Itaewon Class Review: Redefining Revenge & Dreams

Title: Itaewon Class

Episodes: 16

Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy 

Main Cast: Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi, Kwon Nara, Yoo Jae-myung

Streaming Platform: Netflix 

Image Credit: Wikipedia

When justice fails and society turns its back, what does it take to rise again? "Itaewon Class" isn’t just a story about revenge; it’s about building something meaningful in a world that constantly tries to break you.

“Itaewon Class” is a South Korean television series aired on JTBC from January 31, 2020, to March 21, 2020. Written by Gwang Jin and directed by Kim Seong-yoon, the show is based on the webtoon of the same title. The series consists of 16 episodes, available to watch on Netflix.

Plot Summary 

Park Sae-ro-yi lost his father in an accident caused by the reckless driving of Jang Geun-won, the son of Jang Dae-hee, the CEO of Jangga Group. Fueled by anger, Sae-ro-yi severely injures Geun-won and is subsequently sentenced to three years in prison. Determined to avenge his father's death, Sae-ro-yi sets his sights on taking down Jangga Group and opening the world's best restaurant.

Oh Soo-ah, who is the first crush of Sae-ro-yi, receives sponsorship from Jangga Group for her studies and eventually starts working for them as Strategic Planning Head. Seven years after the incident, Sae-ro-yi starts his own restaurant, DanBam, in Itaewon.

Jo Yi-seo, a talented and intelligent girl, falls for Sae-ro-yi and earns the position of manager at DanBam through her impressive skills. With the help of his hardworking and dedicated staff, Sae-ro-yi's restaurant starts flourishing with crowds, posing a threat to the Jangga Group. Dae-hee attempts to take down Sae-ro-yi using his influence, but Sae-ro-yi retaliates with all his strength.

My Thoughts 

The writer has crafted an excellent script with an inspiring storyline that is full of entertainment. The cinematography and direction are top-notch, immersing us in the modern and vibrant life of Seoul. The entire cast delivers outstanding performances, but I would like to especially praise Park Seo-joon for his impressive acting skills.

The storyline of the show is motivational, featuring a unique revenge plot combined with a business theme. However, the romantic aspect of the series was somewhat disappointing due to a lack of chemistry between the lead actors. On the other hand, the emotional bond among the restaurant staff was satisfying and pleasant to watch.

I also love the soundtrack "Start Over" by Gaho; it's such an energizing song, and the other tracks are also enjoyable. In addition to this, the show effectively addressed important social issues such as discrimination against ex-convicts, the LGBT community, and foreigners, as well as the misuse of power and money.

The series conveys a powerful message about dreaming big and pursuing those dreams with determination, despite the setbacks that may occur along the way.

Overall, “Itaewon Class” is an inspiring drama featuring a unique storyline and a blend of various genres. If you find yourself bored with typical Korean drama plots and are seeking something motivational, I highly recommend watching it.

Did "Itaewon Class" inspire you, too? Tell me your thoughts in the comments section. I welcome your ideas! Comment below with any topics you’d like me to write about.

Fans of cool revenge storytelling will also love my review of Vincenzo. 

My Rating: 8/10