Itaewon Class

The first 5/6 episodes were really good and had a good pace to it- i was immediately binge watching it. But slowly to the middle they didn't simmer out the story in a well-balanced way and it was always a fluctuating spike of interesting scenes and boring scenes (mostly boring xp). Additionally, they also over-dramatised a lot of minute and insignificant scenes in an attempt to keep the story’s pace going- but it only further distanced the audience from the story as it seemed so unrealistic and reminds them that this is just a drama.

A lot of the characters lacked development and were just played it out in small stories here and there- not having a good dynamic as a whole cast together. Only Saeroyi’s character development was complete and consistent, Yi-Seo’s was almost there- though a tad bit forced. The main problem I have with the show is how archetypal all the characters were. Archetypal characters can be played out nicely when the layerings are done carefully- but because ALL of the characters were pretty archetypal and only Saeroyi’s story was the main focus, all other characters did not have a chance to shine and seemed rather flat and unnatural.

Another thing i would criticise is how the director lacked awareness of what each scene may bring to the table. The first few episodes established the love story between Saeroyi and Soo-ah SO WELL that it may mislead a lot of audiences to root for them. They had a much more natural chemistry as compared to the latter love story, albeit their efforts to make the audiences hate Soo-ah and favour Yi-Seo.

This was a good story and held its central values tight, it definitely had a core message that each audience can have takeaway points from- unlike most K-dramas. But it had too many elements they tried to implement and the romance was almost unnecessary, though it made the show a tad bit cuter. I would still recommend the show though my comment seems rather negative HAHA. But that’s because i really loved the show at the beginning, and the thrust of the story- i just felt like they didn’t play it out well in the middle and did not do the story justice. I would also like to compliment how unique the setting of the show was! It was such a treat for us oversea-audience!

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Itaewon class as one of the most expected drama in this year was just an okay experience for me. I agree that there are segments which were different from the regular set of ROM coms but sometimes the drama tested my patience. Park SEO Joon had very little to do in this drama where the rest of the costars where mainly involved in the acting part. Finishing the drama, I had mixed feeling . Rich evil guy is something that is overused in kdrama world, and in this drama, it seemed more unrealistic. The chairman who played the antogonist role was superb ,I would say. The lead actress was okay, but there were moments when her acting got on my nerves.
Music and ost are below average. Finally , this is not a drama that I would recommend if you value your time and data

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If you want to go on a journey about human relationships that explores all the subtle nuances, gray areas, and motivations, that encompass being a human, then this is a must watch. Every single character was so finely etched and just the fact that you sympathize with each and every character in the show at least once, conveys the amount of depth and sincerity in the narrative. Every single scene has so many undertones and if you try and pay attention to everything that is NOT being said, along with everything that is being verbalized, you'll come to appreciate the brilliant storytelling even more. I can for sure say that just by watching this show, I was able to reflect more on my actions, motivations and aspirations, and grow into a better human being. The acting is A++++++. Will not be forgetting any of the characters, especially SRY and YS for a long long time.

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I’m not really one for writing reviews- just because I’m terrible at it haha.

Let me start with saying that it’s been awhile since I have been sucked right into a show with all the things I love, action, fighting, Revenge, I wouldn’t say romance to be exact .... maybe near the end but it fits perfectly with the direction of this show.

The story starts and ends really nicely for the amount of episodes, it ties up perfectly not rushed and finishes everything cleanly, I was super impressed actually since some shows tend to rush and leave you with questions.... they literally cover everything.


Music was really good I actually downloaded some of the sound track. Music was fitting with the scenes.


Acting: Every single character was amazing in there part!! I’m always blowin away with Park Seo-Joon acting, very talented !!



Like I said I’m no good at writing reviews lol this show is well worth the watch !! :)

Happy watching

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Some great messages and themes, delivered poorly in an overall lukewarm experience

This show just didn’t do anything for me, kind of all over the place. Around episode 10ish I felt no tension at all about what was going to happen, bored, but I was already so far in so I trudged until the end. I liked some of the concepts and issues the show tried to look at (school bullying, transgenderism, racism, abuse of power) but the presentation was quite over the top and cartoonish, and undoubtedly a bit too corny to take seriously. Everything was a bit too shallow and skimming the surface, nothing and no-one was explored in enough detail and even if it was, it was presented in such an unexciting way I managed to forget it or it blew past me. It’s also one of those shows where the ‘epic slow-mo moments’ drag way too long and you become aware of them, making them super ineffective and not cool at all.

Annoying tropes which put me off at the very start of the show:
-The villain characters are extremely over the top and in no way redeemable, they EEEVIL
-'Oh look one of the main character did something bad/something the other main wouldn't like ( one ep later ) no worries it was just a misunderstanding they're still perfect (AKA Soo Ah never called the police it was the 'totally how real humans act' evil catty girls who hate Yi Seo, even though it was later established Sae Ro Yi wouldn't even see it as a terrible act nor was it that bad)
-Setting up a parent/parent figure as extremely lovely, wholesome and wonderful angel with no flaws and then killing them off super early
-Whenever in doubt just slap someone it's totally great ... slap slap slap slap slap

‘Romance’: Any romantic parts in this show are incredibly wooden, no chemistry or excitement between anyone involved, I was convinced halfway through that Yi Seo and Sae Ro Yi were going to end up as a brother-sister relationship as it seemed Sae Ro Yi did not and was not going to see her romantically at all, but props to surprising me at the end I guess? At the same time it made Soo Ah into a completely useless character since all that there was to her was her childhood romance with Sae Ro Yi and it ended up not meaning much so… what was the point of building them up at all, it was boring and really dragged. It was just so weird how these characters went 5 year timeskips after 5 year timeskips still pining quietly after each other and expecting the audience to care about their nonexistent romance after the fact… bruh… they should have moved on(Yi Seo from Sae Ro Yi, Geun Soo from Yi Seo) long ago instead of waiting on people that on multiple occasions stated flat out they don’t like the other. It felt unrealistic and just plain dull. I’ve had a huge crush before and if the other person clearly doesn’t care at all it just goes away and you find someone or something else to obsess about, you don’t just sit still and structure your life around someone who doesn’t give a fk about you.

Thoughts on some of the characters:

Sae Ro Yi: Ok since he’s the main lead I’m supposed to be enamored with him and I did like him at the start but overall he wasn’t all that charming?? All he really did is every few episodes suddenly shout and then once everyone was staring at him in awe because ‘wow he raised his voice!’ he delivered his speech. That’s literally the first thing I remember about him besides his not so great haircut. Not very expressive nor interesting, but I appreciated his values and care for people.

Yi Seo: Again a good first impression and interesting with her ‘psycho’ persona, but predictably got annoying later on with being petty and clingy, but overall one of the best characters in terms of having charisma.

Soo Ah: Not a bad back-story and good in the first half of the show but becomes incredibly forgettable and unnecessary later into the show – all she does is keep working at Jangga and there’s absolutely nothing else to her except going to work and occasionally staring at Sae Ro Yi. Written lazily past the first few episodes.

Geun Soo: Was actually the most likeable character to me personally, early on, he was kinda sweet kid and his acting was expressive. It made no sense he would suddenly work at Jangga but I guess since Geun Won was at prison they needed a new ‘villain’ since the old man wasn’t enough apparently. That kid who worked at DanBam and who was treated like nothing by his ‘family’ would never have gone to work there and hurt one of his close friends. He only seemed to because of the convoluted romance plot – again, as if you would structure your whole life around the person you have a ‘crush’ on(which isn’t even explained why besides he still ‘likes’ her even tho she has a terrible psycho personality) and become an asshole like your brother who you hated your whole life and had to live with. As if you’d go and help your shitty fathers company, after having worked in a wholesome place like DanBam with your friends.

Geun Won: It’s funny how in a weird way I liked seeing him on screen more than the main characters purely because his performance wasn’t so wooden and boring, this dirtbag had more charisma and expression in one scene than Sae Ro Yi had in the whole show. Sure, it was just Sae Ro Yi’s character personality but that doesn’t mean he isn’t sleep inducingly boring to watch as the main character. You can have a stoic main character all you want but if there’s nothing interesting besides virtue and justice to him he isn’t all that great of a character. Anyway, Geun Won was quite the cartoonish villain in many ways, could have been much more toned down to get the point across, almost thought he’d get some sort of redemption or twist down the line but sadly not, would have been more compelling.

Big Boss Dae Hee: One of the better written characters since he didn’t flip-flop around, it was clear what he stood for and what kind of person he was, yet still he could surprise. He was given enough back-story and depth so he didn’t feel as one dimensional like many of the other characters. The easily best in the show acting performance helped.

Overall I just feel, well, I don’t really feel much about the show. It just wasn’t great.

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Itaewon class started as a full of heart, emotional and intelligent drama not unlike its beautiful characters and it stayed that way for most of the part. To the point, that based on the first 60% alone, I'd give it a solid 9.

However, towards the end it lost a lot of its identity and took a turn most run-of-the-mill k-dramas do. The writing took a lot of hits as it floundered confused about what direction to take.

Out of the blue kidnappings, dramatic fight scenes, near death experiences and other ridiculousness that was so unlike what the show stood for. It started as a very bearing drama with a constant melancholic but hopeful vibe as it documented the journey of various characters with different paths in life who came together to build a dream with tenacity and determination. Never knew it would turn into fucking "The K2" towards the end. Lol

Speaking of characters, Park Sae Joon did a brilliant job bringing forward a hero unlike many others. He was the definition of silent strength, a brilliant mind and perseverence. A man who got up again and again even with the odds stacked against him. Someone who managed to retain his composure, compassion and child like purity despite all the shit life handed to him.

Kim Da Mi, surely the breakout artist of the year was a delight to watch. Yi Soo was a tiny ball of vicious energy. She was driven and determined to the core, with a sharp young mind and someone who never gave up no matter what you did to her.

At the same time however, she was also incredibly rude, selfish and did downright horrible things. I'm all up for that as it added to her complexity and made her sweet moments all the more impactful but I hated that her backstory was not explored at all. What made her that way? I would really like to know but nopes.

Some people didn't buy the romance but I did. I think the drama pulled this aspect fairly well. Both of them played a significant part in the other's life. For Yi Soo, her quest for love gave her genius but idle mind a purpose, it grounded her and made her a better person and for Saeroyi, Yi Soo was his backbone. The true kingmaker and the force behind his success. When everyone told him his dreams were impossible she not only stood by them, she made them happen.

They were good for each other which is why the romance rang true for me. Sure, Yi Soo was a bit obsessive and took it to another level but that was her character from the start. Love or success, she'd take everything to the extreme. (Again, I'm annoyed at the fact why that was so. We are just supposed to accept her personality as it is though without any insight.)

All the characters had their amazing moments in the show however some did not develop as nicely as they could have cause of bad writing 101. The second FL came through at times but mostly her victim-is-me mentality annoyed me to no end. The villains were okay-ish, none too exceptional but they did the job.

Over-all, the drama delivered a lot of important messages and did a good effort at being woke. That said, it also had a lot of corny, overly sappy and unrealistic moments where I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

In the end, I'll say that while this drama was definitely not exceptionally good in terms of writing and later on even the execution, it was a fun ride for sure. I binged it in 2 days straight and never found an episode that made me yawn.

So while I do reccomend it, I would advise not to have sky high expectations going in, because of the hype surrounding it.

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I don't know where to start. It's so fascinating how a story with such a gripping hook and beautiful portrayal of a broken teenager could turn into a sap story cliche. Not only did the acting turn sour, the characters and the plot completely pushed it down the cliff of cringe. Some of the moments were honestly so atrocious, I found myself yelling at the TV screen; how could a series go from phenomenal to something so sub-par in a matter of 8 episodes?

Let's start with the acting. For the first 5-6 episodes, Park Seo-Joon had my heart. I felt like I wanted to hold him as he battled the more than flawed system. I wanted to kill anyone who'd damaged this poor boy, yet he continued to get up and persevere. They way that he swayed me with his constant belief in his principles and how he didn't want anything more than to be a son that his father could say he was proud of; he totally had me. I was constantly impressed (that is until episode 8 and on). He went from the strong boy to a clueless and dependent man. Nothing like I wanted him to become.

And his relationship with his female leads? Atrocious. Purely horrendous to watch. First it's that childhood crush of his, Soo-Ah. He constantly talked about how independent she was and that she should only rely on herself? I call bull. Constantly wants to be assured that PSJ likes her while she's practically lying in bed with the family that killed his father, got him expelled and tried to ruin his career. And she sheds a tear when he gives a little more attention to himself than to her? I honestly have to laugh at this hypocrite. Selfish, inconsiderate, dependent, lazy, etc.

And let's go to little miss Yi-Seo. If you think constantly reminding someone who's rejected you for 5-6 years is romantic, you're twisted. If you reversed the roles around, the man would be considered to be harassing the women, but just because she's a young, pretty and smart woman, it's a pass? That's disgusting. Nothing about their relationship is romantic. She's a smart woman but wouldn't know professionalism if it her in the face. This goes for Soo-Ah too. Not any of the three deserve to be in a relationship. PSJ is indecisive about anything related to his heart, Soo-Ah just likes the idea of being chased, and Ii-Seo has can't get over a first love. It's ironic that she once said that just because you get rejected once doesn't mean they're the only one, and yet she's being an annoying baby about PSJ. Both females are hypocrites, and PSJ is just plain stupid.

Honestly, the saving graces were To-Ni, Hyun-Yi, and Seung-Kwon. Thank the directors for being inclusive with these characters. I wouldn't say I'm an advocate for the LGBTQIAA+, but I truly wanted to understand the group better thanks to Hyun-Yi's portrayal of one of their many struggles. Thank you for that refreshing character.

I was really hoping for a lasting drama considering the acting cast. There were so many weak links, it just couldn't be possible. I have to say though, the first 8 episodes were beautifully well down. I do not mean to hate on this drama, but I'm criticizing it because I know that the actors could and can do better.

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We need more dramas like this one!

I was super excited to write a review of this drama because I've enjoyed it soo much! If you browse through some reviews on MyDramaList, you'll see that there are many negative ones. I feel like this drama deserves a lot better and I'm going to tell you why.

Story: First of all, I think we all know this drama is not perfect. It was messy at times, but you could tell the producers tried their best to make it unique and memorable. For me personally, they really achieved that. As for the story, I loved it (at least most of the time). While watching this drama, I've learned so much about the definition of hard work, going after your dreams and goals no matter what and showing the world you can do it. And you learn some cool things about cooking, food, and advertising. It was interesting to get a little insight into this industry. I found it truly amazing how Park Saeroyi managed to stick to his goals and values, even though he had to overcome many obstacles and hurdles to reach his dreams. But let's just appreciate the fact that he really did it! His determination inspired me to go after my dreams as well. Now I feel like I want to work harder in order to live the life I want! Thank you Park Saeroyi for teaching me some life lessons and for motivating me to do my best!
I loved this aspect of the story but I figured the vibe of the whole drama (like being an outcast, working hard etc.) kind of changed at a certain point towards the end (when he established his company) which made me quite upset, to be honest. I was also a tad annoyed the main focus on this drama lied on revenge. This became quite tiring after a while... From then on I wasn't really excited to see the ending. But thank god, the last episode totally convinced me to give it a 9/10. Also, it felt super refreshing to watch because they covered topics like sexuality (transgender), racism, and whatnot. It was the first time ever I've seen something like this in a K-drama and I'm glad Korea is starting to get more open-minded in terms of topics like these <3

Characters/Cast: I cannot lie, THE CAST WAS AMAZING! This was my first drama with Park Seo-Joon (Park Saeroyi) and wow, he's an amazing actor and I cannot wait to see his other dramas! He totally pulled off his role as Park Saeroyi and it was perfect for him! As I have mentioned above, I love Park Saeroyi and I still think a lot about this drama and how he managed to achieve everything he wanted despite the circumstances. He is a big inspiration to me and I'm glad I watched this drama!
As for Kim Da-Mi (Jo Yi-Seo), She was my favorite character in the whole drama! I really can't believe it was her first role in a drama ever... She was absolutely amazing in it! I also cannot wait to see more dramas with her! Yi-Seo is now officially one of my favorite female characters ever! She was so damn badass, iconic, and cool! She would do everything for Saeroyi and it really pissed me off in the beginning that he couldn't see her as a woman. I mean yes, she is like 10 years younger but come on, who cares? I shipped them right from the beginning and I wished they had gotten together a little bit earlier. It took him ages to realize he loves her... At least they ended up being together which made me very happy. The two of them really deserve only the best!
A character I absolutely couldn't stand was Oh Soo-Ah! Gosh, I hated her so much! In the first episodes, I thought she was okay but oh no, she wasn't. Working for Jangga and the chairman knowing what they had done to Park Saeroyi and his dad made me so angry. I really couldn't understand how Saeroyi has loved her for 10 years! She was a hypocrite, expecting him to love her but silently turning her back on him. I couldn't even look at her face because it made me mad. But I do have to admit I was glad she had a little character development at the end. The last episode made me hate her a little less. What confused me as well, was the character Jang Geun-soo. I loved him in the beginning but once he started working at Jangga he really started disappointing me. I was glad he apologized for his deeds and became a better person in the end. I guess I don't have to say how much I hated the Chairman and his stupid, cruel son.
Other than that, I loved the squad and the staff at DanBam. Super lovely people <3

Music: This is something I was super excited to write about as well! The OSTs were amazing and I'm sure I'll never forget them. Especially the songs "You Make Me Back" by Woosung and "Start Over" by Gaho will stay in my playlist for a looong time! They are super motivating. I also loved the instrumental songs and I love listening to the whole OST album :)

In conclusion, should you watch this drama? Yes. Is it perfect? No.
I feel like this drama's imperfection is really not that bad cause it showcases that life itself is NOT perfect at all and that everyone is going through life for the first time. This drama was a total rollercoaster ride with unforgettable characters, amazing acting, and awesome music. It's now one of my favorite dramas and I hope it can become one of yours too. :)

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To me Itaewon class is one of those drama I would definitely let my kids watch. Apart from all the romance in it. It’s such an eye opener. You get to see the world from different angles. It also shows us the relationship between people. Those who will willingly sacrifice for you and those who are greedy. I always tell my friends this. We can never choose who are parents are, we can never choose your own name when you born and you can’t choose the color of your skin either. But we can choose who we make our friends, we can choose our spouses and we can choose who are business partners are. So choose wisely. I enjoyed it very much FYI I’m not the type that rewatches a drama again no matter how good it is that’s why I scored the rewatch value at 7

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Danbam, a sweet night. And I had many sweet nights (and days) watching this drama on a weekly basis.

The story is not ground-breaking. It is your standard David vs Goliath revenge tale, but sprinkle in characters like Park Sae Ro Yi and his immovable principles, Jo Yi Seo and her cunning brilliance, and I'm hooked.
Contrary to what is said in the show, is it not easy to be a person like Sae Ro Yi (or Yi Seo, either) and that was a lot of the appeal for me; to see a character so unfamiliar and uncommon in a world that does not favor those who don't compromise.
The development of supporting characters is also very good, especially Seung Kwon.
The romance wasn't the point of the story for me but I wasn't disappointed or confused by the result. It was also really enjoyable to see Soo Ah and Yi Seo square off time and time again.

I would definitely recommend a watch of this show and hope you can take some lessons to heart on the way.

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Itaewon Class is one of those rare kdramas that have an explosive start. The first two episodes are enough to capture the viewers' attention and raise their anticipation. The plot is strong, very promising, I wouldn't say unique, but is still a rare gem in the kdrama world an feels like a breath of fresh air. The screenplay is amazing and gives a sense of hope and inspiration while showing common people strive through hardships and do the unthinkable. The drama has also touched sensitive issues like racism and lgbtq and has dealt with it quite well, given that it is a korean drama. But the ending just put me off very badly. I am so disappointed. They could have pulled it off in the most majestic way, yet they had to drive us all into the overused hole of romantic angles and cliches. The determination and principle that started the very plot of the drama seem to fall flat towards the end. The drama didn't do justice to many characters and gives a bad aftertaste.
Well, I couldn't end the review without talking about the characters. The group of misfits namely Seungkwan, Hyunyi, Toni, Yiseo and their boss/leader/mentor Saeroyi are the center of attraction in this drama. Park Seojoon's portrayal of the character Saeroyi is awesome. He is trustworthy, dependable and an awkwardly funny character, capable of making the viewers laugh with him as well as shed tears with him, though his decisions towards the end of the drama disappointed me a lot. The unbreakable bond between these characters is a delight to watch. Kwon Nara as Soo Ah has done a fantastic job. She represents the independent working woman of 21st century, struggling through her internal conflicts between loyalty, gratitude, competition and love. Ahn Bo Hyun as Jang Geun Won is totally believable as the typical rich brat who bullies anyone and everyone on his way but is actually an insecure kid at heart, terrified of his father. Speaking of his father Chairman Jang Dae Hee (played by Yoo Jae Myung) is the epic villain of the story. This character deserves equal appreciation as that of Saeroyi. He is evil, shrewd, plays dirty politics but on the other hand, is hardworking, self-made, inspiring and a successful man. Yoo Jae Myung gives a new persona to this vicious character and i am sure the viewers will see this villain in a different light. As much as I hate this character, there is a certain sense of admiration and respect towards him in my heart which I can't explain. Lastly Yiseo (played by Kim Da Mi)- oh boy, i can't deal with her. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't like her at all, nor relate to her feelings even remotely. She is a confident, smart and very capable young lady but has lots of negative traits. Okay, her character is meant to be a sociopath, but that doesn't give anyone the free pass to act in the most hypocritical way possible. She uses people and discards them like an old tissue. The fact that she is one of the main leads in the drama and doesn't even have a character growth at the end just angers me the most. The rest of the supporting cast have done their job quite well. I just wish there were an alternate ending to this story, a more righteous and impactful one. I would recommend you to watch Itaewon Class but I can't guarantee you that you will like the ending. For Park Seo Joon fans, definitely go for it, for the awesome fight scenes and his signature awkward comedy.

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Promising Start that lead to a disaster

THINGS I LIKE
(+) Strong starting hook
(+) Relatively strong to decent acting
(+) Diverse and inclusive cast
(+) Plot is somewhat inspiring
(+) 1-2 memorable OSTs

THING I DIDN'T LIKE
(-) Story quality decreases half way through
(-) Unnatural and misplaced romance throughout
(-) Flat antagonists that becomes more illogical as the plot progress
(-) Major plot scenes felt forced
(-) the main character Park SaeRoYi only accomplish his goals through luck

REVIEW
The opening episodes did an exceptional job to draw you in with a very unjust conflict that reliably foreshadowed the themes of revenge. The first 3-4 episodes was executed in a very unpredictable manner that was great at making you second guess on where the plot was going and made it effortless to binge watch. However, I can't give the same compliment to the rest of this drama as the scenes begin to drag soon after and this got worse later on.

(Spoilers) By far the biggest issues I have with this drama are the characters and their character development. Firstly, our main protagonist Park SaeRoYi really wasn't all that intelligent as a businessman. Had he not luckily got YiSeo to fall in love with him, he would have not even come close to his success in the end as he did. In fact, both of the women that loved him were far more competent than he was. It only took a numerous amount of second chances where he'd almost completely run his company to the ground due to his stubbornness before he was able to learn from his mistakes. And technically, Soo Ah was actually the one who destroyed Jangga, not SaeRoYi. Secondly, I also just cannot relate to YiSeo's character. It made no sense to me that she would love SaeRoYi so much just after learning about his past whereas before she was a girl who did not give a f*** about anything. Her character is quite controversial among all the reviews I've seen - people either find her creepy and overly obsessive or admire her dedication. Either way, her character as a whole is just a huge stretch especially if you consider how little she knew of Park SaeRoYi before deciding to dedicate her entire life around him. I also want to comment on HyunYi (the chef of DanBam). She came from a background with zero education and experience of cooking and somehow she is able to be beat Jangga just by some trial and error style learning with YiSeo's taste-testing? Like, I wish the world was that easy. The last comment I want to make are for the villains - both Jang Geun Won (the son) and Jang Dae Hee (father)'s character just feel really flat and one-directional. The son being reckless is something I can see but Dae Hee is the CEO of a massive corporation. Yet, his way of thinking is just way too immature for anyone close to being as successful as he is supposed to be.

Overall, I think this drama had good ideas and meaningful intentions but tried way too hard to make a grand finale for this story resulting in poor and disconnected execution.

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