Itaewon Class is a 2020 South Korean television series starring Park Seo-Joon, Kim Da-mi, and Kown Nara. The series is based on the webtoon of the same name written by Kwang Jin. Itaewon Class is a a story about young people in their 20s overcoming prejudice and discrimination against them, and finding success on their own terms. 

Summary of the plot

The series follows the life of Park Saeoriy whose life is turned upside down due to the members of a chaebol family. Following his father’s death, Park Saeoriy ends up imprisoned, a time during which he works to better himself and starts coming up with a plan on how to avenge his father. The k-drama follows his journey from the bottom to the top as he opens up his own restaurant in Itaewon, which quickly becomes a hot spot for the young.

As he begins to find success, he also starts to attract the attention of some of the most powerful people in South Korea. However, Park Saeoriy is not content with just being a successful businessman; he also wants to take down those who have wronged him in the past.

The Itaewon Class k-drama is a story of revenge, friendship, and love. Park Saeoriy’s journey is one that will resonate with many young people who have felt like they are up against the world.

The Characters

• Park Saeroiy (played by Park Seo-Joon) – is the main protagonist of the story. He is a high school student who is expelled from his school after punching a bully. This event changes the course of his life and leads him on a path of revenge. However, through his interactions with the people in Itaewon, he slowly starts to heal and build a new life for himself.
• Jo Yi Seo (played by Kim Da-mi) – is one of the main female leads. She is a high school student who befriends Park Saeroiy. She is a bright and optimistic person who believes in second chances.
• Oh Soo-ah (played by Kown Nara) – is another one of the main female leads. She is an orphan girl that grew up at an orphanage where Saeroiy’s father volunteered his time. She starts to befriend Saeroiy and even begins developing feelings for him, however, her need and desire to find herself a place in this world leads her down a path that Saeroiy cannot follow
• Jang Geun-won (played by Ahn Bo-hyun) – is the main antagonist of the story. He is from a wealthy family and is used to getting whatever he wants. When he meets Park Saeroiy, he sees him as an obstacle in his path and does everything in his power to bring him down.

Comments on Itaewon Class 

This show does a really great job of depicting real-life issues such as classism, ablism, homophobia, and racism in Korea. The characters are all well-developed and likable. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between the two lead characters, played by Park Seo-Joon and Kim Da-mi. They have great chemistry together and their scenes were very sweet and heartwarming. 

Itaewon Class is a show that perfectly captures the zeitgeist of our times. The main character, Park Saeroyi, is an unlikely hero who doesn’t fit into any one box. He’s a high school dropout, an ex-convict, and an orphan. But he’s also incredibly driven, passionate, and resourceful. These qualities are what help him succeed in opening up his own bar, in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul. 

The show does an excellent job of depicting the struggles and challenges that young entrepreneurs face in today’s society. Park Sae-ro-yi has to deal with obstacles such as ruthless competition, hostile takeover attempts, and malicious rumors. However, he continues to persevere against all odds and fight for what he believes in. 

The show also features a diverse cast of characters, which helps to create a more realistic and relatable experience for viewers. In addition to Park Sae-ro-yi, we have Jo Yi Seo (played by Kim Da-mi), Ma Hyeon Yi (played by Lee Joo Young), Kim Toni (played by Chris Lyon) and many more. Each character brings their own unique perspective and background to the table, which helps to create a well-rounded and nuanced view of the world that the show takes place in. 

Another thing I would like to mention is that this is Park Seo Joon’s best performance to date. He is not a bad actor, really is not, but his performance in Itaewon Class is on another level. He completely disappears into his role and becomes Park Saeroyi. You forget that he is an actor playing a character and start to believe that he is the character. It is truly amazing to watch.

Overall, I would highly recommend Itaewon Class to anyone looking for a touching, funny, and realistic portrayal of young adults in Korea today. The series tackles important issues in a way that is both entertaining and educational, and it is definitely worth watching!

Have you watched Itaewon Class? What did you think of this drama?