Fauna din Itaewon (2020)

I would have given this show a 10 if it wasn't for the romance that skewed the ending. The plot is great and the actors are all amazing to the point where you very clearly see each of their characters' flaws and come to dislike each of them. The main lead (and his father) were the only exceptions for that. The Jangga family had some powerful villainous acting and I looked forward to seeing them every week. The only issue I have is with the romance. This is one of those shows that didn't need romance, but unfortunately shows with 0 romance don't seem to exist anymore (or ever??). Even if the the chemistry between the leads was absolutely necessary, it happened wayy too quickly for anyone's liking. It was almost like PSJ did a complete 180. Now obviously they tried to give parts early on showing that he was warming up to her but I don't think they were not strong enough to warrant such a change in feelings. If the director had gone for the "I need you" thing more than the "I suddenly love you" thing this wouldn't have ended with a slightly sour taste in my mouth. However, the story itself is good enough of a reason to watch this show!

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I don’t usually write reviews but this drama really deserved this attention. Indeed, it’s the best k-drama I’ve seen so far, it’s absolutely not a classical love story, there’s so much behind. The story is excellent as much as the acting crew this is seriously a masterpiece in the K-drama category ! Would totally recommend it and it’s ABSOLUTELY NOT a waste of time.
To be honest if I loved it so much it’s because I felt every second of it, I’ve never been bored once while watching it, every single episode surprised me, there’s always a new event that makes the story more complete and touching. I’ve felt a lot of emotions while watching it and it’s mostly thanks to the amazing actors and not only the main ones !

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A drama with a beautiful message

"You can overcome any of life's difficulties, as long as you are alive"... My favorite quote from this beautiful drama about our human condition.

There are a lot of negative reviews about this drama and based on those negative reviews I was hesitant to watch this drama. Plus the title of the drama "Itaewon class" sounded like a high school drama.

After watching this drama, I gave it a perfect 10, simply because of the message this drama carries and that is to strive for that special way of being that speaks truth, integrity and honor. When one is being this "higher" self, the race , gender, sexuality, and greed don't really matter and is subject to interpretation. This drama addressed all these issues in a nice little story line (somewhat predictable), but very much needed in today's divided world. I applaud the Korean writers and the directors to address this touchy subject and bring forth light into the sometimes a dark world created by us human beings.

SaeRoYi was almost like Ghandi and a line mentioned in one of the episodes. Some other reviewers of this drama have critiqued that there was very little transformation with SaeRoYi . I beg to differ. There was a huge transformation and that was shown through his love life. He was living so much in anger that he was not in touch with his own feelings. From my point of view, it was very fitting that SaeRoYi was attracted to SooAh who had nothing much to offer. Her way of being was shallow and SaeRoYi was way out of her league. The only problem was SaeRoYi had not discovered his self-worth yet... His motivation was "revenge". Because of SaeRoYi darkness, he could not see the true love that was beside him all the time.. our glorious Jo Yi Seo. At one point Jo Yi Seo tells SooAh that "I love him so much that I can put my life on line for him". In other words, we tend to be attracted to that person who matches our own inner vibration.

SaeRoYi transformation began when he saw that he had been following the path Jang Dae Hee had been walking and SaeRoYi 's mind and heart were not aligned. And once his heart came alive there was nothing stopping SaeRoYi. He had realized his self-worth. What I loved about this drama that the realization of self-worth is nothing unless shared with his friends..... This is where I start to cry..... Imagine a world where we honor, love and respect each other without biases and judgement.!!! I also applaud the directors the producers for choosing Kim Da Mi to play the role of Jo Yi Seo. As compared to SooAh, she is not an attractive gal but given her stand and her ability to find a diamond in the rough, makes her an amazing, beautiful woman. Again, a point made by the writers of this drama when SaeRoYi comes into his own, it is a "no wonder" he chose Jo Yi Seo. Here, some other reviewers have critiqued that SaeRoYi realization about Jo Yi Seo was very quick and did not feel real. I personally believe that the whole drama was laying the foundation of their relationship and all was needed a little spark to set the bomb of love to explode for SaeRoYi . So I think it was just right amount of time spent for SaeRoYi to realize his love.. but his love as for himself as well as his friends.

Writers: May be it was not intentional on your part, but to me your message love and beauty to transform a person's heart was very poignant.

In Summary.. If you like self discovery, that idealistic way of being that transforms the society, I highly recommend this drama.

Thank you all those who helped to produce this drama.

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For someone who is a pure romance drama lover, I really loved this show
it thought me a lot of things and so for some very odd reasons it made me hate a few things that people do. Like
in the drama, there is something the main character doesn't like to do and hates when people do it (when you watch it, you would find out what I do not like)
at first, the only reason I watched this was because of the lead male character and because it was under the category of romance dramas which was what I like.
I didn't want to continue watching the drama cause the romance in the show was really small but for some very odd reasons I found myself wanting to watch it more

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A Gripping Saga of Revenge, Resilience, and Redemption

"Itaewon Class" is a compelling Korean drama that weaves a narrative rich in themes of perseverance, justice, and ambition. The series, based on the popular webtoon of the same name, tells the story of Park Sae-ro-yi, played by Park Seo-joon, whose life takes a dramatic turn after a tragic incident involving his father and a powerful conglomerate.

The plot is driven by Sae-ro-yi's quest for revenge and his determination to build a successful business from scratch. Alongside a diverse cast of characters, each with their own backstories and struggles, the show addresses various societal issues, including inequality, discrimination, and the challenges faced by marginalized groups.

One of the standout features of "Itaewon Class" is its character development. Sae-ro-yi is a particularly compelling protagonist, characterized by his unwavering moral compass and resilience. Kim Da-mi delivers a standout performance as Jo Yi-seo, a brilliant and rebellious social media influencer who becomes a pivotal ally in Sae-ro-yi's journey.

The series is also visually appealing, with the vibrant neighborhood of Itaewon serving as a dynamic backdrop. The soundtrack, featuring artists like Gaho and V, complements the emotional depth of the story.

While some plot points may feel predictable, the overall narrative remains engaging and emotionally resonant. "Itaewon Class" effectively balances moments of intense drama with lighter, more heartwarming scenes, creating a well-rounded viewing experience.

"Itaewon Class" is a must-watch for fans of Korean dramas. Its strong performances, compelling story, and social commentary make it a standout series that resonates with a broad audience.

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Itaewon class = trivial storyline, but excellent performances. Often times I am impressed by series and films that make me think deeply and discover things I wouldn't have on my own and I believe this drama is one of them. Itaewon class centers around a man who believed in the importance of ideas and values costing him almost everything. throughout his life, his motto and drive were pushed by hate and the strife of revenge and on that path, he discovered something much more.

The storyline as mentioned earlier is quite trivial, I have watched dramas similar if not 98% followed in suit, but the joint work each character and the expression on the smallest performances were what made Itaewon class a very emotional experience. The depiction of first love and its innocence when lost to hardships of life, and how hard work pays off no matter the period in which the hardships are stretched. Small lessons like that made the impact of the drama heavier

Even with little things like the change of looks of the character but the constant physical appearance of Park Saeroyi over the span of 14years showed how everyone changed in character but little of his ideals and goals changed. These little things details made the drama so much more than it already was. A lot of reviews focus on the aspect of how the main lead was made to look good and how unimportant some roles were.

A protagonist is made to appeal to the hearts of viewers and what you take away is up to your palette, but the supporting characters really taught me a lot especially Kwon Nara and Kim Dong Hee who showed growth in character when faced with hardships and how many people prioritize different things In life. Even the characters that addressed a lot of issues that are faced in South Korea like racism and gender rights were also tackled in this film teaching a lot of people valuable lessons.

Not to mention the lovely soundtrack contributed by various artists and the interludes and instrumentals by composers who have a talent for days. I believe when I listen to the soundtrack of a drama of the basis of the context and internalize it, that piece of work is truly great. shout out to Kim Feel and studio curiosity for blessing my ears every day.

I personally learned a lot from this drama and it made me think about what I would have done if I was in any of their places and not to mention Park Bo Gum's cameo. Itaewon Class makes you reflect and have fun at the same time, watch it you won't regret it!

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DEEP AND MEANINGFUL VIEWING IN MANY WAYS

Please be warned that this review contains spoilers. My focus in this article is primarily to consider the writing of Jo Kwang-jin. He is the author of the webtoon upon which "Itaewon Class" is based. He also wrote the script for the series.

Kwang-jin has done an exceptional job. I am full of admiration for him. The drama is intelligently written and sequenced with flair between main-story, back-story, side-story and parallel-story. A number of his characters are quirky and they enliven the entertainment. All the main characters come from a position of social weakness. For example: a black Korean who continually has to authenticate his nationality, two sons who are emotional casualties of a ruthless and domineering father, an illegitimate child, an orphan, etc.; even the billionaire villain was a starving street-child in his early years.

I was particularly impressed that Ma Hyun-yi, one of Kwang-jin’s characters was transgender and that Kwang-jin allows her to shine brightly in the sun. This is a major moment in Korean dramas given South Korea’s continuing reluctance to celebrate that, just like skin-colour or eye-colour or height (etc.), gender identity is a characteristic with which one is born and that ‘normal’ is a word that covers many possibilities. The events that culminated in Ma Hyun-yi’s coming-out as transgender on national television were riveting viewing, and the script and Lee Joo-young’s acting were superb. Anyone who watches this scene with a humane mindset will be emotionally touched by seeing what unconditional love looks like between genuine friends who sincerely care for one another and who see deeper than a person’s surface.

Park Seo-jun is one of my favourite actors and, in this role, he shows the depth and breadth of his abilities. As the lead actor, Park Seo-jun creates a Park Sae-ro-yi who is an uncomplicated man and who stays true his friends 100% of the time -- he never blames nor criticises them. This seems like a simple acting task on the face of it but as one follows Park Seo-jun from episode to episode, it is easy to appreciate that in acting Sae-ro-yi, Park Seo-jun has to dig deep. Sae-ro-yi wholeheartedly trusts those around him and he leads the cast when it comes to demonstrating unconditional love. Sae-ro-yi also never hesitates to accept responsibility however heavy that burden will be. Kwang-jin’s life-philosophies that are delivered to the audience via Sae-ro-yi are truly a gift to the world. In Park Sae-ro-yi, Kwang has created a template for what constitutes an immensely decent human being. It would be a wonderful world -- a really wonderful world, in fact -- if there were more people like Sae-ro-yi around.

In addition: the makeup is first class (watch how Jang Dae-hee ages and becomes increasingly ill); the soundtrack is exceptional and deserves special recognition; all actors create believable and authentic characters; the direction and the production are magnificent. I must also make mention of Ahn Bo-hyun’s acting. His performance as Jang Geun-won is incredible. I have never felt so sorry for the bad guy as I did for Geun-won. It is to Jo Kwang-jin’s writing-credit and Ahn’s acting that Geun-won comes to life as such a deeply flawed character with whom the audience can feel angry, sad and sorry. I never stopped hoping that he would see the error of his ways and change.

There is no doubt in my mind at all that any viewer who watches this show will we richly rewarded if they look beyond simple entertainment and straightforward romance. This is a memorable and outstanding drama. I anticipate that many awards will wander its way. I don't normally re-watch shows but I might make an exception for this one.

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No drama can beat this drama! It shows that no one should ever give up even if it takes 5 years or 10 years, it’s all about believing yourself and that’s exactly what Park Saeroyi showed. Many people hate Jo Yiseo’s character because she’s a “baddie” and she’s “disrespectful” but that’s exactly why I love her character, they need to show that even girls can be strong. Even though he’d character was cocky I really liked how she believed that she would end up making Saeroyi fall in love with her, even when she was loosing confidence she still promised to be by his side. The fact that Saeroyi finally gave up his pride and went in his knees for Daehee after so many years just so he could save Yiseo from danger shows how much she means to him I really enjoyed their chemistry in the drama and the last few episodes made it even better! Jang Geun Won really annoyed me the most ? Like he’s so handsome but he doesn’t know when to give up. I also really am glad that Jang Daehee (the chairman) finally went on his knees even though Saeroyi did it first it’s worst for Daehee because he’s the chairman and he was asking for forgiveness after his company was failing! Enough with those character i’d like to mention Ma Hyeonyi!! She’s so freakin beautiful like how can someone look so stunning with short hair??? The drama did not just display about working hard but it showed how so many people are against transgender and her character just played a big role to how our society is! Over all I don’t know why people have this drama so much because I enjoyed every episode! It’s really worth the watch!

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Where do I even begin with this drama? How do I begin to describe how excellent it is? How it made me feel? There was no question that I had to give it a 10/10. Everything about it is perfect. There is nothing I would change. The plot is fantastic, the characters are amazing, and it has THE best OST literally ever (I mean c'mon The Rose and Kim Taehyung have songs for it so like how could it not be?)

The Plot: Perfectly executed. I usually hate time skips and this drama had a good amount of them but omg they used them perfectly. It all worked so well together. The story unfolded in an emotional incredible way. I was invested in every second, every word.

Characters: The acting on this drama was so incredible omg. They all created such incredible characters, Each and every character had immense depth, and development. Each one was incredibly portrayed and aged as the show progressed. I use the term "aged" only to mean they each changed. Changed, in incredible ways. Whether they learned through love, hardship, or mistakes, each character grew and developed and it was incredible to watch. Even the characters that we are meant to hate, I loved. I loved to hate them.

Representation: I have to bring this up because never before have I seen a Korean drama with such blatant representation. This show brought up things other series never dared to touch. Whether it be the taboo against LGBT persons in Korea, or the existence of racism that still exists, this drama covered it in such a bold and emotional way. This drama was so important for that fact alone. It made a bold and beautiful statement and did it beautifully.

Honestly this drama can be enjoyed by anyone. It's set up in such a way that you don't have to be a fan of anything in it. I have absolutely no interest in dramas about restaurants, or business, or revenge. None. But it didn't matter because this drama was so much more than that. Romance, humor, friendship, hardship, death, tragedy, loss, injustice, unrequited love, loyalty, growing up, perseverance, and love. This drama wasn't about business, or revenge, or romance. This was a portrayal or what it means to live.

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I felt the emotions I had to cry the first 6 episodes the beginning eye- just can't because it was just- i can't describe it but it was a really good kdrama it was my first or second one I really love it and this one person annoyed me so much because why would you do this??? i want to slap him still






































































it was perfect tough

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Great Drama with a great message that everyone needs to watch

This is a story that needed to be told. Korea has too many prejudices that stem from fear and outdated traditions. I have too many personal experiences of intolerance towards many issues stemming from misunderstandings and ignorance. There needs to be more stories about love, equality and inclusion for all people no matter what their situation is. This is a great story about love in all shapes. I would love it if there were more stories of this sort. The acting was on point. I really felt for the characters and the story because they were able to portray such complex emotions. The music aids in bringing the story to life and I can't wait to rewatch it when I feel I need a boost of confidence.

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I enjoyed watching this drama. Above anything else, it's about sticking to your values and yout own self. Friendship and loyalty. Which is good, and interesting to watch. Specially when you see the characters influencing each other's actions. Even though the male lead is presenting as this upstanding guy with amazing morals, there are times in which he moves things according to his endgoal, even if he knows deep down that it's probably hurting somebody (like how he kept coming back to the ex-cop or in a way took advantadge of a character's feelings for him to keep her by his side when she could've have better offers). And the opposite thing applies, one of the characters is cynical and more of in a gray area but learns from watching him and I like that they start to enjoy live and human interactions together. She says it in the final chapter, neither of them knew what human warmth was until they tried to built it together.
I liked that the drama talked about racism, transphobia, ageism and so on, but I find it was a little shallow on its approach. Things don't solve themselves by miracle and knowing how the world, specially Corea, is about those topics, I don't really believe for example in the scene in which a character can easily say she is trans and everybody cheers on her. It's difficult to find that scene realistic, but I want to believe that there'll be a time in which it won't matter. Like the show said, you don't have to prove yourself, your choices, and in my opinion you don't owe people an explanation. I also don't like how easily forgiven the character who outed her was. Like I wouldn't even do that to somebody I considered my enemy, even less to a friend and in a society like that, wtf.
Other issue I had is that I do like the endgame couple and I was sold in why they fell for each other. He broaded her worldview and made her want to live and have values to believe in and work to achieve them by watching him and then later on wanting to fight for him. And she was his pillar, he's always done everything by himself, putting barriers even among his friends, but little by little she became a part of himself without his notice. I understand that, so that's why I liked the pairing. I just would've liked more scenes of them in the 2020 timeline pre-kidnapping in which he catches himself having feelings for her he can't quite understand yet. I think the writers clun to the love square-sometimes pentagon for way longer than they should've have done so.
I wouldn't say this is the best drama I've ever watched, but it was worth watching and I'm glad they're starting to include social issues like the ones they did. I also understand that there might be limits as far of what the writers can say on tv, and that even having a trans character and a character with a darker skin tone it's already a step forward.

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