K-DRAMA FLASHBACK: ITAEWON CLASS

With Park Seo-joon as Park Sae-ro-yi taking center stage, the drama is his journey of revenge, growth, and love, but it also questions prejudice, promotes inclusivity, and celebrates diversity with other unique characters

- DEBASHREE DUTTA

Itaewon class (2020) stands out in its original and unique premise. After an accident claims his father’s life, Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon) plots to kill Jang Geun-won (Ahn Bo-hyun), a mighty Jang Daehee’s (Yoo Jae-myung) son. To thrive and exact revenge upon his release, Sae-ro-yi opens a bar-restaurant, DanBam in the multicultural neighborhood of Itaewon, but he lacks commercial acumen. This is when he encounters Kim Da-mi’s Jo Yi-seo.

A gripping narrative with heaps of unexpected twists, Sae-ro-yi’s odyssey keeps us hooked. Yet Itaewon Class’s examination of social issues and the hardships confronting marginalized groups is what sets it apart. Following Sae-ro-yi’s experiences, the series tackles societal hierarchy, prejudice, and the fight for fairness. Itaewon Class, I feel, invites us to reflect critically on what’s happening around us while also functioning as a learning resource and source of entertainment.

I dig Itaewon Class for its intricate yet well-realized characters. Its protagonists, from the gregarious and resilient Sae-ro-yi to the self-reliant and feisty Yi-seo, individually cultivate an emotional attachment that lasts past screen time via their trials and personal growths.

The show also spends time delving into the subtleties of morality and the ambiguities inherent in human nature. It presents flawed and morally gray people, subverting accepted notions of valor and villainy. The characters seem more real and relatable as a result of this nuanced portrayal, which also gives the story a deeper meaning.