Weak Hero - Ending Explained

The central tragedy of "Weak Hero Class 1" is the complete and utter destruction of the friendship between Si-eun, Soo-ho, and Beom-seok, which is orchestrated by Beom-seok himself. Driven by a toxic mix of jealousy toward Soo-ho and trauma from his abusive father, Beom-seok's inferiority complex metastasizes. He comes to believe Soo-ho sees him as an underling rather than a friend. This culminates in him hiring a skilled fighter and joining the bullies to stage a vicious assault on Soo-ho on his birthday. The attack is far more brutal than intended, leaving Soo-ho in a coma with an uncertain future.

In the aftermath, a grief-stricken and enraged Si-eun hunts down every person involved, taking them apart with methodical, cold fury. He confronts a guilt-ridden Beom-seok but ultimately spares him physically, leaving him to his psychological torment. Beom-seok's influential father arranges for him to be sent to the Philippines to escape the consequences, effectively exiling him. Si-eun is expelled and can only get into Eunjang High, a school known for its violent student body. The final scene shows Si-eun, on his first day at his new school, immediately being challenged by a new bully. Without hesitation, he retaliates, showing his complete transformation. A mid-credits scene reveals that his new opponent is connected to a mysterious criminal group called “The Association,” setting up the primary antagonists for Season 2.

A notable alternative interpretation focuses on the character of Oh Beom-seok, not as a simple villain, but as the series' most tragic figure and a product of his environment. From this perspective, Beom-seok's betrayal is not an act of pure malice, but a psychological breakdown resulting from severe abuse and trauma. His actions are seen as a desperate, albeit twisted, attempt to seize control in a life where he has none. His abusive father and the school's brutal social structure are the true villains, having created the monster he becomes. This reading shifts the focus from a story of a good friendship gone bad to a deeper critique of a society that fails its most vulnerable children, suggesting Beom-seok's downfall was tragically inevitable.