Romance, comedy, betrayal, stereotypes, and even murder are all incorporated into the plot of one of 2020’s biggest hit K-Dramas, “Itaewon Class.” This drama is a multi-dimensional story that showcases many different elements and tugs at several different emotions throughout the 16 episodes. This program’s dramatic yet light-hearted storyline is guaranteed to leave you at the edge of your seat, or couch for that matter. It’s a refreshing twist to the typical K-drama and the perfect blend of a feel-good storyline with darker elements such as threats, revenge and death.
“Itaewon Class” centers around the revenge plot between Park Saeroyi (played by Park Seo Joon) and the Jang family. This rivalry starts when Saeroyi stands up against the notorious school bully and eldest son of a corporate giant, Jang Geun Won. After the altercation between the two gets physical, Geun Won’s father insists that Saeroyi get on his knees and apologize. Even with his education and his father’s career on the line, Saeroyi stands up for what he believes in and he refuses to bow.
These events from the first episode lay the groundwork for the struggle of Saeroyi as a man of character, hardworking, honest, and tenacious. His personality makes him a target as Chairman Jang Dae Hee and his son Geun Won continue trying to get Saeroyi to cave in and bow to them throughout the series. Their selfish actions lead to Saeroyi to losing his temper once which lands him in prison. But this doesn’t stop his determination or change his character. To some, going to prison would signify the end of their lives, but to Saeroyi it is just the beginning. Once Saeroyi is released, he decides to dedicate his time and energy to dethroning the famous Jangga Co. with its devious father and son at the head.
In efforts to compete with Jangga’s top pub, the most popular pub in the Seoul neighborhood of Itaewon, Saeroyi opens his own pub called DanBam. After a mishap in the newly opened restaurant, a spunky, independent, head-strong girl named Yi Seo joins Saeroyi’s effort to bring Jangga Co down. Yiseo and the rest of the employees at Danbam all have a role that draws viewers further into the storyline. The diverse cast is part of what makes Itaewon Class so enjoyable. DanBam’s employees consist of two ex-convicts, one transgender worker, a secret second son of a “chaebol,” and a young black man. It’s safe to assume that all of the employees of DanBam have been judged harshly before, but what makes the show so inspirational is that none of the characters allowed their differences to completely engulf them nor discourage them from reaching their goals. With the help of his new employees, and now lifelong friends, DanBam and Jangga Co. compete for the #1 company/pub in Korea.
After finishing the series, it’s noticeable that “Itaewon Class” followed a typical K-Drama structure, from the character interactions, to the violence, and even the betrayals; but what really made “Itaewon Class” special were the life lessons that viewers learn along the way. For example, this drama reinforces the lesson of never giving up; anything is possible if you put your mind to it. An inspirational and emotional drama, Saeroyi’s whole life was completely changed after his altercation with the Jang family left him in jail. However he built DanBam from the ground up with many roadblocks along the way and proved to the Jang family how capable he was. Karma was also a huge factor in the storyline. Without spoiling anything in particular, it’s safe to say that karma is very evident in the drama and that in the end, everyone will get what they deserve. An additional lesson in the drama was to know one’s worth. There were several moments in Itaewon Class where the employees of DanBam were treated like they were lesser people. However, the employees refused to let others get in the way of their success story and continued to build DanBam. Viewers are easily captivated with Saeroyi and his team’s story, rooting for them to transform their struggles into success.
“Itaewon Class” was truly an enjoyable drama. It became a hit for a reason! After watching until the end, viewers may feel left with an empty yet satisfied feeling. It is sad to say goodbye to the characters whom the viewers have come to love, but there is happiness in seeing how everything played out in the end. This drama is definitely recommended to anyone looking for a new show to watch during this time where most of us are spending long days at home. Once you see it, you’ll be wishing for a season 2!
This article was written by KPOP-TV Blog Team member Taryn Burress