This review may contain spoilers
Great drama
It was intense since the first scene. Seeing how the main actor actually uses strategies and the things around him to settle problems is really exciting and intense. Though he didn't win a lot of fights, I think it's still really cool. Before any fight scene started, my heart would really just be pumping really hard and fast of course hoping that the main actor can win. The bullies that he had to face were very skilled as well especially the few bully that knocked out the main actor's friend causing his friend to actually I think go into coma. He avenged his friend and that was the most intense part. He had to transfer schools and yet met with more bullies. It was a cliffhanger which is the only thing I wasn't really pleased about. Really hope for a season 2.Was this review helpful to you?
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Fair Adaptation from the Webtoon
When this first came out and everyone was raving about it and about Park Jihoon’s stellar performance I was really excited to watch it. But, I saw that it was adapted from a webtoon and decided to read that first. There’s currently 3 seasons with it still being updated, and ended up being quite confused on season 1 compared to the webtoon.However, after finishing season 1 in the webtoon I realized that the show is a prequel to it, and are things of which we only see through Sieun’s/Gray’s flashbacks. I was then very interested to see how they would flesh out the flashbacks into a series. The webtoon starts with Sieun/Gray arriving at Eunjang, which we see at the end of season 1.
I do have to say, it’s not quite like the webtoon, or accurately adapted. As seen in the series, Sieun is a loner who only cares about academics. He has no sense of a goal for life and is lost and tries to fill that hole with excelling in academics. Stephen/Suho approaches Sieun after he realizes that Sieun is lost and has no clear goal and takes him under his wing. He begins to show him what life is like outside of academics and how much fun he can have. Sieun wasn’t bullied at first nor did the bullies mess with his grades by placing a fetanyl patch on him as we see in the show. And Stephen/Suho was not a martial arts fighter, he was just a good guy that liked helping others.
Their friendship with Bryce/Beomseok is pretty accurate though, but also not at the same time. They became friends because Stephen/Suho approached Beomseok/Bryce in the cafeteria because he was alone. There was no background information about Beomseok/Bryce being bullied at a former school. He did however have an inferiority complex as he did in the webtoon, but it stems from when he heard girls saying how handsome Stephen/Suho and Gray/Sieun were. The more he started hanging out with them, the more he felt inferior to them. This is what led to his fall into delinquency and started targeting Stephen/Suho for bullying and even got Oswald and friends to start it. They started a group chat with the class, excluding Sieun and Suho, and spread a rumor that they were romantically involved. Gray/Sieun had no idea Suho was being bullied because Suho shielded him from it. He wanted to handle it on his own, because he couldn’t live with himself if anything happened to Sieun, which eventually led to him falling off of the roof after being lured there by Beomseok/Bryce and his friends and falling into a coma while Sieun was at a Math Olympiad. Which leads to a very big character arch for Sieun as he is terrified of going to rooftops because of what happened. It’s his thing, he DOESNT do rooftops.
In the series, Sieun/Gray tries to shelter Stephen/Suho from the bullying and goes himself, completely opposite of the webtoon. We also see in the series that after finding out about Stephen/Suho going into a coma, he immediately goes to Byuksan and finds and beats up those who were involved, but never actually beating up Beomseok. In the webtoon, Gray falls into a 2 month depression and doesn’t go to school, and only after his return does he get revenge on Beomseok and Oswald and friends and he actually beats up Beomseok to the point of unconsciousness.
But of course. this seems to be a little too boring for a show so I guess you have to add some pizzaz lol I’m not sure what the whole gambling thing was about but it was completely unnecessary. Even though we get no parental background on any of the characters in the webtoon, I do like the fleshing out of sieun’s parents, and why sieun is the way he is.
So I guess, in short, the series is nothing like the webtoon, but you gotta do what you gotta do to get views and spruce up the story. I would say season 1 of Weak Hero Class is “loosely” based on the webtoon. So for my webtoon readers, don’t get your hopes up for a good adaptation. Try your best to understand why they changed and provided different storylines for the series as to make it more appealing to those who did not read the webtoon.
The series itself, apart from the webtoon, is great. If I get rid of all biases towards the show adaptation, I do have to say I can see why it has such stellar reviews and I do have to admit Park Jihoon does an amazing job at embodying the character of Gray/Sieun. All actors in the show gave an amazing performance, and the music also played an integral role in setting the emotion for the show as I almost cried when we all thought Suho died (even though i knew he didn’t). The show had a great production value and I see why everyone likes it. If i hadn’t read the webtoon i easily would’ve given it a 9 or maybe even a 10, but because of my bias of reading the webtoon beforehand, I gave it an 8.5.
I still enjoyed the season 1 and am now very looking forward to season 2 since these are the characters I know and love and are attached to. All I have to say is they better not fuck it up haha
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My best drama from 2022?
This drama was literally perfect in everyway! Like how to not fall in love with it for the 100000th time??The acting was amazing, lead chemistry, Plot exceptional and all to fall in love with.
if I'm to say, what I love most about this drama is the lead chemistry { omg my SooEun CP) 😂 Help, They were so cute. And also the Plot which was mind blowingly amazing and unexpected.
I cried, sure. I cried for literally almost one hour because it was that I can't let go!!! I want a s2 right now!!
Overall, This drama is that amazing and I'd recommend you to check it out now and fall in Love with perfection as well
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This review may contain spoilers
i wasn't ready!!!
I have never given a drama a perfect score...or watched one in one sitting although a short one.first of all, whatever you're expecting, it's not what you'll get...at all.
also if you have a past in bullying mild or extreme this will be an emotional roller coaster...
that being said it's been a long time since I straight out ugly cried over fictional characters, but those last few episodes had me baying for blood and drowning in tears.
the revenge wasn't enough...all those f**ckers deserved way more...cowards!!!!...maybe I'm projecting
I'm so happy there was a hint about a continuation...because I feel unfulfilled...I need to see if Bum Seok is drowning in guilt...i hope so...and if my man Soo woke up and hauled ass to that other school...I seriously need that team back together...
.....now let me go finish my project🙂🙂🙂
Can't wait!!!!
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This review may contain spoilers
You Need To See This
This is one of those dramas that will stay with me. It’s very emotionally heavy (lots of emotions bubbling underneath the surface) and it’s these volatile emotions that lead to quite graphic scenes of violence that may make viewers uncomfortable but I think it’s dramas like this one that needs to be viewed so that those emotions can sit with you. It’s important to feel these emotions vicariously (which you do - very much so) and recognise where they are coming from. They should resonate with you, as it’s a hard look at how people become this way.This drama was very illustrative, with the three main leads representing how someone can end up so far down a certain path. Each character is at different stages of that path. Soo Ho could have easily used his skills to become a school bully and give in to baser instincts but he doesn’t. Even when he has issues with Boem Seok he makes sure not to cross the line. He is someone who knows when to stop. Shi Eun is someone who was headed down the wrong path and about to give in to all his (understandable) anger and pent up frustration. I could feel him holding back in the earlier episodes. The tension was so thick and heavy, at times it felt suffocating so I can only imagine how much Shi Eun was being stifled by it. You can drown in those kinds of emotions and life circumstances where you feel like the boot is constantly on your neck. All that anger and resentment just to be greeted with more of the same each day. No wonder people in these circumstances flip out and rain down hell in a violent outburst when it finally breaks them and the anger comes spilling out.
Thankfully, Shi Eun was brought back from the brink before he went too far. He had someone like Soo Ho to pull him away from the edge and most importantly, Shi Eun was receptive to his help/intervention. This is where Boem Seok differs. The writers, director and most importantly; the actor, did a great job of showing the similarities and parallels between Shi Eun and Boem Seok’s characters and then showed how unlike Shi Eun, Boem Seok allowed himself to go to the brink. Unlike Shi Eun, he did not heed the warnings to stop before he was too far gone. And while he was justified in his anger and needing remedy for his pain; he crossed the line and became a victim who victimises.
What’s even more resonant is seeing how Boem Seok’s actions also drags Shi Eun past the brink as he loses it at the end and gives in to his pent up anger, frustration and resentment. Watching him in the second half of the finale, I felt so exhausted and emotionally drained. He looked tired, empty and like he had just returned from war, a shell of a person. This is the outcome when people are pushed too far. This is how someone loses the light behind their eyes.
The actors portray the complex states of emotions expertly. If you want to see characters who are real shades of grey; this is a drama that is a great illustration of that in the most harrowing way. You will not be disappointed.
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ONE OF THE BEST!
This review may seem bias and all, but Weak Hero Class 1 is definitely one of the best school centered plot drama out there, in my opinion. From the beginning up until the end of the series, I can say that everything about it is just amazing. Each characters were able to put justice into their roles, and the acting is insane!As a Wannable, Jihoon was incredibly amazing in every aspect! Anyways, this is definitely a must watch AND rewatch, especially if you're into these types of dramas. ^__^
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If I had to go off the scale I would
By far one of my fav kdramas of all time 10000000/10 , I had nth to complain about , it was perfect , I'm waiting unpatiently for the 2nd season.The choice of characters was sooo on point , I can't think of more fitting actors , it made me feel a lot of emotions, I was looking fit smth like this , if I had the opportunity to wipe my memory and rewatch it I would in a Heartbeat, it portrays high-school reality and from diffrence perspective through the characters , I specifically loved how they bonded by helping each other , all I can say is that u don't need to waste one second reading through reviews, just go watch it and thank later .
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This drama surprised me
I had known about this drama for a few months but never actually started it since i didn’t think much of it from what I heard. All i knew is that Park Jihoon and Choi Hyun Wook (who i really liked in twenty five twenty one btw, he’s a great actor!) played the two main characters. I started it a few days ago and i have to say it’s so much better than i ever imagined.The story is something almost everyone can relate to, it’s about high school students who all have similar but very different lives at the same time. My favorite character was definitely Ahn Sooho (Choi Hyunwook), but I really liked Sieun too. I quickly got very attached to both characters, their friendship is so well portrayed and it’s realistic too. The actors did such a great job with that and had great chemistry as a duo.
This drama contains violence and I did see some people who thought about dropping it because of that. For me personally I love action dramas but I can understand that since it’s school violence and gets pretty extreme at times.
I want to add that I loved the music so much too! the intro song ‘Hero’ has been added to the playlist!! The music fits the entire concept of this drama and brought everything together and made it even more emotional 😭🫶
This drama constantly kept me on the edge of my seat and I had no problem finishing it in 2 days😂
It’s no doubt one of my favorite k-dramas i’ve watched so far!
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Intense
I saw this ranked #1 of all K-dramas on Letterboxd for 2022, after finishing My Liberation Notes (ranked 2nd). Seeing the premise, I immediately thought of a violent, unstopping tirade of power against the weak, but what I saw was that and power against those who choose to oppress the weak. Right from episode 1 you see a kid get revenge on his tormentor in a fashion nearly John Wick style that a certain level of torture has to bring about - the question then is, how far can you go, and they just keep on going. Korea always deliversWas this review helpful to you?
"You guys are so predictable. Does this fill your ego?"
(+)To sum up this series: this is the ancient tale of the fragility of youth and/or the toxicity of macho masculinity. Wherein the only emotions that most males could muster here is their ego-filled aggression, anger, and greed.
(-)
School bullying and male aggression have been, as prior mentioned, an ancient tale. As if a vampire that continues to age, but never dies—these issues are almost, if not always, part of most KDramas and even those from other countries. Though, an ancient thing does not always mean a cliche thing, especially such matters that are as rampant and relevant as these mentioned subjects.
What made this series rather different was its straightforwardness right from the start. It was gripping to watch from start to finish as there were no unnecessary fillers neither irrelevant tropes. Although I enjoy a little romance at times, I was glad that it was rather focused on its very themes of youth, friendship, and violence instead of distracting the audience with side stories of romance as what most KDramas love to do.
It was satisfying to watch a main protagonist that is so serious about their studies and being a responsible student all while still not being a pushover and also not refusing to back down to bullies. It can be really exhausting to see this trope of a nerdy intellectual student who is always portrayed as weak or a pushover. Thus, it was really satiating to see the main protagonist apply their interests in maths, psychology, physics, etc. as a strategy in their physical fights in spite of not being absolutely gifted in physical strength.
(x)
The series is truly a heart-wrenching violence multiplied. Yet, it was also a sundry of heart-warming spectacles. Dark and horrific, but the humanity here was not blind.
(÷)
As much as I really liked this series, I still have some divisive opinions. I instantly appreciated the way they started this with the main protagonist applying maths, physics, and psychology in his physical fights. Though, towards the end, such premise deteriorated and was not properly utilized. I understood that towards the climax, the emotions of the main protagonist were totally heightened and desperate for revenge. Though, the revenge could have been much more intriguing and also consistent with the way they introduced his character if they utilized more such wit and strategic thinking.
(=)
Overall, I still can say that this series was absolutely outstanding, especially, in terms of acting performance, pacing, direction, and musical composition. I was really impressed with Si-Eun (Ji Hoon)'s performance here, especially that intense eye acting. Yes, I really love it when a thespian do know how to act greatly with their eyes.
The OST and the direction and choreography of the action scenes were also marvelous. The writing was also excellent, though I believe that there was still more necessary exertion to do. Though, I really despise this old tale of violence being a never-ending cycle. Thus, I am looking forward to its final end in the upcoming second season.
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la historia y la actuación
muy buena 👌se las recomiendo al millllll
la historia o el guión es muy bueno 👌 desde el primer capítulo me agarro
la actuación del protagonista es muy buena mi iso llorar nada más con verlo una excelente actuación 🎭 .
como le decía que esta bien narrada .
cuenta una historia que creo que vivimos en la vida real . en los grandes problemas que nos podemos meter . que hoy en día es algo que en esta juventud vive .
espero la segunda temporada no puede quedar con ese final .
se las recomiendo no lo piensen mucho y véanla.
los pueden ver en doramasgo,doramasflix,entre otras .10 de 10.
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This review may contain spoilers
Incredible drama unfolded
Additionally, this series satisfied my appetite because I have always been a big fan of gory dramas. The drama's acting is something that needs to be discussed frequently because the characters keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you wondering what their next move will be. Additionally, the relationships that were portrayed in the K-drama are noteworthy, particularly the bromance. Initially, when the main character is introduced to us, he is portrayed as a person who, in theory, has no empathy for or attachment to those around him. But as the story goes on, it becomes clear that this is all a façade. Once he becomes attached to you, he will stop at nothing to keep you safe, and even when you betray him, it is difficult for him to beat or destroy you. I discovered that this K-drama is based on a webtoon; even though the source material was not exactly adhered to, some homage was still paid to it. I am going to read the webcomic as a result, so I can confirm for myself that it is brilliant, just as everyone has said.The OSTs that were played really captured the spirit of the drama; I enjoyed them in every episode. This K-drama, which also has psychological overtones, should really be watched by everyone. I never rewatch movies or television shows, but I might make an exception for this series, so that is the only reason I gave it an 8 for rewatch value. I am excited for this Korean drama's second season.
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