Few Korean dramas have managed to inspire audiences worldwide the way Itaewon Class did. More than just a revenge story, this series became a symbol of resilience, ambition, individuality, and standing firm against injustice. With unforgettable performances, emotionally charged storytelling, and one of the most motivating soundtracks in K-drama history, Itaewon Class carved its place as a modern classic.
This in-depth review explores everything that makes the drama special—from Park Sae-ro-yi’s incredible journey and the unforgettable DanBam crew to the themes of discrimination, loyalty, entrepreneurship, and redemption. We’ll also look at the flaws, controversial romance, iconic soundtrack, and why the show continues to resonate years after its release.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Drama Name | Itaewon Class |
| Genre | Revenge, Drama, Business, Romance |
| Episodes | 16 |
| Main Cast | Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi, Yoo Jae-myung, Kwon Nara |
| Setting | Itaewon, Seoul |
| Core Themes | Revenge, Entrepreneurship, Social Acceptance, Loyalty |
| Standout Element | Park Sae-ro-yi’s determination |
| Best OST | “Start Over” by Gaho |
| Emotional Tone | Motivating, Emotional, Intense |
| Recommended For | Fans of underdog stories and character-driven dramas |
| Overall Rating | 4.5 / 5 |
Why Itaewon Class Became a Global Phenomenon
Some K-dramas entertain you for a few weeks and then fade from memory. Others stay with you long after the credits roll. Itaewon Class belongs firmly in the second category.
When the drama first aired, it immediately stood out from the polished romantic fantasies dominating Korean television. Instead of focusing on chaebol heirs falling in love with ordinary girls, the story followed a stubborn young man who lost nearly everything and still refused to compromise his principles.
That core idea connected deeply with viewers around the world.
At its heart, Itaewon Class is about fighting back against systems designed to crush ordinary people. Whether it’s corruption, social discrimination, class inequality, racism, or personal failure, the drama constantly asks one important question:
What happens when someone refuses to give up?
The answer is what makes the series unforgettable.
The Story That Hooks You Instantly
The opening episodes waste absolutely no time.
Park Sae-ro-yi is introduced as an ordinary high school student with an unusually strong moral compass. He believes in fairness, honesty, and standing up for what’s right—even when doing so comes with consequences.
That belief changes his life forever.
After standing up against bullying committed by the son of a powerful food company chairman, Sae-ro-yi becomes the target of a ruthless system that protects wealth and influence over justice.
Within a short period, he loses almost everything:
His future
His father
His freedom
His sense of normalcy
Many revenge dramas use tragedy as a simple plot device, but Itaewon Class makes you truly feel Sae-ro-yi’s pain. His suffering doesn’t disappear after one emotional episode. It shapes every decision he makes for years.
Instead of seeking revenge through violence, Sae-ro-yi chooses something much harder.
He decides to defeat the powerful Jangga Group through success.
That single decision transforms the series from a typical revenge drama into a deeply inspiring entrepreneurial journey.
Park Sae-ro-yi – One of K-Drama’s Most Inspiring Characters
The Power of Conviction
What makes Park Sae-ro-yi so compelling is that he doesn’t behave like a traditional dramatic hero.
He’s not flashy.
He’s not manipulative.
He’s not exceptionally charismatic in the usual sense.
In fact, there are moments where he seems socially awkward, emotionally distant, and frustratingly stubborn.
But that stubbornness is exactly what defines him.
While other characters constantly adapt themselves to survive, Sae-ro-yi refuses to betray his beliefs. Even when it costs him opportunities, relationships, and success, he remains unwavering.
That consistency makes him incredibly admirable.
Viewers aren’t inspired by him because he’s perfect.
They’re inspired because he keeps moving forward despite overwhelming odds.
Park Seo-joon’s Career-Defining Performance
Park Seo-joon delivers one of the strongest performances of his career in this drama.
The role requires emotional restraint rather than dramatic outbursts. Sae-ro-yi rarely expresses himself openly, meaning Park Seo-joon has to communicate emotions through silence, facial expressions, posture, and subtle dialogue delivery.
He absolutely nails it.
Whether he’s quietly enduring humiliation or standing firm against powerful enemies, every scene feels believable.
And yes—the famous chestnut haircut somehow became iconic.
What initially looked strange eventually became inseparable from the character himself.
DanBam – The Real Soul of the Drama
While revenge drives the plot, the heart of Itaewon Class lives inside DanBam, the small pub Sae-ro-yi builds with his team.
DanBam isn’t just a business.
It represents:
Second chances
Belonging
Acceptance
Growth
Family
Each employee carries emotional scars and personal struggles, making the group feel authentic rather than artificially quirky.
Watching these broken individuals slowly become a family is one of the most satisfying aspects of the series.
Jo Yi-seo – The Chaotic Genius
Kim Da-mi plays Jo Yi-seo with electrifying energy.
Yi-seo is one of the most unconventional female leads in modern K-drama history.
She’s brilliant, arrogant, emotionally unpredictable, manipulative, and fiercely loyal. In another story, she could easily become the antagonist. Here, she becomes the engine that helps DanBam survive.
Her social media intelligence and marketing strategies modernize the business and help Sae-ro-yi compete against corporations far larger than his small pub.
But beyond her intelligence, Yi-seo’s emotional journey is fascinating.
At first, she sees life almost like a game. Human emotions don’t interest her much. Yet through Sae-ro-yi and DanBam, she slowly learns empathy, vulnerability, and genuine love.
Their dynamic works because they complement each other perfectly:
Sae-ro-yi represents morality and stability
Yi-seo represents adaptability and ambition
Together, they become nearly unstoppable.
Ma Hyeon-yi’s Emotional Storyline
One of the most powerful aspects of Itaewon Class is its willingness to address topics rarely explored in mainstream Korean television.
Ma Hyeon-yi’s storyline is a major example.
As a transgender chef struggling with identity and acceptance, Hyeon-yi faces prejudice both professionally and personally.
The drama handles this arc with surprising sensitivity and emotional depth.
Instead of reducing the character to a stereotype, the show allows Hyeon-yi to exist as a fully realized human being with dreams, fears, insecurities, and talents.
One cooking competition scene in particular became one of the most emotional moments in the entire series.
It’s not just about cooking.
It’s about dignity.
Recognition.
Self-worth.
That emotional honesty is what elevates Itaewon Class beyond a standard revenge drama.
Kim To-ni and Conversations About Racism
Another notable aspect of the show is Kim To-ni’s storyline.
As a Guinean-Korean character, To-ni experiences discrimination despite speaking Korean fluently and being culturally Korean.
His story highlights an uncomfortable reality:
people are often judged by appearance before identity.
The drama doesn’t pretend to solve racism overnight, but it deserves credit for addressing the issue openly in a mainstream series.
At times, the handling feels simplified, but the inclusion itself was meaningful and important.
Choi Seung-kwon – Redemption Done Right
Choi Seung-kwon’s journey from gangster to hardworking employee is another standout subplot.
His transformation feels realistic because the drama doesn’t magically erase his past mistakes.
Instead, it shows how difficult rebuilding a life can be.
Employment, trust, self-respect, and relationships all take time to repair.
His loyalty to Sae-ro-yi becomes one of the emotional pillars of DanBam.
Chairman Jang Dae-hee – A Villain You Love to Hate
Yoo Jae-myung delivers an extraordinary performance as Chairman Jang Dae-hee.
He isn’t a cartoon villain screaming threats every episode.
He’s calm.
Intelligent.
Patient.
Cold.
That makes him terrifying.
Chairman Jang represents systemic power at its ugliest:
Corruption
Pride
Abuse of authority
Corporate manipulation
What makes the conflict compelling is that both he and Sae-ro-yi are stubborn men driven by conviction.
The difference is moral direction.
Jang believes power defines justice.
Sae-ro-yi believes principles define justice.
Their clash becomes ideological rather than purely personal.
The Business Warfare Is Surprisingly Addictive
Many viewers expected romance or revenge.
Few expected the business side to be this engaging.
Watching DanBam slowly grow from a struggling pub into a legitimate competitor against Jangga Group becomes deeply satisfying.
The drama explores:
Branding
Social media marketing
Customer loyalty
Restaurant management
Corporate politics
Investment strategies
Even viewers unfamiliar with business concepts become emotionally invested because the stakes feel personal.
Every small success feels earned.
When DanBam gains customers, expands locations, or receives recognition, it feels like watching close friends succeed.
The Importance of Itaewon as a Setting
Seoul serves as more than just a backdrop.
Specifically, the district of Itaewon symbolizes diversity, freedom, and individuality.
Unlike more conservative parts of Korean society, Itaewon is portrayed as a place where outsiders can exist more freely.
That symbolism perfectly matches the characters:
Misfits
Outsiders
Dreamers
People rejected elsewhere
The environment gives the drama a vibrant, youthful energy rarely seen in revenge stories.
Neon streets, nightlife culture, multicultural communities, and entrepreneurial spirit all contribute to the show’s identity.
The Soundtrack That Motivated an Entire Generation
You cannot discuss Itaewon Class without mentioning its soundtrack.
The OST became legendary for a reason.
“Start Over” by Gaho
Gaho created what is arguably one of the greatest motivational K-drama songs ever made.
The moment this song starts playing, the emotional energy instantly rises.
It perfectly captures the themes of:
Persistence
Reinvention
Hope
Fighting back
Many viewers admitted they listened to the song while studying, working out, building businesses, or overcoming difficult periods in life.
That emotional connection gave the series enormous staying power.
Why the Drama Feels So Motivational
Unlike many revenge stories that focus purely on destruction, Itaewon Class focuses on building something meaningful.
Sae-ro-yi’s revenge isn’t simply about ruining Jangga Group.
It’s about proving that ethical success is possible.
That distinction changes the emotional tone completely.
Instead of becoming bitter, the story constantly pushes toward growth and self-improvement.
The drama repeatedly emphasizes:
Patience
Discipline
Long-term thinking
Self-respect
Loyalty
Those themes resonate strongly with viewers trying to improve their own lives.
The Romance – The Most Divisive Part of the Show
The love triangle remains one of the most debated aspects of Itaewon Class.
Oh Soo-ah vs Jo Yi-seo
Kwon Nara plays Oh Soo-ah, Sae-ro-yi’s first love.
Soo-ah represents familiarity, history, and emotional comfort.
Yi-seo represents growth, challenge, and the future.
Fans remain divided because both relationships have emotional logic behind them.
Some viewers felt Sae-ro-yi’s attachment to Soo-ah lasted too long.
Others believed Yi-seo’s romantic victory felt rushed.
The debate continues years later because the characters feel emotionally real rather than artificially written.
Why Some Viewers Struggled With the Ending
While the drama remains highly praised overall, many fans agree the final episodes lose some of the earlier magic.
The Shift in Tone
Initially, the series feels grounded and strategic.
Later episodes become more melodramatic.
Suddenly the story introduces:
Kidnappings
Thriller-style confrontations
Hospital scenes
Rapid emotional resolutions
The grounded business warfare that made the show unique takes a backseat.
This tonal shift disappointed some viewers who preferred the earlier realism.
The Time Skip Problem
The major time jump also divided audiences.
Time skips can work well when emotional development feels natural, but here some relationships and character changes happen too quickly.
Several emotional payoffs feel compressed.
The drama still lands its major emotional beats, but the pacing becomes less smooth near the end.
Despite the Flaws, the Emotional Impact Remains Powerful
Even critics of the ending usually agree on one thing:
the emotional core still works.
That’s because the audience becomes deeply attached to the characters.
When viewers genuinely care about a cast, even imperfect storytelling can remain emotionally satisfying.
And Itaewon Class absolutely succeeds in making viewers care.
Themes That Made the Drama Universally Relatable
1. Standing Up Against Injustice
Everyone has experienced unfairness at some point.
Watching Sae-ro-yi refuse to surrender feels empowering because many people wish they had that same courage in real life.
2. Building Something From Nothing
Entrepreneurs especially connected with the series.
The struggle of building a business:
Financial stress
Competition
Fear of failure
Team management
Long-term sacrifice
All feel authentic enough to resonate emotionally.
3. Finding Your People
DanBam reminds viewers that family isn’t always biological.
Sometimes the people who truly support you are the ones you meet while rebuilding your life.
4. Accepting Differences
The series consistently challenges social prejudice.
It argues that talent, loyalty, and humanity matter more than labels or appearances.
Why Younger Audiences Connected So Deeply
Younger viewers especially embraced the drama because it reflects modern frustrations.
Many young adults today feel trapped by:
Economic pressure
Social expectations
Corporate systems
Competition
Uncertainty about the future
Sae-ro-yi’s refusal to compromise became symbolic.
He represented the fantasy of staying true to yourself in a world constantly demanding conformity.
Cinematography and Visual Style
Visually, Itaewon Class balances realism with stylized energy.
The nighttime scenes in Itaewon feel vibrant and alive without becoming overly glamorous.
The camera work often emphasizes emotional isolation:
Characters sitting alone
Silent stares
Empty streets
Quiet emotional pauses
At the same time, celebration scenes inside DanBam feel warm and intimate.
This contrast helps the emotional highs hit even harder.
Character Growth That Feels Earned
One reason the drama works so well is that character development takes time.
Nobody transforms overnight.
Yi-seo slowly learns empathy.
Seung-kwon slowly rebuilds dignity.
Hyeon-yi slowly gains confidence.
Sae-ro-yi slowly opens emotionally.
That gradual evolution makes the characters believable.
The Drama’s Lasting Influence on K-Drama Culture
Few modern dramas have influenced K-drama culture as strongly as Itaewon Class.
After its release:
Underdog business dramas became more popular
Diverse casting conversations increased
The OST dominated playlists
Park Seo-joon’s popularity skyrocketed internationally
The series became a gateway drama for many new K-drama fans
Its influence extended far beyond Korea.
Who Should Watch Itaewon Class?
This drama is perfect for viewers who enjoy:
Slow-burn revenge stories
Entrepreneurial journeys
Character-driven storytelling
Motivational narratives
Emotional team dynamics
Social commentary
Strong underdog protagonists
However, viewers expecting nonstop romance may find parts of the series slower than anticipated.
The drama prioritizes ambition and personal growth over romantic fantasy.
Similar K-Dramas You May Enjoy
If you loved Itaewon Class, you might also enjoy:
Vincenzo – Stylish revenge with dark humor
Start-Up – Entrepreneurship and youthful ambition
My Mister – Emotional healing and realism
Reborn Rich – Corporate revenge and power struggles
Fight for My Way – Another inspiring Park Seo-joon drama
Misaeng – Workplace survival and realism
Final Verdict – Why Itaewon Class Still Matters
Itaewon Class succeeds because it offers more than entertainment.
It inspires.
The drama reminds viewers that success doesn’t happen instantly. It requires patience, resilience, loyalty, and the courage to continue even when life feels unfair.
Yes, the ending becomes messy.
Yes, the romance may frustrate some viewers.
And yes, certain plot twists lean too heavily into melodrama.
But none of those flaws erase the emotional power of the journey.
At its best, Itaewon Class feels like a story about ordinary people refusing to stay defeated.
That message remains timeless.
For many viewers, watching Park Sae-ro-yi slowly build DanBam from the ground up wasn’t just entertaining—it was motivating.
And that’s why the drama continues to resonate years later.
FAQs
1. Is Itaewon Class worth watching?
Absolutely. It’s one of the most inspiring and emotionally satisfying K-dramas in recent years.
2. Who is the main lead in Itaewon Class?
The drama stars Park Seo-joon as Park Sae-ro-yi.
3. Is Itaewon Class based on a webtoon?
Yes, the drama is adapted from a popular Korean webtoon of the same name.
4. What is the best OST from Itaewon Class?
Most fans consider “Start Over” by Gaho the most iconic track.
5. Does Itaewon Class have romance?
Yes, but the drama focuses more on revenge, business growth, and personal ambition than romance alone.
Disclaimer / BNR OK
This video is made for review, commentary, and entertainment purposes only. All rights to Itaewon Class belong to their respective owners, including JTBC and Netflix. Some clips/images may be used under Fair Use for criticism, commentary, and education. No copyright infringement intended. Please support the official release on Netflix.
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