Weak Hero (2022)

Okay, maybe season 2 might top it off?

I recently watched weak hero class 1 and I have to say, it had so much potential. The acting and emotions portrayed in this drama were exceptional, and every character was well-developed and easy to love. The show had a great concept, and it was executed brilliantly. However, I was left disappointed with the ending. Despite this, I'm hoping for a season 2 as I can't wait to see what happens next. The show's ability to capture the raw emotions of each character is truly remarkable..The drama was a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of laughter and tears. Overall, this show is a promising drama that leaves you wanting more. If you're looking for a drama that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between, this drama might be for you.

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Exhilarating (binged in 6 HRS) but Doesn't Justify the hype/high rating (9)

Debated long before starting this, cause high rated K-dramas in actual had not done it for me, recently. Took a chance, binged it with a few episodes in 1.5x speed & wrapped up in under 6 hours. Have not seen the webtoon, so my review is basis the drama only. Given the high rating this drama has, mine would come across unpopular but this is my humble take on it.

10/10 for the acting, but 7/10 for the story/writing.

If the message of the drama was on taking action than talking like mature people; giving in to pure unadulterated rage because you have been a victim too long, then it did not appeal to me. I cannot imagine what are they going to portray in Season 2 differently, other than more rage-fights in a different setting. This season in itself is complete though not satisfactory, with half-hearted character developments & relationships. Honestly, I found the first half to be better, which is what kept me engaged to finish it. But the latter half of the show for me just lost the point or rather could not make a definite point. While the action scenes were good they could not carry the weight of the drama which ultimately made it lose the initial charm & excitement.

We have seen bullying in shows, anime, manga in varying degrees. This drama interprets/portrays it well in terms of:
1. how bullies are (how they get into it sometimes due to situation but in the end by their own choice)
2. how the main characters stand up to it, while forming a bond themselves
3. what are the external factors that affects this evil of our society (role of adults and their interference)
4. Overall the impact of all the above on the lives of the main characters and those around them, which is a message to real society.

Si-Eun is not shown as a conventional hero - while he is gutsy, uses his wits to fight battles but does not always come on the top on his own but has help. The help comes in form of the deuteragonists/his friends, support characters, situations etc. which keeps the story/character (almost) realistic. Expecting the story to continue on this track, with Si-Eun grows individually, enjoying new friendships, courage to stand up to the bullies & the associated evils (gang, unethical adults). Si-Eun, Su-ho & Beom-Seok while had different personalities, family issues etc. I thought the focus would be on their growing bond/bromance even if they face ups & downs, growing into mature adults. I was surprised, but ready to understand when the story takes a different turn (the rift in friendship). But my problem lies with the fact that the writers/directors did not execute this unexpected turn well as below:

1. They did not explain the rift well, cause they did not explore the grey character well.
- We have bits and pieces of their backstory, minimal depiction of their internal debate & anguish.
- It is like the character woke up one day and chose to be evil. The transition & its explanation is missing, which is the fault of writers/directors.
- Neither do other characters make efforts to understand them, but rather take it on face value. So we cannot even understand the gray character from their perspective.

2. Si-Eun being filled with pure, unadulterated rage as he pulverizes everyone in sight. Like why? And why all the time?
- Being the ML, he takes things into own hands to mitigate the above said rift.
- But the focus shifts from communication to just violence/pure rage.
- Si-Eun is essentially a character who uses brains more than brawns.
- Seeing him throughout the drama, especially second half - I am wondering if the focus of the whole story only on taking action & not being calm/practical/ mature about situations?

3. The whole character of Su-ho and Beom-Seok was just messed up in 2nd Half.
- Add in Lee Yeon's character's influence in all of it, it makes it even worse.

The second half lacks proper explanation, characters' choices are more confusing than making me fully sympathize/hate any character. It's like just because they realized that they can fight, so they end up fighting all the time for every situation. Like what happened to calmly talking or discussing, especially given these characters are not inherently prone to action.

Personally, I would say it is a good drama with some great acting, so definitely a one-time watch.
But it is not a great drama that I would recommend (i.e. pester you until you watch it) or be memorable for me.

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Led astray by good reviews

I wish there was a more official/critical Korean review website, as MDL has led me to another bad show with their strangely high ratings. I’m dropping the show at 4 episodes, because of many reasons:
1. Lack of plot - a lot (seriously a lot) of time is dedicated to action sequences, which aren’t bad but it leaves very little time in the episode for character/plot development
2. Inconsistency of plot - I understand that it is fictional, but a little too unrelatable for them to be having fights out on the street, gangs running around, knives everywhere, and no police presence at all. Even when the police does show up they simply hang back until the very last moment. It seems very inspired by some 70s action flick and I’m not sure how that is still being popularized in 2023, set in a country that is actually full of cameras and police on patrol. Also, the lack of the perpetrators wealth makes little sense in a very hierarchical society where the poor rarely act so openly.
3. Plot holes - One example is the fentanyl issue which was shown to be a big deal, but then simply disappeared from the story without any legal recourse over the next episode
4. Pacing - The show gives the illusion of being fast paced due to all the fights, but the actual story has a painfully slow pace and I’m failing to see any background/ character info (for none of the main guys) even going into the 5th episode.
*The only positive are all the ML’s and their acting skills.
I came here after Season 1 of The Glory which is based off of true events, in search for a similar high school bullying/revenge drama but this has been a strange experience reminiscent of the old action movies I’ve never been interested in. Overall, watch this show for entertainment but not for a deep or profound social commentary because Weak Hero Class 1 doesn’t have any substance to
it.

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Overrated and Disappointing

LIKES:
FX:
decent amount of realism to scratches and wounds.
CAST:
well chosen, great acting from ML Park Ji Hoon and Choi Hyun Wook. Liked Shin Seung Ho in this role, as Seok-Dae.
Cinematography, locations and sets were well done.
Female presence not really doing much in terms of romance, but provided some addition to storyline.
DIRECTOR:
some of the fight scenes were okay, but could’ve had better choreography.
MUSIC:
was appropriate for the scenes and theme song not overly played.

DISLIKES:
FX:
bruised and damaged knuckles from punching was overlooked. CGI/green screen used during car driving scenes was very bad, so noticeable.
WRITING:
Adult abuse never had consequences; the father got away with everything & nothing got concluded about it. They should’ve just left it out, because it was over the top violent.
No character growth for anyone, except maybe the one “bad guy” played by actor Shin Seung Ho .
Conclusion felt rushed and incomplete, almost like there were more episodes needed.
They could’ve left out the female friend part, because she had little under developed reason to stay with the main leads. Similarly the writer didn’t conclude the fentanyl issue.
Typical tropes and cliches used, which made it a bit boring and overly predictable.
No explanation why Beom-Seok did what he did and that is totally lazy writing.
The main character Shi-Eun in the end didn’t use his brain as his character was described or made to use in beginning, it was more brainless braun. It felt like the writer didn’t know how to create the ending with that foundation still intact.
The important characters, main leads, Soo-ho & Shi-Eun had no backstory, which could’ve been done with short flashbacks, while too much of it was given for Beom-Seok.
The reason for the three friends to spit up was badly executed.
Too much violence used for the abuse inflicted by the father (the kid would’ve been hospitalized, instead of showing up to school the next day).
PRODUCTION:
shaky camera syndrome and the fight scenes had too many camera angles and zoom in parts. No truly good fight scenes, like in TONG: Memories (2016), which had a similar concept. Pacing issues for everything other than the fights.


OVERALL:
This was VERY overrated. The good acting and music, couldn’t save it from bad writing and execution.
Recommend TONG: Memories or Bokutachi ga Yarimashita (Fugitive Boys/We Did It) or Age of Rebellion (2018), instead of watching this mess. No fight scenes were so good I would rewatch it. I don’t recommend this show, but might read the manga to see if it’s better. If they do come out with a second season, depending on the cast, I check it out, but with VERY low expectations.

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A let down for the Weak Hero Manhwa fans

This is coming from someone who is reading and REALLY enjoys the manhwa.

This show was just disappointing. When I heard of this adaptation I was really excited for it and it really did deliver with the acting, music and fight choreography. However, the main thing that makes or breaks everything is the story and it was completely changed from the manhwa. I can understand not wanting to copy directly from the comic but then why use the name of the comic in the first place? Most of the episodes felt like filler and the characters were not in character.

If you have not read the Manhwa and enjoyed this tv show then I definitely do recommend checking it out. I was immensely disappointed coming to this from the Manhwa.

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Heartrenching, enraging masterpiece

Tbh I’m a fan of the manhwa that happens to also watch kdramas etc, and let me tell you this was 100% it for both.
Plot wise it doesn’t cover the story of the manhwa but tells the story before the beginning of it. Bits and pieces of the drama have appeared in the manhwa in flashbacks and such but not, well, not THIS.
They took a story about a teen who facing tough times and his own genius, ends up making actual friends ready to stand by his side through everything and making the best casting choices I’ve seen to date brought it to life.
Every single actor have their moments and they all make you actually connect. The scenario is built in a way that kills your insides at the end but also makes you understand the manhwa in such a different light. Every reader have their own suspicions when reading but actually coming face to face with such a story and that, done through such acting, directing, everything is perfection.
Idk what else to say, honestly I’ve seen this one too many times.

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Emotionally grappling

The intricate relationships between the characters, the raw emotions portrayed, and the intense conflicts they face make the story captivating and thought-provoking. The way the characters navigate through their challenges, support each other through thick and thin, and ultimately find strength in their unity is truly inspiring. The story delves deep into the complexities of human nature, the power of friendship, and the resilience needed to overcome life's obstacles. It is a rollercoaster of emotions that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating what will happen next.

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Park jihoon acting is the most AMAZING thing i ever saw!

I watched it 3 times. I am waiting for 2nd season!!
All the actors did amazing job! it's a must-have ;)

the story is a about quiet but very smart high school student (sieun)
and the boy who is always sleeping at school and works after classes, he is very good at sports and he is training in MMA (suho). then in the first episode, those two started to become friends. it’s really cute and sweet how they protect each other all the time. then we have beon-Seok, who transferred from another school for rich people because of bullying, in this school, there are also some bullies whose as an aim took Sieun, but he gives with suho good punishment too tho so bullies. those 3 guys become friends that get in trouble together and try to survive together. than there is a girl that helped them and become new part of the group. Beom-Seok was verrrry jelouse and he felt lonely. so he become friends with bullies from school and not only. he want to be a bad guy and get revenge on his friends. suho is mad at him but sieun was Kind of sad and he hopped he will come back. and don’t want to spoil the ending. but there is a lot of fighting scenes and one of the person will end up in coma. they won’t be friends like that used to be. and one of them ends painfully the drama with sweet revenge, his suffering and transferring to another school.

it’s ver worth watching it’s my fav drama!!??

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Quiet Achiever

Loved this series. This was unexpected as I stumbled across it on YT. It's also on Viki.
All the cast played their part well. The action flowed; the dynamic between each person was showcased well with the bad guys being just as much intricate as the good guys. The overall plot wasn't complicated. I love high school series and the ML was excellent in that his characteristics were basically robotic, emotionless pretty much, but you still got to see what was ticking on inside his head. You see the changes in his personality as he starts to develop empathy towards the people now closest to him. A bromance of sorts which I love this dynamic.
I'm anticipating S2 to be out (hopefully) this year.

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I rec 100%??

if u watched this drama and u wanna know the ending without waiting for season 2(i acc gave up for s2) u should read the webtoon!! since it's based of it and the webtoon starts from the ending of the kdrama since the whole thing is a back story for the mc, literally the best kdrama ever I enjoyed every detail abt it the story,the character,the astathic everything tbh the only bad part here is the ending which I don't wanna call it an end since there's s2 but I rlly hated how they ended the series on an edge AND the are making us wait for what 4 years?? like dude the series are already popular why are u taking so long oml??

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Méfiez vous de l'eau qui dort....

Après "The glory", je n'avais pas envie de replonger dans un univers fait de violence et revanche. Et pourtant me voilà, ici, après avoir vu les 8 épisodes de "Weak Hero Class 1" à vitesse grand V. Si "The glory" a engendré une certaine gêne niveau moralité, j'avais peur d'avoir à subir la même chose. J'évite les dramas où la violence règne et où les victimes doivent péniblement survivre, faisant face à la pire des cruautés. Le quotidien est assez angoissant et pesant, inutile, selon moi, d'en rajouter une couche. C'est donc avec une certaine appréhension que je lance le premier épisode, accompagnée de l'Ado de 16 ans et de Chéri. Résultat, nous avons adoré.

Un sujet que l'on retrouve bien souvent chez les coréens, le harcèlement scolaire. Mais ici, au lieu de la victime ou du super bad ass classique, nous avons un profil atypique. Et c'est ce qui fera la différence dans ce drama. Shi Eun se démarque dès les premières secondes du drama. Un regard indifférent, une dégaine de gamin un peu joufflu et une posture d'étudiant/geek, c'est ce qui en ressort au premier abord. Et. Là, la magie s'opère. Shi Eun impressionne par sa répartie, un mix d'arrogance et de tranquillité indifférent. Imperturbable jusqu'au « je m'en foutisme » le plus total, ce personnage ne laisse jamais transparaitre ses émotions, que cela soit la peur, l'angoisse ou la colère. Sauf à la fin. C'est ce calme olympien et ses répliques nonchalantes qui pertubent, non seulement son opposant, mais nous aussi. Et lorsqu’enfin, il passe à l'action, plus d'une fois nous nous exclamerons de surprise "Whoa" ou "Oh My Gosh!" .
Mais c'est avant tout, une histoire d'amitié. Shi Eun apparait comme un élève qui porte un regard indifférent à ce qui l'entoure. Sa rencontre avec Soo Ho et Beom Seok va changer ce regard. D’indifférent, il deviendra plus investit dans ses relations, apportant ainsi une importance capitale à la loyauté de ses amis. La violence des images est donc fortement adoucit par cette amitié adorable, fraîche et bourrée d’humour. C’est donc d’autant plus difficile pour nous d’encaisser la suite des événements. En effets, l’escalade de la violence est progressive mais aussi plus violente. Et si cautionner les actes de Shi Eun ou de Soo Ho appartiendra à chacun, j’avoue avoir trouvé jouissif le dernier épisode avec la réaction en chaine de Shi Eun. Une seule chose me venait en tête « bien fait pour vous! ». Soo Ho, quant à lui, il est bien sur le bad ass du groupe. Mais quel bad ass. Emouvant, drôle et attachant, il a le profil du super pote qu'on aimerait tous avoir. Je ne dirais rien sur Beom Seok. je risquerais d'être méchante....

Les relations sont très bien construites, autour d’une amitié improbable et qui pourtant se révélera bien plus forte que ce que l’on en pense. Juste quelques épisodes, et c’est un peu « ami pour la vie ».

C’est donc un drama violent mais qui se regarde d’une traite (contrairement à « The Glory » où l’ambiance malsaine nous permettait de regarder qu’un épisode par jour) et dont l’adrénaline des scènes a le mérite de nous scotcher jusqu’à la fin. La réalisation des-dites scènes sont bien filmés, les angles sont dynamiques et nous permettent de nous faire vivre tout cela d’une manière réaliste.
Les petites touches d’humour, la psychologie saine de nos deux chouchous permettent aussi de savourer ce drama sans tomber dans la dépression.

une saison 2, on y croit!

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