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One of the most brutal K-dramas I've ever watched
Back in late 2023, I happened to find this show as a very high-rated show in MDL, so I decided to give it a try. However, I only watched until ep 6 then stopped, never touched it again, and marked it as completed in my watchlist.To be honest, the plot and storyline is not that bad, and I like all of the fighting scenes and violence depicted in this show. Nonetheless, I started to lose my interest when the third male lead popped up amidst the show. I never understood why he should turn against his two buddies who had protected him at the first place - it's like biting the hands that feed you, if I must say. Other than that, I don't seem to have any troubles regarding this show.
Acting is superb and most of the casts have done their best to bring out the essence of their characters (I only realized that Park Jihoon is one of Wanna One's former members wkwkwkwk).
Overall, a nine out of ten from me. Highly recommended for violence, bullying, gangster tropes' lovers :)
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A bullying story breathtakingly retold
I liked the seriousness of the series, but I did not like its ethics. The idea of revenge is something I am against in terms of making things right yourself. Also, the first 4 episodes seem like a completely different show than the last 4: while the first half focuses on a typical kind of conflict (with unexpected touches), the second half is more emotionally oriented - it deals with trauma and the unexplainable things it gets you to do. I would appreciate it more if the characters took responsibility for their actions rather than just treating everything as the world forcing it onto them. The only character that does that to some extent is Yeon Si Eun. Moreover, the ending of this season made me feel cold, sad, distressed and confused.I am going to watch the second part as well, but it gave me a very weird impression and I can't really decide to what extent I liked it compared to which I simply got emotionally wrecked because of the continuous conflict of the show. Overall, I do believe it's a good series because of the effort to take on such a contemporary problem with new twists. Even if I do not agree with the way things are solved throughout the series, the fact that it's so messed up made it feel crazily real. That, I believe, is rare and it's what I most appreciate about Weak Hero Class 1.
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Amazing!!
This might be the best drama I've ever watched!!
I don't even know how i'm going to start reviewing this because it's that good!!
Also, sooo excited for pt.2!!
Spoilers ahead~
You were warned
First off i just want so say, Park Ji-Hoon's acting is INCREDIBLE!!! I was even scared something actually happened to him (i hope not) because the ending scene where he broke the window?! Wow...I also saw the bts of this series and i think the other actors and staff (and PD) were genuinly shocked too... (Someone give this man more awards ffs)
Secondly I've actually not read the webtoon so I don't really know who to credit for this amazing story cuz...wow.
I love the camera work and what they all did to make it more emotional! Especially the hospital bed scene, maybe i'm sensitive but i couldn't get over it 3 days after finishing whc1 (idk if that's the correct abbreviation I apologise). Every time i looked at the scene tears started rolling down my cheeks on command even so good job to everyone who made this series work.
I think the best accomplishment this series has achieved is the emotional connection between the audience and the series.
I literally felt the sensation of revenge but also the sadness of the pain...the happy friendship but also the fall of it. Every single scene made this binge worthy.
So basically, just sit down and watch it.
Thank me later.
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Not for the Weak
I was interested to watch this because of Choi Hyun Wook but I didn’t like the topic, which is about school bullying. However, since i read so many good reviews about this drama, I decided it to watch it also!Wow! This drama is so brutal! Why does Korea have so many bullies in school? Is it just exaggerated in kdramas or is this norm in every school? I think in my country, there are some bullies of course, but generally not a lot. I asked my nephews and nieces as well as my friends’ children, they do not have bullies in their school (thank God!)
I think what’s striking in all the bullying cases (kdrama or in real life) is that these children had a sad childhood. Whether they were directly unloved, neglected, abused, or indirectly affected by family events like death, divorce, etc, it really impacts the children’s lives and their outlook. So I think parents should really be careful in raising their children. Not just raising, but actually decided if they want to have a children or not. Like in Si Eun’s case, both parents are working and had no time to care for their one and only child. Or Bum Seok who didn’t want to be adopted, but ended abused by his adoptive father. Or how about Young Bin, whose mother always let him get away with his misdeeds through money. And interestingly, it is Soo Ho, who didn’t have parents, but was lovingly brought up by his grandma, who had more integrity than the rest. So I guess, LOVE makes a whole lot of difference.
Si Eun was a loner but ended up having a really good friend in Soo Ho. He was willing to fight and die for his friends. Soo Ho, who always knows his boundaries, but always get into fights trying to save his friends from jealous people. Ugh! I didn’t know if I should hate Bum Seok or feel bad for him. Logic would think that he would be nicer since he knows what it’s like to be bullied, but usually anger and hatred makes you do things you don’t want to do.
This drama also showed how adults fail these children all the time. The parents who starts the neglect and abuse. The teachers who do not do anything, even turn a blind eye to the bullying. The bad men who put these children to labor or to crime. The police / government officials who also not able to arrest these bad guys.
Rating: 9/10
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Friendship isn't always expressed in words
I suggest you check it out for yourself, words cannot properly describe this drama. as everyone else said, binge it.I myself am not so good at writing reviews but I decided to still summarise my thoughts as this drama left quite an impression on me. I just finished the last episode and everything I have to say is....wow, I did not except this going into the drama.
I do not typically watch these types of dramas so it was honestly quite different from my usual romance. One thing I should say is that there should be more dramas like this, I do not see a lot of great depictions of friendship like here. And although it m,ight not seem like a friendship drama, deep down it is.
STORY:
I did not have any specific expectations going into this show and at a certain point I just thought that it was about teenagers learning about friendship and fighting. And although it wasn't boring, the same actions starting repeating, but I quickly came to realize that it was intentional and helped properly set the ending. Bullying is like a chain.
But overall I really cannot properly describe how well the story was done, it smoothly avoided clichés, the directing of this drama as a whole was very original and unique.
I already thought that this drama was good but when I saw the last episode, the bars that I set for it were raised by so much.
ACTING:
tbh this was my first time seeing Ji Hoon acting so I was not familiar with him, in fact I was not really familiar with most of the cast except for Hyun Wook and Seung Ho. Through the story I of course noted everyone's incredible acting skills but that was until I saw the scene in ep 8 when Si Eun was walking out of the classroom. I was stunned, shocked and most of all impressed as hell. I have not seen such expressive acting in a while.
MUSIC:
I will stay silent for this topic. I am a highly musical person, I love music and I ujst have to say that while this drama did not have so many OST's they definitely checked the boxes for me. IT is impossible to explain how well they compliment the story and the acting, whoever was in charge of the music thank you so much!
As a small warning......do not be fooled, you WILL need tissues.
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my favorite genre: angry and violent burnt out gifted kid core
honestly i am so biased because this show feels like it was made for me. as my little headline suggests i am a SUCKER for repressed angry gifted kids and this gave me the "the bullied bullies his enemies back" realness like i'm sorry but my guy sieun is a king. lived for it all. the fighting. the drama between the three friends. all the depression and trauma my 3 pookies go through. it's just # real. (i'm sorry i'm not a serious reviewer i have to joke a lil)ok but i seriously do think that the trio is perfect. they're such a power move!!! i personally love when 2 main characters have this sort of... how do i explain it. protective vibes for each other? like barely even know each other but already on each other's side? secret soft spot? becomes literal besties? with the bromance? *cough* couple material. not to mention a character who is hella morally grey but you end up feeling pained and sympathetic for them anyway because their situation is just. so dang complicated? like this trio has both and i personally feel like that's the perfect mix for complex relationships and thus themes of revenge/self-preservation/affects of trauma etc. so much more engaging.
also yes im a beomseok apologist and raging sieun supporter. had to be said. (yes these kids have issues. yes they make me feel heard. i will not be silenced LMAO)
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A Flawless Masterpiece: A Drama that Evokes Every Emotion
It's difficult to describe the experience I had while watching this drama... it's up to you to discover the exceptional masterpiece that is Weak Hero Class.STORY
The story is captivating, moving, and takes us through a rollercoaster of emotions. Each episode evokes a different feeling within me, whether it's passion, anxiety, anger, frustration, or something else entirely. The plot is brilliantly woven and meticulously crafted, to the point where I wished the drama would last even longer. The writing talent is truly remarkable! The characters are wonderfully described, each with their own distinct traits. This drama is filled with life lessons and biting critiques of contemporary society. Personally, I found it to be a fantastic experience, as it showcases an incredibly nuanced narrative work.
ACTING
What can I say about the acting other than it is exceptional? The main actors are fantastic. Their performances sent shivers down my spine on multiple occasions. It's as if they truly embody their characters in real life. Their gaze, facial expressions, gestures—every aspect of their physicality is executed with such precision that you believe in the authenticity of their characters. It's simply IMPRESSIVE. Wow... a true revelation!
MUSIC
The music, although slightly juxtaposed with the series, is incredibly well-executed. It brings a touch of freshness to a cruel and challenging universe. It's truly remarkable.
REWATACH VALUE
I have recommended this drama to everyone around me. It's a must-watch.
I also want to mention that the camera shots and technical execution are exceptional. Kudos to the team!
In conclusion, Weak Hero Class is a flawless masterpiece, an experience that stirs up every emotion and deserves to be discovered.
Congratulations to the team that worked on this remarkable drama.
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STRONG IF YOU CAN RELATE TO THE DRAMA WEAK IF YOU CAN'T
ActingPark ji Hoon has done it again, even though I always thought he was a better has a singer (lol).
The other two nail it men. They don't look like rookie.
Music
They where good since I am getting them to my playlist.
Opinion .
It really hit me hard. It wasn't a must watch but I can relate to this drama due to the environment I grow in. Seeing my colleagues getting stab and dieing. Is a very depressing thing.
The plot was written in such a way that you found yourself expose all your fear when you are young.
That is why I can't blame their friend when he show such an obvious weakness
Overall it was good .
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Great as a stand alone, as a live action? not as much
I watched this drama before reading the webtoon so this is my opinion as someone who didn't have any idea about how the original was, and I have to say, had I been a webtoon reader first, I might have not enjoyed and liked it as much as I did. If you are a fan of the webtoon, I'm going to be honest with you and say don't watch this, more on that in the end of my review.I tried not to spoil anything but there's a bit of spoiler at the end.
Story:
It consists of two arcs, basically, and they're very different from each other but that's what makes this drama special, along with the characters' friendship. I've seen people saying that the villain just turned out of nowhere, and I have to ask them, were we watching the same show?
I started the show expecting classroom fights but it's much more than that.
Acting:
The whole cast absolutely crushed it, especially Park Jihoon and Hong Kyung, for me, the latter made me feel every emotion his character felt, and I clearly saw the shift, they both did an exceptionably great job in the last episode, I couldn't go through it without tearing up every few scenes, even when I rewatched some scenes alone.
I don't really have much to say about the music so going to the next thing.
Rewatch Value:
The easiest 10 ever, I wasn't even done with the last episode when I thought "I have to rewatch this show sometime" it just feels like it'd be better with each rewatch because you'd be able to spot more details.
---Spoilers---
And now, to the Webtoon fans, why shouldn't you watch this? It's just too different from the source material, I'm still just where the flashback ended in the webtoon so I might be wrong, and if I am I will change this part but as of now:
The first half is basically non-existent in the webtoon, with original characters and events. I'm not sure if they, like, took it from later on in the manhwa and tweaked it to fit the begging but from what I see it is original to the drama.
Even with the main characters (the trio) they are very different here than in the manhwa, I don't want to spoil much but the fights start from the very begging and it's almost like SE (Gray) and SH (Stephen) switched roles at times, and I'd say BS (Bryce) is the biggest change in terms of personality, they made him a whole lot more tolerable and likable here, and the trio has more of a friends dynamic compared to the webtoon, SH is also very different, he's a fighter here, but he's still the very good friend he is in the webtoon.
My take? Do watch it, just not as an adaptation but rather as it's own show, approach it an open mind, and the change in names will help you see the two versions as two different things mostly.
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i miss whc sm I will start crying
whc is my fave drama. when I first watched it it impacted me so much that I had to rewatch it right away. everything about this drama is amazing, from the plot itself to the cast, the music (one of the bests out there, really) the aesthetic, everything is so amazing. I would say the drama divided to 2 parts. imo the first one is more enjoyable and interesting but the second one is satisfying. In the first part we can see how a beautiful friendship is born, and how they’re support each other, but at the second part we can see how can a person change to be liked by others. honestly, there are a lot of thoughts about beomseok but, I just can’t hate him :( no, I’m not justifying his actions, what he did was wrong and he knows it very well but, can we blame him? I’m speaking for myself rn but I kinda can relate to him. the desire for the “fame” and others affection, everybody wants it. but at what cost?I miss this drama so much it’s like my whole personality?i rewatch it 3 times, and when I missed it even more and couldn’t wait to the second season, I read the webtoon . and honestly I’m kinda regretting it now because if the second season going to be according to the webtoon, whc will have it downfall. well to summarize after this king ass speech, you should watch it. everyone should. if I could just publicity speak about this drama and convince people to watch it I would.
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A beautiful journey of friendships, trauma, school violence & result of bad parenting styles
I picked this drama up because I was intrigued by the story but I stayed for the characters and most importantly the phenomenal acting by the three young men.I cannot recommend this drama enough to everyone. The production and the acting is off the charts. The three boys gave it all their power into the acting. They brought the characters to life from a paper script.
Characters
The three main characters are Yeon Si Eun, Ahn Soo Ho and Oh Beum Sok. Ahn Soo Ho is a straightforward person and likes to live life freely on his own terms. He is a very hardworking person too and is able to get by from his jobs. He is very physically strong. He is also a strong personality and is street smart. He is unhinged and lives life on the edge. A little reckless to a fault. Yeon Si Eun oh my god where do I begin. He is very introverted and quiet. He is very book smart and is academically gifted. In the begining you will only seem him studying a lot in his class. Although smart, he is also reckless. Ahn Soo Ho brought all the emotions out of Si Eun. He made him smile for the first time and he made him cry for the first time. Yeon Si Eun is able to see what lies underneath people and sees Ahn Soo Ho for the caring person he is. Now coming to Oh Beum Sok. I also do not know where to begin with him. He is a very kind and loving person or could have been if it were not for the deep negativity he harbors within him win. I cannot go further into his character because it would become a spoiler.
Story & Production
The story is about three friends who go through fighting bullies at their school. The first half of the story is about the healthy relationship friendship bond the three make. The second half is about how loneliness and the darkness of our traumas can take over and ruin our lives and healthy relationships. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy that dooms us all and burns everything and everyone around us in the cross fire. The action and thrill you get from watching this story is like no other. It kept me intrigued through every minute of the show. It was exceptional story that kept me hooked. As for the production, the music and direction gave me goosebumps at times. And pulled me into the world of these three boys.
I gave it a slightly low rewatch value because if you watch the scenes again you might get triggered from the violence.
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Morality at question
Watching "Weak Hero" is honestly a difficult job. Much like Glory, it makes you feel the anger crawling through your skin and onto your psyche making you delirious of the madness of any justice that is about to come.It is absolutely worth feeling shocked at how incredible the acting in this series is. Each character is living, and breathing and feels very real. You feel the pain, the anger, and the warmth sometimes too. Among them, the most shocking transformation is Park Ji Hoon. For an idol-turned-actor, Ji Hoon's acting seems masterful and not like someone who has just stepped into a different world of main roles. He has breathed life into Si Eun's character and it is evident that the process would have been excruciating. On the other hand, it is no shocker for me that Choi Hyun Wook has such an incredible range of emotions even within one single 8-episode-long season, it is promising to witness his future roles and watch him grow even a wider diaspora of filmography.
High school dramas are mostly difficult to watch in the K Drama sphere, maybe because most of Asia suffer the same kind of trajectory in their school lives. It is difficult almost immensely so, it breaks you apart, tears you apart, and leaves you with traumas and scars you survive forever with. With dysfunctional families a very common harrowing reality present in the background, the effect is only heightened. "Weak Hero" is an ode to that: the horrific high school experience.
I don't want any empathy or redemption to be reserved for Bum Seok here, he is not a victim, he is a perpetrator. No amount of tears, guilt, regret, remorse, sad background music, revelations, flashbacks, or redemption arc would make me want to feel anything but anger for his character. There is no need for sadness or pity either, the way he turned out HE CHOSE TO BE THAT. Circumstances can push you to the edge, how to survive further is your active choice. An idea that is crucial to world-building in "Weak Hero".
Season 1 is tastefully done, at times pushing you into madness about what is to follow, but lays a very strong groundwork for the 2nd part to land on. We just wait and watch.
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