Itaewon Class (2020)

I am not good at writing reviews and I usually don't but I had to try to write one for this drama. It's a very motivating drama to overcome anything you do in your life and realize your mistakes and overcome them, when you fall to get back up. The story 10/10! Most people are in for the romance but if you pay attention to the storyline there are so many lessons in this drama that made me realize different perspectives of life. Songs 10/10! I had to go look up the lyrics to the ost but the messages are amazing and powerful! The cast 10/10! I felt as if I was the main actor, the expression the cast put on during sad moments was so well. Overall I'd rewatch this again and again once I finish watching my other dramas this is something I'd like to rewatch for motivation.

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I don't think I need to tell anyone who is an avid KDrama watcher that PSJ has always been a fantastic rom-com actor but Itaewon Class has definitely been a great addition to his repertoire of great KDramas. Park Sae Ro Yi is a terrific character written by Kwang Jin writer nim and PSJ had done full justice to his role, he almost shocked me with his subtle emotional acting which I thought he was not able to showcase in his not so serious feel-good dramas of the past.

Now, lets come to the crux of this drama, Itaewon Class is a beast of a drama when it comes to detailed description of the wonderful Itaewon region which itself plays a character and even drives the plot forward. The dramas shows the class division between the meglomaniac rich and the hard working class using food & restaurant industry as backdrop. It really sets itself apart from other dramas on how all the characters main as well side are crucial for moving the story forward and each one of them reaches a statisfying conclusion in the end with good enough character development.As I can assure you that some of the MDL reviews here are thinking too much critically of the plot which I think is due to most Kdrama watchers being casual viewer who love more good feel and unrealistic dramas but IMAO this drama is too realistic for their taste.Its a motivational revenge story with hint of revenge & social commentary.

Romance is there in this drama but not too much but , its unique in the sense that instead of displaying affection in crude and cringe ways as most of us are used to watching in other KDramas like forced flirting, stalking, kissing, one sided love of second male lead and stupid love triangle to take revenge from each other exes, this dramas portrays love in a different manner.Here, people who care for each other don't run behind each other carelessly and cringing the F out of the situation, instead they support each other and try their level best to make each other's dream come true so quite maturity is shown when it comes to potray how ambitious people pursue their love in contrast to teenagers & adolescents who are more emotional & impulsive.

This is a pitch perfect dramas for business aspirants and shows how greed can never replace loyalty and human friendship. DanBam team shows how with dedication & hardwork one can achieve success without compromising one own morals & principles and the bromance & sismance as well as the general camaraderie between the characters was funny as well as touching to watch.

Both the female leads were great Kwon Nara looked beautiful through out the drama and her character 's relationship with Jo Yi Seo who plays the lead character of DanBam manager is specially one of a kind as I have said before you may have never seen before in a Kdrama that girls who are love rivals are not pulling each other hair apart but helping each other grow! PSJ equation with both of the girls was refreshing to see and you will keep guessing who he will end up with till a certain episode. Both the villain characters were fabulous on making us hate them and it was always a balanced battle between PSJ & villain CEO which was entertaining and unpredictable to watch.

Rest of the supporting cast got good meaty roles and through them writer nim brought some attention to Koreans bias towards transgender, foreigners & ex-convicts who want to start fresh.Kim Dong Hee of ATeen was good at his role and I am looking forward to watch him in more mature roles as he seems like a good actor but not getting roles that he deserve so far in his career. At the end, I would like to say that Itaewon Class was robbed 'Drama of the year' nom at Baeksang Awards as it deserved so but none the less its OST 'Start over' sang by Gaho will be my OST for motivating me for rest of the year.Hope for more Webtoons getting Itaewon Class like adaptations.

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I decided to write a review for this drama after talking with my friend about how I enjoyed the show but also got very annoyed while watching it.

Okay SO basically why I watched it? There's only one correct answer, you guessed it, Park Seo Joon.
Why did I finish watching it? Park Saeroyi, the only character who deserves rights.

Okay so the plot is I loved it. Instead of the normal ML becomes a CEO, and rich overnight the story gives us the little happiness of life, slowly but surely you win the race and that's exactly what ML did. Saeroyi is so strong and downright admirable I just wanna give bby a hug.

The romance was kinda meh tbh I really don't consider it an important factor of the drama. Both FL and SFL have flaws that make you want to pause and scream but you get over it. Some of the scenes were hilarious. Yi Seo out here being petty af, I live for a fearless FL. Where she's amazingly smart and talented, she does everything for ML success, shes still young, un-experienced and a lil narrowminded, at some points I wanted tape shut her mouth. But that her character, and she does get better and stats considering other people and their feelings. The most upsetting part you have a chance to kiss the park seo joon and you keep your mouth shut as if I super glued it together for you.

SFL was a wtf character like she knew what she wanted but at the same time she had no clue what she was missing out on so rip for her. The Support cast was amazing. I loveddddd Ma Hyunyi , Lee JooYoung is forever my girl crush queeennnn. Kyung Soo was also a cute. Cant forget Tony he deserved way better treaTment tbh. My Donghee soo was so cute and I'm so glad that his character Geunsoo didnt turn evil and he pulled through. A lil shout out forJang Geunwon I hated you so much you sexy psycho. He and his dad were a match made in heaven both totally crazy.


Overall except ML my fav thing about Itaewon Class has to be the unreal OSTs . Every single song a bop .
Taehyung's sweet night, imma cry bby sounds so good. Also The Rose's ost top qualtiy stuff. Through and through
Start will forever be an anthem.

Idek if my review if helpful or not. I might have either put you off completely or made you somewhat curious. WATCH IT. It may not be perfect but is a really good one and I would def recommend it as a good binge. Be prepared to fall for Saeroyi .


xoxo
rip my typos.

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I would have given this show a 10 if it wasn't for the romance that skewed the ending. The plot is great and the actors are all amazing to the point where you very clearly see each of their characters' flaws and come to dislike each of them. The main lead (and his father) were the only exceptions for that. The Jangga family had some powerful villainous acting and I looked forward to seeing them every week. The only issue I have is with the romance. This is one of those shows that didn't need romance, but unfortunately shows with 0 romance don't seem to exist anymore (or ever??). Even if the the chemistry between the leads was absolutely necessary, it happened wayy too quickly for anyone's liking. It was almost like PSJ did a complete 180. Now obviously they tried to give parts early on showing that he was warming up to her but I don't think they were not strong enough to warrant such a change in feelings. If the director had gone for the "I need you" thing more than the "I suddenly love you" thing this wouldn't have ended with a slightly sour taste in my mouth. However, the story itself is good enough of a reason to watch this show!

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I don’t usually write reviews but this drama really deserved this attention. Indeed, it’s the best k-drama I’ve seen so far, it’s absolutely not a classical love story, there’s so much behind. The story is excellent as much as the acting crew this is seriously a masterpiece in the K-drama category ! Would totally recommend it and it’s ABSOLUTELY NOT a waste of time.
To be honest if I loved it so much it’s because I felt every second of it, I’ve never been bored once while watching it, every single episode surprised me, there’s always a new event that makes the story more complete and touching. I’ve felt a lot of emotions while watching it and it’s mostly thanks to the amazing actors and not only the main ones !

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A drama with a beautiful message

"You can overcome any of life's difficulties, as long as you are alive"... My favorite quote from this beautiful drama about our human condition.

There are a lot of negative reviews about this drama and based on those negative reviews I was hesitant to watch this drama. Plus the title of the drama "Itaewon class" sounded like a high school drama.

After watching this drama, I gave it a perfect 10, simply because of the message this drama carries and that is to strive for that special way of being that speaks truth, integrity and honor. When one is being this "higher" self, the race , gender, sexuality, and greed don't really matter and is subject to interpretation. This drama addressed all these issues in a nice little story line (somewhat predictable), but very much needed in today's divided world. I applaud the Korean writers and the directors to address this touchy subject and bring forth light into the sometimes a dark world created by us human beings.

SaeRoYi was almost like Ghandi and a line mentioned in one of the episodes. Some other reviewers of this drama have critiqued that there was very little transformation with SaeRoYi . I beg to differ. There was a huge transformation and that was shown through his love life. He was living so much in anger that he was not in touch with his own feelings. From my point of view, it was very fitting that SaeRoYi was attracted to SooAh who had nothing much to offer. Her way of being was shallow and SaeRoYi was way out of her league. The only problem was SaeRoYi had not discovered his self-worth yet... His motivation was "revenge". Because of SaeRoYi darkness, he could not see the true love that was beside him all the time.. our glorious Jo Yi Seo. At one point Jo Yi Seo tells SooAh that "I love him so much that I can put my life on line for him". In other words, we tend to be attracted to that person who matches our own inner vibration.

SaeRoYi transformation began when he saw that he had been following the path Jang Dae Hee had been walking and SaeRoYi 's mind and heart were not aligned. And once his heart came alive there was nothing stopping SaeRoYi. He had realized his self-worth. What I loved about this drama that the realization of self-worth is nothing unless shared with his friends..... This is where I start to cry..... Imagine a world where we honor, love and respect each other without biases and judgement.!!! I also applaud the directors the producers for choosing Kim Da Mi to play the role of Jo Yi Seo. As compared to SooAh, she is not an attractive gal but given her stand and her ability to find a diamond in the rough, makes her an amazing, beautiful woman. Again, a point made by the writers of this drama when SaeRoYi comes into his own, it is a "no wonder" he chose Jo Yi Seo. Here, some other reviewers have critiqued that SaeRoYi realization about Jo Yi Seo was very quick and did not feel real. I personally believe that the whole drama was laying the foundation of their relationship and all was needed a little spark to set the bomb of love to explode for SaeRoYi . So I think it was just right amount of time spent for SaeRoYi to realize his love.. but his love as for himself as well as his friends.

Writers: May be it was not intentional on your part, but to me your message love and beauty to transform a person's heart was very poignant.

In Summary.. If you like self discovery, that idealistic way of being that transforms the society, I highly recommend this drama.

Thank you all those who helped to produce this drama.

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For someone who is a pure romance drama lover, I really loved this show
it thought me a lot of things and so for some very odd reasons it made me hate a few things that people do. Like
in the drama, there is something the main character doesn't like to do and hates when people do it (when you watch it, you would find out what I do not like)
at first, the only reason I watched this was because of the lead male character and because it was under the category of romance dramas which was what I like.
I didn't want to continue watching the drama cause the romance in the show was really small but for some very odd reasons I found myself wanting to watch it more

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A Gripping Saga of Revenge, Resilience, and Redemption

"Itaewon Class" is a compelling Korean drama that weaves a narrative rich in themes of perseverance, justice, and ambition. The series, based on the popular webtoon of the same name, tells the story of Park Sae-ro-yi, played by Park Seo-joon, whose life takes a dramatic turn after a tragic incident involving his father and a powerful conglomerate.

The plot is driven by Sae-ro-yi's quest for revenge and his determination to build a successful business from scratch. Alongside a diverse cast of characters, each with their own backstories and struggles, the show addresses various societal issues, including inequality, discrimination, and the challenges faced by marginalized groups.

One of the standout features of "Itaewon Class" is its character development. Sae-ro-yi is a particularly compelling protagonist, characterized by his unwavering moral compass and resilience. Kim Da-mi delivers a standout performance as Jo Yi-seo, a brilliant and rebellious social media influencer who becomes a pivotal ally in Sae-ro-yi's journey.

The series is also visually appealing, with the vibrant neighborhood of Itaewon serving as a dynamic backdrop. The soundtrack, featuring artists like Gaho and V, complements the emotional depth of the story.

While some plot points may feel predictable, the overall narrative remains engaging and emotionally resonant. "Itaewon Class" effectively balances moments of intense drama with lighter, more heartwarming scenes, creating a well-rounded viewing experience.

"Itaewon Class" is a must-watch for fans of Korean dramas. Its strong performances, compelling story, and social commentary make it a standout series that resonates with a broad audience.

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Itaewon class = trivial storyline, but excellent performances. Often times I am impressed by series and films that make me think deeply and discover things I wouldn't have on my own and I believe this drama is one of them. Itaewon class centers around a man who believed in the importance of ideas and values costing him almost everything. throughout his life, his motto and drive were pushed by hate and the strife of revenge and on that path, he discovered something much more.

The storyline as mentioned earlier is quite trivial, I have watched dramas similar if not 98% followed in suit, but the joint work each character and the expression on the smallest performances were what made Itaewon class a very emotional experience. The depiction of first love and its innocence when lost to hardships of life, and how hard work pays off no matter the period in which the hardships are stretched. Small lessons like that made the impact of the drama heavier

Even with little things like the change of looks of the character but the constant physical appearance of Park Saeroyi over the span of 14years showed how everyone changed in character but little of his ideals and goals changed. These little things details made the drama so much more than it already was. A lot of reviews focus on the aspect of how the main lead was made to look good and how unimportant some roles were.

A protagonist is made to appeal to the hearts of viewers and what you take away is up to your palette, but the supporting characters really taught me a lot especially Kwon Nara and Kim Dong Hee who showed growth in character when faced with hardships and how many people prioritize different things In life. Even the characters that addressed a lot of issues that are faced in South Korea like racism and gender rights were also tackled in this film teaching a lot of people valuable lessons.

Not to mention the lovely soundtrack contributed by various artists and the interludes and instrumentals by composers who have a talent for days. I believe when I listen to the soundtrack of a drama of the basis of the context and internalize it, that piece of work is truly great. shout out to Kim Feel and studio curiosity for blessing my ears every day.

I personally learned a lot from this drama and it made me think about what I would have done if I was in any of their places and not to mention Park Bo Gum's cameo. Itaewon Class makes you reflect and have fun at the same time, watch it you won't regret it!

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DEEP AND MEANINGFUL VIEWING IN MANY WAYS

Please be warned that this review contains spoilers. My focus in this article is primarily to consider the writing of Jo Kwang-jin. He is the author of the webtoon upon which "Itaewon Class" is based. He also wrote the script for the series.

Kwang-jin has done an exceptional job. I am full of admiration for him. The drama is intelligently written and sequenced with flair between main-story, back-story, side-story and parallel-story. A number of his characters are quirky and they enliven the entertainment. All the main characters come from a position of social weakness. For example: a black Korean who continually has to authenticate his nationality, two sons who are emotional casualties of a ruthless and domineering father, an illegitimate child, an orphan, etc.; even the billionaire villain was a starving street-child in his early years.

I was particularly impressed that Ma Hyun-yi, one of Kwang-jin’s characters was transgender and that Kwang-jin allows her to shine brightly in the sun. This is a major moment in Korean dramas given South Korea’s continuing reluctance to celebrate that, just like skin-colour or eye-colour or height (etc.), gender identity is a characteristic with which one is born and that ‘normal’ is a word that covers many possibilities. The events that culminated in Ma Hyun-yi’s coming-out as transgender on national television were riveting viewing, and the script and Lee Joo-young’s acting were superb. Anyone who watches this scene with a humane mindset will be emotionally touched by seeing what unconditional love looks like between genuine friends who sincerely care for one another and who see deeper than a person’s surface.

Park Seo-jun is one of my favourite actors and, in this role, he shows the depth and breadth of his abilities. As the lead actor, Park Seo-jun creates a Park Sae-ro-yi who is an uncomplicated man and who stays true his friends 100% of the time -- he never blames nor criticises them. This seems like a simple acting task on the face of it but as one follows Park Seo-jun from episode to episode, it is easy to appreciate that in acting Sae-ro-yi, Park Seo-jun has to dig deep. Sae-ro-yi wholeheartedly trusts those around him and he leads the cast when it comes to demonstrating unconditional love. Sae-ro-yi also never hesitates to accept responsibility however heavy that burden will be. Kwang-jin’s life-philosophies that are delivered to the audience via Sae-ro-yi are truly a gift to the world. In Park Sae-ro-yi, Kwang has created a template for what constitutes an immensely decent human being. It would be a wonderful world -- a really wonderful world, in fact -- if there were more people like Sae-ro-yi around.

In addition: the makeup is first class (watch how Jang Dae-hee ages and becomes increasingly ill); the soundtrack is exceptional and deserves special recognition; all actors create believable and authentic characters; the direction and the production are magnificent. I must also make mention of Ahn Bo-hyun’s acting. His performance as Jang Geun-won is incredible. I have never felt so sorry for the bad guy as I did for Geun-won. It is to Jo Kwang-jin’s writing-credit and Ahn’s acting that Geun-won comes to life as such a deeply flawed character with whom the audience can feel angry, sad and sorry. I never stopped hoping that he would see the error of his ways and change.

There is no doubt in my mind at all that any viewer who watches this show will we richly rewarded if they look beyond simple entertainment and straightforward romance. This is a memorable and outstanding drama. I anticipate that many awards will wander its way. I don't normally re-watch shows but I might make an exception for this one.

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