Short Pill: Full Review Coming.
Itaewon Class (2020) A-
The SHORT Pill:
An emotionally investing drama, set in Itaewon, an upcoming neighborhood in Seoul, that brings together a group of people, as unique as the area. And with like-minded people, Itaewon shows just far patience, and a good plan, can take you in completing your mission. Whether it be patience in vengeance or patience in love, with an amalgamation of fearlessness, and endearing humility, this drama proves that tribulations might bend you, but will NEVER break you. These characters are definitely in a class of their own!
The Pharma 5 Watch Guide!
Best Time To Watch:
Start Early, or at least in the afternoon. The first two episodes build rather slowly as the plot sets up, but moves full speed ahead starting episode 3.
Prescribed For:
This is tricky. I question whether newbies will understand enough to appreciate, and I wonder if veterans will have the patience to get through some of the script and character choices. So I will say, to each its own. Just know that you should have patience when viewing.
Love And Romance:
The first love story in this show isn’t between a boy and a girl. The first form of love that we see, besides the consideration for the disenfranchised, is that between a Father and his Son. And it is beautiful. Seriously, it’s beautiful. Later on, a one-sided friendship of protection, develops into something that deserves an invitation for further consideration.
Classic Clichés:
Classic underdog story, David goes against Goliath, as you root for him to slay all of the demons in his way. Full Kdrama “School Bully” to corporate bully, Trope, weaves its way through the plot.
Addiction Level:
3.5 Pills: Highly Addictive! You know you’re tired but you just can’t turn it off.
Fill Your PRESCRIPTIONS Here!
Original Network:
jTBC/Netflix
Places To Watch:
Netflix
Episode Count:
16
The LONG PILL:
Midway through the first episode, I knew that I had made the right decision. My interest revved up and my focus was laser sharp. There’s nothing that I love more than a good “David & Goliath” tale where the humble underdog helps his hopeless peers survive against relentless bullies who’ve made a career of torment and humiliation. That ‘David’ was our lovely Park Seo-Joon, who played male lead, Park Sa Ro Yi, who endured a lot of loss, but never lost his fighting spirit, or hunger for all things fair and just.
You learn early on that this is a story of revenge. And you’re in on it, rooting until the end, hoping for a satisfactory judgment to make sense of all of the hardships dealt throughout the series. Some dramas take many episodes before adversarial characters are revealed, and some start out immediately, leaving you to hang on from beginning to end, as you await the villains’ inevitable doom. This is the latter. And you will have to wait. But that only makes revenge sweeter in the end, doesn’t it?
Uhhhh, maybe.
Enter Jo Yi-seo, played by the extraordinary Kim Da-Mi. If ever there was a breakout star of 2020, it was she. What she brought to her character, and the drama, was exciting, fresh, and downright kick-ass. She was vengeance, strength, and strategy, all in one. It took more time that I had wished for Park Sa-Ro-yi to realize that he needed her, because he did. She was such an important piece of his puzzle and his plot. She had just enough grit, with a devil-may-care attitude, and the confidence to back it up.
Fun Fact: Kim Da-Mi’s character is a Capricorn, and it’s important to know that. She’s everything that we’ve been taught to hate: fiery, back-stabbing, over-ambitious, and a winner at all costs – even if it’s ugly. But she was NECESSARY and this story needed someone like her to stay by Sa Ro Yi’s side. If this was the Game of Thrones, she would definitely be the Arya Stark of this storyline.
I would definitely say that the theme of this drama was definitely Inclusivity. Revenge aside, this was a story of friendships made with outcasts, and a shepherd who cared enough to glue them together as one. They may not have been in the highest social class, but they did a great job of creating a class of their own: The Itaewon Class!
Now, don’t get me wrong, as much as I loved this drama, it was also very FRUSTRATING to watch as well. It takes a lot of patience, control, and heavy breathing to get through parts that make you want to punch the TV, as you say to yourself, “This will all work out in the end, I’m sure.”
Moments...
CASTING CALL:
Get a Daily Dose!
MAIN INGREDIENTS:
ALL DONE? WHAT FUN!
Exam Results:
A-
This drama is Love at First sight… but like all love relationships, there comes a time when familiarity sets in and your partner can get a bit annoying. You don’t love them any less, you just realize that they aren’t perfect,and you accept them anyway. This drama has things that I would love to have been changed or written differently… but it is what it is, and if nothing else, we’ll always have that love at first sight that I felt in the beginning.
Side Effects:
Highly Frustrating! As much as you love the characters and root for them, some of the choices can upset you enough to pull your hair out.
Recommended Follow-up:
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Short Pill: Full Review Coming.
Short Pill: Don't pass this by! It is VERY funny. The virgin ghost who takes over a body is as funny as the body who gets possessed. Great job by both!
Short Pill: Full Review Coming.