Weak Hero Class 1 (2022)

INTENSE AND DAMN GOOD

I generally watch k-dramas because they have a way of easing the viewer into topics, even though the topics dealt with in the shows might be intense and serious. This one does nothing of that sort, and it just continues to hit you in the face (in a very good way). And it's kudos to the actors, the director, and the writer for that. This has been an intense watch right from episode 1. The topics dealt with in this series are intense (bullying, drug abuse, parental abuse etc), but that does not mean that the show gets boring. It is the writer's credit for keeping the audience glued to the story despite having a pretty dark and gloomy setup, right from the get go. We have the protagonist, Yeom Si-eun, who is the topper of his class, but a loner; there's Ahn Soo-ho, who's always asleep in class, but the chirpiest (of the 3); and there's the newcomer Oh In-beom, who changed schools because he was bullied in his old school. The three become fast friends, and the rest of the drama is the story of their friendship. The first few episodes kinda ease you into watching the drama for the characters. The acting of all the characters are just top notch, each one packs a punch in their own ways. Anything more might appear as a spoiler, so this is all there is to it.
All that I can say about this drama is, the drama blurb is quite misleading. The story takes its own turns and gut punches you in its own ways. Was it a satisfying watch? Nope. Was it a quality watch? Fuck yes, absolutely. I am extremely glad that the director did not succumb to the demands of the formulaic high school drama, and stayed true to the characters till the very end. Kudos for having the courage to do that.
Overall, a 10/10.

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Okay, maybe season 2 might top it off?

I recently watched weak hero class 1 and I have to say, it had so much potential. The acting and emotions portrayed in this drama were exceptional, and every character was well-developed and easy to love. The show had a great concept, and it was executed brilliantly. However, I was left disappointed with the ending. Despite this, I'm hoping for a season 2 as I can't wait to see what happens next. The show's ability to capture the raw emotions of each character is truly remarkable..The drama was a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of laughter and tears. Overall, this show is a promising drama that leaves you wanting more. If you're looking for a drama that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between, this drama might be for you.

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It's ok

Not the most awesome drama in history but it's entertaining and very well acted. I have already read the webtoon it's based on but I am not comparing them. I see it as its own story.

So my main issues with this drama are :

- I could barely stand Si Eun and found him very dislikeable. Personal preference. No hate.

- I wish the trio relationship and characters would have been way more developed. We barely see them actually interacting with each other before it got dismantled. What do they actually love in each others ? What do they each bring to each others ? What do they see in each other ? I wished we could have actually learned more about them through one another and see them change positively thanks to their bond, before it started to break down and regress because of the inherent character flaws they had (well, especially Beom Seok's character flaws). It was brushed too quickly, so it didn't impact me that much. I didn't have enough material to actually feel involved and really care about their relationship, and the characters on their own even.

- The reason their relationships broke wasn't developed enough either. Because of Young Yi? Beom Seok was insecure and got jealous + the return of those bullies that traumatised him (as if he wasn't enough with his dumbass father), I got that, but it happened very quickly, and because their friendship wasn't very interesting in the first place (imo) it just happened like that and didn't really make me feel like it mattered much.

- I didn't like the OST. Too cheesy. Just isn't fitting imo.

Other than that, the pacing is ok, acting is definitely good, characters are interesting. Beam Seok is a very good, very flawed and very tragic character. Fights ARE awesome. I loved watching them. Ending is good, heart wrenching but appropriately done, I think.

So yeah. I liked it but I didn't love it.

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Led astray by good reviews

I wish there was a more official/critical Korean review website, as MDL has led me to another bad show with their strangely high ratings. I’m dropping the show at 4 episodes, because of many reasons:
1. Lack of plot - a lot (seriously a lot) of time is dedicated to action sequences, which aren’t bad but it leaves very little time in the episode for character/plot development
2. Inconsistency of plot - I understand that it is fictional, but a little too unrelatable for them to be having fights out on the street, gangs running around, knives everywhere, and no police presence at all. Even when the police does show up they simply hang back until the very last moment. It seems very inspired by some 70s action flick and I’m not sure how that is still being popularized in 2023, set in a country that is actually full of cameras and police on patrol. Also, the lack of the perpetrators wealth makes little sense in a very hierarchical society where the poor rarely act so openly.
3. Plot holes - One example is the fentanyl issue which was shown to be a big deal, but then simply disappeared from the story without any legal recourse over the next episode
4. Pacing - The show gives the illusion of being fast paced due to all the fights, but the actual story has a painfully slow pace and I’m failing to see any background/ character info (for none of the main guys) even going into the 5th episode.
*The only positive are all the ML’s and their acting skills.
I came here after Season 1 of The Glory which is based off of true events, in search for a similar high school bullying/revenge drama but this has been a strange experience reminiscent of the old action movies I’ve never been interested in. Overall, watch this show for entertainment but not for a deep or profound social commentary because Weak Hero Class 1 doesn’t have any substance to
it.

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A let down for the Weak Hero Manhwa fans

This is coming from someone who is reading and REALLY enjoys the manhwa.

This show was just disappointing. When I heard of this adaptation I was really excited for it and it really did deliver with the acting, music and fight choreography. However, the main thing that makes or breaks everything is the story and it was completely changed from the manhwa. I can understand not wanting to copy directly from the comic but then why use the name of the comic in the first place? Most of the episodes felt like filler and the characters were not in character.

If you have not read the Manhwa and enjoyed this tv show then I definitely do recommend checking it out. I was immensely disappointed coming to this from the Manhwa.

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Heartrenching, enraging masterpiece

Tbh I’m a fan of the manhwa that happens to also watch kdramas etc, and let me tell you this was 100% it for both.
Plot wise it doesn’t cover the story of the manhwa but tells the story before the beginning of it. Bits and pieces of the drama have appeared in the manhwa in flashbacks and such but not, well, not THIS.
They took a story about a teen who facing tough times and his own genius, ends up making actual friends ready to stand by his side through everything and making the best casting choices I’ve seen to date brought it to life.
Every single actor have their moments and they all make you actually connect. The scenario is built in a way that kills your insides at the end but also makes you understand the manhwa in such a different light. Every reader have their own suspicions when reading but actually coming face to face with such a story and that, done through such acting, directing, everything is perfection.
Idk what else to say, honestly I’ve seen this one too many times.

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I decided to watch this series due to admiring Hyunwook's acting during Twinkling Watermelon and wanted to work more of his works. He is an amazing actor and I really enjoyed both Jihoon and Hyunwook's acting in Weak Hero Class. I am very much looking forward to Season 2 of this series. Jihoon and Hyunwook have great chemistry and there is good bromance in this series. I am also looking forward to watching Ryeoun in Season 2 after watching him in Twinkling Watermelon as well. But this series is fantastic and Jihoon is a great actor and uses his emotions extremely well. This series deserves his high rating because it really is that good. I haven't read the webtoon so I can't compare the two but, Jihoon's acting and emotions just really ties this series together and creates an amazing series. I binged the whole series quickly because I was eager to know what happened next. Every episode was a journey and i'm glad there will be a season 2 to enjoy futher of this masterpiece.

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Emotionally grappling

The intricate relationships between the characters, the raw emotions portrayed, and the intense conflicts they face make the story captivating and thought-provoking. The way the characters navigate through their challenges, support each other through thick and thin, and ultimately find strength in their unity is truly inspiring. The story delves deep into the complexities of human nature, the power of friendship, and the resilience needed to overcome life's obstacles. It is a rollercoaster of emotions that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating what will happen next.

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Park jihoon acting is the most AMAZING thing i ever saw!

I watched it 3 times. I am waiting for 2nd season!!
All the actors did amazing job! it's a must-have ;)

the story is a about quiet but very smart high school student (sieun)
and the boy who is always sleeping at school and works after classes, he is very good at sports and he is training in MMA (suho). then in the first episode, those two started to become friends. it’s really cute and sweet how they protect each other all the time. then we have beon-Seok, who transferred from another school for rich people because of bullying, in this school, there are also some bullies whose as an aim took Sieun, but he gives with suho good punishment too tho so bullies. those 3 guys become friends that get in trouble together and try to survive together. than there is a girl that helped them and become new part of the group. Beom-Seok was verrrry jelouse and he felt lonely. so he become friends with bullies from school and not only. he want to be a bad guy and get revenge on his friends. suho is mad at him but sieun was Kind of sad and he hopped he will come back. and don’t want to spoil the ending. but there is a lot of fighting scenes and one of the person will end up in coma. they won’t be friends like that used to be. and one of them ends painfully the drama with sweet revenge, his suffering and transferring to another school.

it’s ver worth watching it’s my fav drama!!💪💕

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Non riesci a staccarti dal guardarlo

Brutale, emozionante, ti manda il cuore in mille pezzi.
Ho appena concluso la visione di questa opera meravigliosa e sono rimasta, dopo tanto che non mi capitava, a bocca aperta.
Premettendo che amo le tematiche crude, se dovessi scegliere tra 'drama tranquillo' o 'drama con tematiche importanti' sceglierò sempre il secondo.
Non è un semplice drama a tematica scolastica, ma bensì molto più profondo.
L'amicizia, il tradimento, le botte e il sangue, droga sono tutti argomenti ricorrenti e messi in scena in una maniera splendida.
Una nota di merito a Park Ji hoon, meraviglioso nella recitazione con uno sguardo che mi ha lasciato a bocca aperta.
Consiglio la visione a chi vuole avere una altalena di emozioni.
Assolutamente si, per me è si.

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Quiet Achiever

Loved this series. This was unexpected as I stumbled across it on YT. It's also on Viki.
All the cast played their part well. The action flowed; the dynamic between each person was showcased well with the bad guys being just as much intricate as the good guys. The overall plot wasn't complicated. I love high school series and the ML was excellent in that his characteristics were basically robotic, emotionless pretty much, but you still got to see what was ticking on inside his head. You see the changes in his personality as he starts to develop empathy towards the people now closest to him. A bromance of sorts which I love this dynamic.
I'm anticipating S2 to be out (hopefully) this year.

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