Weak Hero Class 1, the newest K-drama on the block creating a buzz, is a striking portrayal of student culture with its highs as well as lows. High-school violence and bullying is a brutal reality, especially in South Korea. This has led to numerous K-dramas often highlighting it as a theme, both for awareness and as a regular societal situation. Nonetheless, Weak Hero Class 1 stands out not only for the brilliant performances from its cast but also because it never overdoes it.

Plot Pot

Yeon Shi-eun (Park Ji-hoon) is a top-of-the-class model student who likes to keep to himself. However, it is not long before he seems to irk the class bully who starts small but slowly builds up to larger schemes to bother Shi-eun. Although Shi-eun remains quiet and stoic to the taunts, one can see his anger simmering beneath the surface. In turn, he uses strategies from his studies in subjects such as physics to defend himself. Although he is mostly a loner, he finds friendship from two other classmates, Ahn Soo-ho (Choi Hyun-wook), a skilled fighter and Oh Beom-seok (Hong Kyung), a new transfer student who has shifted to the new school to escape the bullying from his previous one.

As the show progresses, it delves into each character, especially the main trio. Shi-eun’s mother is an academic lecturer who seems to motivate and isolate him at the same time. He watches her lectures to focus on his studies but at the same, we see him hardly interacting with her in real life. Beom-seok, who has had already been struggling at his previous school, doesn’t find much peace in the new one either. Among such difficulties, all three characters have moments of solidarity. Unfortunately, they get more and more involved in a cycle of violence that seems unescapable.

Weak Hero Class 1 stands out with its striking realism. It does not show a redeeming avenger but rather, flawed characters who often get caught up in the very cycle they are trying to break. South Korea, and the world at large, is no stranger to school violence even in 2022. This K-drama provides an unflinching portrayal.

The phenomenal acting from the cast, especially Park Ji-hoon, strikes a chord with viewers. His nuanced acting, down to his expressions, deliver subtle emotions of the character. As the protagonist, he draws you in to follow him on the journey. Choi Hyun-wook, as his closes friend, is a charismatic character that stands out on his own.

Weak Hero Class 1 may seem to show excessive violence but it keeps from overdoing it or sensationalising it by showing the long-lasting physical, mental, and emotional impact that such experiences can carve. Not only physical health, but also mental health of students gets affected in such violent situations. Weak Hero Class 1 is certainly one of 2022’s best K-dramas in terms of storytelling as well as impact.

Genre:

Thriller, coming-of-age

Where to Watch: Viki

You Will Love it if You Love: Social commentary, Friendship and solidarity, Stoic heroes, School settings

Trigger Warnings: Bullying, violence

TT Rating: 4.5/5