Weak Hero (2022)

Loss of innocence

This show's thematic focus seems to be about the tragedies of school bullying. Of course that is a theme. However, that theme is situated within something deeper: the loss of (youthful) innocence. Yeon Shi Eun's greatest battle is not against bullies or preserving friendship, but against the corruption of adulthood. Part of adulthood, psychologically, is the recognition that the world is broken and appears to be that way perpetually. That there seems to be such strong spiritual interest in the afterlife, usually an image of something ideal and blissful, reflects on our pain of living in a broken world. Consider a young person voting for the first time feeling like their vote and voice matters in the big picture. Or someone who attends a political rally. Of course these actions matter, but the adult mind recognizes we're throwing cotton candy at brick walls. We're disturbed by how the brick walls of social behavior developed, self-proliferate, and that we have little power to change things at a broad, macro level. We labor to contribute to society through family, work, community, and in those spaces, we experience nepotism, bias, ignorance. It takes so much energy to retain our values, our innocence, our vision of a better world. Right now, Shi Eun is fighting so hard for his innocence. His refusal to retaliate or attack Oh Beom Seok symbolizes this inner fight.

The three male leads were terrific. But I was also impressed with Young Yi and Jeon Seok Dae in their support roles. They were morally complex and I would love to see greater development for these characters. The thugs/villains were unremarkable, bearing no complexity, and were your average dumb thug unable to learn and grow. I'm not a fan of the portrayal of adults (teachers, police, family) being completely inept in handling school bullying issues. In terms of social commentary, it feels like slap in the face to the difficult work these roles play in our society. Many teachers, police, and parents already feel undervalued by society. Can the story show us some glimpse into the critical value these people provide?

The show has succeeded - perhaps too well - in explaining what the societal problems are. It is desperately clear what's wrong. However, the narrative has done little to shed light on what the solutions are. I'm interested in that discourse. What can students, adults, and society do to improve upon these issues? So far, what I'm getting is pick up a pen, a fire extinguisher, and strike back. I hope the future material can facilitate discourse for solutions.

The opening sound track, "Weak Hero", by Meego, is haunting. Thinking about it gives me goosebumps. Listening changes my affect immediately. It's the perfect musical embodiment of innocence lost. It reminds me of how powerful music is as a companion to script and image.

Overall, this is a high quality show and I'm hoping that it widens its lens a bit and doesn't belabor the point of bullying. Or simply provide graphic violent fight scenes to satiate our bloodlust. I hope the story takes us to a wiser and more peaceful place.

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