Itaewon Class

Itaewon Class tells the sprawling story of Park Sae-ro-yi, a young man whose life is shattered after he is expelled from school for punching a bully and later imprisoned following the death of his father. Upon his release, Sae-ro-yi refuses to let his past define him. He sets a fifteen-year plan in motion to open a pub named DanBam in the multicultural district of Itaewon, aiming to topple the Jangga Group, the powerful food conglomerate responsible for his family's ruin.

As the series progresses, Sae-ro-yi gathers a team of social misfits, including a sociopathic but genius manager, an ex-con, a transgender chef, and a Guinean-Korean server. Together, they navigate the cutthroat world of the food industry, facing constant sabotage from Chairman Jang Dae-hee. The narrative evolves from a simple revenge plot into a complex exploration of what it means to succeed without compromising one's soul, set against the backdrop of Seoul's most diverse and energetic neighborhood.

The core meaning of Itaewon Class lies in the power of unwavering integrity and the definition of true success. It posits that a life lived according to one's own principles—no matter how costly—is the ultimate victory over those who use power to oppress others. The show argues that success is not merely about wealth or corporate dominance, but about the people you carry with you and the strength to remain human in an inhumane world. It is a celebration of the marginalized, suggesting that those deemed "misfits" by society are the ones capable of bringing about genuine change.

While widely viewed as an underdog revenge story, some critics interpret the series as a critique of late-stage capitalism, where the hero must become a corporate giant himself to find justice. Another interpretation focuses on the romantic choice: many fans argue that Oh Soo-ah was a more realistic and tragic character whose life of compromise was a more accurate reflection of society than Sae-ro-yi's idealism. There is also a reading of the show as a coming-of-age allegory for South Korea itself—moving away from rigid, authoritarian 'father' figures (Chairman Jang) toward a more inclusive, youth-driven future.

Itaewon Class had a profound cultural impact by challenging traditional K-drama tropes. It significantly advanced the conversation on diversity in South Korean media by featuring a transgender main character and a Black Korean character, both of whom were treated with dignity and depth. The show sparked the 'Park Saeroyi Syndrome,' influencing men's fashion and hair trends across Asia. Furthermore, its portrayal of the Itaewon district as a vibrant, multicultural hub boosted local tourism. The series is frequently cited in South Korea as a source of entrepreneurial inspiration, with its lessons on leadership and business ethics being studied by young professionals and university students.

Itaewon Class was a massive hit, reaching a peak viewership of 16.5% in South Korea and becoming a global phenomenon on Netflix. Audiences praised its inclusive casting and the magnetic performance of Park Seo-jun. The character of Jo Yi-seo was polarizing, with some finding her refreshing and others finding her 'sociopathic' traits off-putting. The final two episodes faced criticism for relying on overused K-drama tropes like kidnapping, which some felt clashed with the show's grounded, business-oriented roots. However, the overall verdict remains overwhelmingly positive, cemented by its win for Best Drama Series at the 25th Asian Television Awards.