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In ‘Itaewon Class’ Park Seo-joon Defies Injustice And Does Life His Way

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The vivid opening credits of Itaewon Class are a fitting introduction to the rainbow roller coaster ride of emotions viewers may experience in the drama’s first episode.

The drama starts with Kim Da-mi’s character discussing her life with a counselor. She talks about the struggles that young people must face to succeed in Korean society and how it doesn’t seem worth it. Her boss, she says, told her that if she doesn’t like it she can just die. That seems callous, says the counselor, but it only makes Kim Da-mi’s character laugh. Her boss, played by Park Seo-joon, knows full well dying is not an option, but he’s sure you don’t have to buy another person’s definition of success or believe that there is only one way to achieve it.

A flashback to his character’s school years shows it was tough for students even then. With the nation’s high standards for education, Korean students often study from morning to night, hoping to get into the best universities, to eventually vie for top jobs. Park plays Park Sae-ro-yi, a student who is a loner and doesn’t care for rules. Although his teacher tells the students they have no chance of success if they don’t study, Park questions what everyone’s idea of success might mean. He does not want to shape his life to a cookie-cutter definition.

He lives up to his family motto, “never compromise your principles,” even if he hasn’t yet quite figured out exactly what those principles are. One thing he is sure of: you don’t hurt those less fortunate than you. That prompts him to pick a fight with a rich bully on his first day at a new school and that bully is none other than the son of the man his father works for.

Whatever negative ramifications follow, the way Park stands up for his principles is likely to make viewers root for him and also for the father who taught him those principles.

Park Seo-joon has some riveting scenes in this drama, only heightened by the cinematographer’s skill at capturing a dramatic moment. The actor is well known for his abilities as a comedic actor in She’s Pretty and What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? but he’s also a fine dramatic actor, which he amply demonstrates in this drama.

Kwon Na-ra, former member of the girl group Hello Venus, plays Park’s first love, Oh Soo-a. Although her first impression of Park is negative, it’s hard not to eventually admire his stand against injustice. Yet, sold on the straight and narrow path to success, she can’t risk standing up to those in power.

These characters will meet up in the present when Park has become a restaurant owner and at least some of the tables will turn.

Park played a minor role in Bong Joon-ho’s award-winning film Parasite and recently Bong spoke about the stress that Korea’s students face, saying “the young are in despair.” The producers of Itaewon Class have realized another first-class drama character who stands up to injustice and offers his own take on having a successful life.

The drama is based on webcomic Itaewon Class by Jo Gwang-jin which ran from 2016 to 2018.

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