is something else! Not your regular, same old romantic comedy with shallow stories.
This drama tackles about life. The hardships people suffer, injustice in the criminal system, power of the rich vs the poor/weak, standing up to what is right and being true to yourself, different outcasts in society, gender/racial issues, struggles we face and how we try to survive and even succeed in life.
After finishing all 16episodes, i experienced a real whirlwind of emotions! Anger at the antagonists and how they made Park Sae Royi suffer. But the same time, I was amazed at how amazing of a person Sae Royi was, how strong he was and how he handles every hardship. I was also amazed by Yiseo, she was cool, extemely smart, talented and strong. Her portrayal of the role was spot on. I loved her character because she wasnt too girly at all.

All in all, everyone's acting was amazing. The story is really nice and teaches us about not giving up on our dreams until we reach it, it teaches us to stand up for our beliefs and principles, and teaches us not to be a pushover.

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Honestly i was about to do harsh review while watching the first half of the final ep but somehow i enjoy the last parts. but thinking about it that what i feel while watching this show i love it but hate it sometimes. and i have a love hate feeling to all the mean characters through out the show and that was nice.

The story start good even tho i'm not fan of revenge dramas it was interesting, i loved Saeroyi unique character, that boy that have strong views of life and some how Lack social communication skills in good way. and let's say that the drama strong point was the unique characters not the story it self, that's why when the time come for the story to move on and Saeroyi grow his job they half ass jumping it felt unrealistic easy. and same thing in growing the characters. so i enjoy the drama tell ep 11 then it fall down with fast jump and force push for the love line and the boring long scenes even in the final ep, but i got satisfied just seeing everyone happy in the end so i give them a pass for that.

so if you going to start it don't thing so much in the revenge but the characters you will enjoy them but they will annoy the hell out of you too.

Acting was so good
i'm not fan of PSJ that's why i wasn't planing to watch this show in the start but i fall to him her he completely suit the character.

Yoo Jae Myung as Jang Dae Hee was amazing AMAZING what a great skills to hit me with the right feel.

Kim Da Mi as Jo Yi Seo : let's be real if any one play yiseo instead of DaMi it would get ton of hate ( it get ton but it would have another ton) the character is annoying and childish but she act it so well make it a bit cute and i'm sure a lot fall for the actor more than the character. Honestly i hate her till ep8 just think the actor cute then i start to love her after what she did for Saeroyi

Nara as Oh Soo Ah : same as Dami, her acting give a lot to the character to make me understand it. people who born alone in world learn to live alone and strong only for them selves.

osts was super good especially kim feel and Gaho osts.




spoiler coming so this part for people who watch already ::

in the start i enjoy the unique character and i have big hope for a character development but other than yiseo calming down a little there are non. and i thought the love line will go way better but..

for me it was a good drama until the ending of ep11 that rejection scene, then it's like another writer take over the drama like hell what someone who can't cook 2ep ago is wining competition against all big restaurant and the big lol a rich grandma in the street and yeah fast forward IC are 2 in the country. god if you plan to be ridiculous why give us a hope in strong Saeroyi and smart yiseo journey. and what with the wigs *sigh*
then the forced change in love line like the saeroyi who was in love with Sooah for 10 years i can accept that he lose interest in some point but the sudden falling in yiseo like "ah it was all her" was so off and forced and then push that by stupid kidnapping so we believe that love, ep 14/15 and half 16 was just ridiculous and boring. they could use that time to show him falling in love.
but i love that very last part when everyone become happy even tho i wasn't convinced by Saeyori ( and the kiss was bad) i loved how happy yiseo she deserve to be happy she worked hard haha. also the scene that get me so emotional was when she apologized to Geun Soo for using him. and SooAh bogum girl won. haha.

as i said before the unique characters was the best thing in the drama yet it annoy the hell out of me Honestly i hate yiseo till ep8 so childish and annoying and that type that get what i want no matter what and Run over and take advantage of other feelings so i hate that people hype her as badass while she is so bad the say she better than sooah but she just as bad lol the only different she work to get the man she want. i just love her bc she is cute and all lol but no don't hype that act young people me love to act like that lol. and what if she don't get the man girl leave everything to build him.
i also don't like the random gather of every type who have social problems like transgender, gay , black korean, gangster like yeah good to talk about accepting others but it feel forced by putting them all.

so yeah some are hyping it so much it was just good.

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This drama is different from what people usually watch. It tackles about business, corruption, life of an ex-convict, etc. If you want something about hardwork, revenge, business, and food, this drama is for you! Don't hesitate to watch it because of PSJ's hair haha. You'll learn to appreciate it. Da Mi's character is also different from the usual female leads. She is very straightforward and has a very strong personality. The acting of the villains is also superb! Chairman Jang was amazing all throughout. He'll really get you pissed, and irritated but you'll also pity him. The father-son relationship was also heartwarming. You'll see the difference on how the fathers teach their sons. This drama is a very good watch!

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This drama was quite emotional from the start. Story seemed really interesting and i thoroughly enjoyed watching the starting episodes but then it lost taste. Things seemed scattered. Nothing seemed to be on point but felt like the story is being dragged.
What was the fault of oh so aah? saeroyi gave her hope for 15 years and then what happened? His heart changed. Yi seo was the most heartless and inconsiderate person. Nothing good came from her mouth. Her personality was so annoying. She destroyed the life of guen-soo and wasn't even ashamed for it. Now the revenge part. I couldn't see any revenge by saeroyi. Everything kept repeating. He knelt before jang dae hee, he was again a victim of hit and run, he was powerless at the end. So Aah did everything and eventually it benefited saeroyi.
I felt bad for oh so aah all the time and was disgusted by the personality of yi seo. The story could have been better. The revenge could have been better. Guen-soo's character could be better.
Acting of park seo joon was way too good. His acting was mindblowing and i cried with him in the first two episodes.
I hope others think like that too.

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Itaewon Class was a breath of fresh air in that it takes familiar themes that we know well such as revenge and childhood affection and develops them in unique and unexpected ways. The cast is colorful and interesting and the leads are well acted and unlike your typical drama heroes. It doesn't lose steam until the end and there's plenty of jokes and exciting moments to go around. The OST only adds to the whole experience. The first few episodes are very much a setup and I didn't feel like it'll keep me interested but I realized I was slowly getting attached to the characters and it eventually became one of my favorite dramas ever.

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Characters

I don't care whether others like this drama or not but i totally hooked up to this drama. I think it's because of the character design.

Park seo joon: Male lead follows his values and principles , park seo joon did wonderful job

Kim da mi: As for female lead kim da mi, she's mind blowing and excellent. her character is very unique she'll do anything for sae ro yi. The way she warns others and being honest about her feelings most importantly she is a psycho I loved that I'm actually watching this show because of her only. I'm actually disappointed because Kwon nara is not the first female lead but after watching kim da mi I totally feel for her and her acting.

Kwon nara: first thing she's pretty. She involved in her character. The way she struggles between male lead and her company is potrayed perfectly she done a good job

Lee joo young: she's beautiful, her acting was good her character is also unique she's a transgender especially her voice I loved it. I loved her acting mainly in episode 12 Ending.

And every character has its back story and unique characterization. It's worth watching

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