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YAY another frustrating piece woohoo
Basically, this drama feels like another version of love alarm: there was potential for this to be good, but the writing was so poorly done, the characters' choices and consequences don't make any sense. The love pentagon thing that occurs is terrible cause it feels like a bunch of elementary schoolers trying to "love." Kang Ha falls in love with jae i, which I guess is fine, but when he finds out that SHE LITERALLY DIDN'T PROTECT HIS BROTHER FROM BULLYING unfazed him is illogical. How can jae i still love ri an when he is abusive and elitist when she doesn't have the same values as him? Why does he ra love u jin? Why does he ra love ri an? What's the motivation behind ju won? All of these questions go unanswered and the plot essentially crashes out. The actors portray their characters decently with what they were given, but the hate is warranted. Please don't watch this drama and find something else lmao. Couldn't finish itWas this review helpful to you?
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Descent acting but the plot felt forced by not so smooth plot developpement
it started with promising outcome, but I feel like the "crime, mystery" part got lost in the "romance" part...a bit too much. It felt like forcing "love" emotions into a script about someone getting killed...or vice versa? it wasn't the best drama but it also wasn't the worst imo. I was expecting a bit more of suspense x mystery but 50%+ of the episodes are about the rich kids bullying the poor kids and the adults being useless. The character developpement was poorly done imo. In all, it was Hera who I ended up liking more because she actually did have a character developpement that made sense. The others got lost into a useless love triangle...this was what f*cked up the plot imo. It was really pointless...and it took A LOT of space whilst In Han's tragic death –which I thought was the point of the story at first– took a good whole 15-20 minutes of screentime lol they kept showing the same scenes for most episodes about him getting hit by a car and his brother, Kang Ha, was getting no where during his so called "investigation". It was just him fighting with the rich and ending up getting beaten...like...idk who so say this 7 episodes made no sense BUT couldve make sense if not for that useless love triangle. so many unresolved issues...gave it a 4.5/5
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DONT PISS ME OFF
The show was trying to do a lot, but somehow kinda delivered nothing. There was an obvious plot, but somehow you are still a little lost. You're still wondering what the hell was going on and what it was trying to tell you. Aside from that I think my biggest grievance with this show was actually Kim Ri An. His inability to exist outside of Jae-I pissed me off. You can love your girlfriend. Heck even be obsessed with her, but still have a life outside of your partner. Like STAND UP. The fact that he enabled the abuse of someone because they got close to his girlfriend; oh that’s just terrible. And more than anything, I wish Kang Ha happiness that spans across infinity. He’s so precious to me. Aside from all that, the cast were so pretty, cinematography was great, the music was good, but overall I do think this was a watered down version of things we’ve seen before.Was this review helpful to you?
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had me at first, then lost me
The first few episodes were captivating. The sense of mystery and a dark plot lured me but then the horrible ending and outcome blew everything down that the previous episodes had built. I say I enjoyed the show from episodes 1-3. 4-7, lost me.Kang Ha, the ML, comes to the school for revenge and then gets attached to a girl for absolutely no reason and ends up messing up the whole epic revenge we were all waiting for. There’s no reason for him to fall in love with Jae-i, friends is all they could’ve been. Their chemistry was weak and dare I even say he loved her? It was pure attachment at its finest.
This show does depict the difference between attachment and love. Ri-an truly did love Jae-i and would undoubtedly do anything for her. She’s truly happy with him and did what she thought would protect him. On the other hand, Kang Ha comes out of nowhere and believes he can top years of trust and love Jae-i had with Ri-an.
I thought this would be an epic revenge delivery story, but the romance ruined it. The romance didn’t even take place, which I won’t complain about because Jae-i’s true love is definitely Ri-an but the show wasted limited episodes on telling this story of “romance” when the view could’ve been on revenge.
The only character who was tolerable was He-ra. She did do inexcusable things, but she still knows right from wrong.
- Slapped Jae-i’s brother for filming such an inappropriate video
- Got upset at Woojin for going to Jae-i’s dad and resulting in her getting sent overseas
Additionally, He-ra was the only character I genuinely felt bad for. Her dad’s company went under and I could feel what she was feeling through the screen.
Moving on, the cliffhanger left us with some questions. I don’t feel the need for a season 2 but if one is made, it could possibly redeem the whole show. Questiosn were left unanswered.
- Is Kang Ha a chaebol?
- This new principal, what is she about?
- Is this principal related to Kang Ha somehow?
- Who was murdered at the end?
- Why was Kang Ha not wearing a tie at the end?
Overall, this was a small mess. It wasn’t horrible, but it was disappointing.
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we have seen multiple bullying focused kdramas over they years, many of them having a uniqueness to them. even this year there was pyramid game, which was very different from usual ones and handled bullying with more care. the only thing unique about this drama was its budget.the revenge, bullying and romance didn't feel like it held weight. all the plot twists except for the murderer reveal were boring. i thought we all assumed they were brothers. it also didn't make sense for kangha to fall in love with jaei so fast (that too for no reason).
we can see that they intend for a 2nd season and where they are going with it but it would have worked better if they didn't tell that kangha was inha's brother. they should have made this season about the core 4 rich kids and their love and friendship. if this season had focused more on romance and then kangha coming in the middle innocently it would have been great. the previous scholarship student should have been just a passing thought.it would have set up for a more interesting 2nd season if the audience didn't know kangha's personal reasons for revenge. i think there might be love triangle in the next season
the romance felt rushed but it had potential to be great. the acting was not bad like all the social media commentary. im glad that these actors are getting main roles after seeing them be side characters. we need more hera and ujin romance pls
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So many missed opportunities
I know a lot of people said watching this was a chore but I binged it all in one sitting. I think that's because I kept wishing it'd give me a good twist and it never happened. There were so many missed opportunities. I was glad at first that they didn't make Ri-an the predictable killer or In-han wasn't the predictable baby's father, but then give me something else ? I was like "ooh so Jae-i is the real villain then, right?" Wrong. It could have been so interesting and a fresh twist but nah.Was this review helpful to you?
This drama was a huge disappointment
Okay, look, I’m so mad that I’m writing this review. The first two episodes were fine, but after the third, it became terrible and boring. The trailer promised a lot, but the series failed to deliver. The main actors are good-looking, but the story lacked a substantial plot. Important scenes were incomplete or poorly explained, leading to a confusing and unsatisfying conclusion. Even the love triangle felt forced. The pacing was inconsistent, with mundane events and rushed resolutions. Overall, a huge disappointment. Save yourself the frustration.Was this review helpful to you?
Hierarchy: A Letdown
"Hierarchy" contains familiar K-drama elements: relentless bullying, unsolved murder, ultra-rich high school students, a poor student seeking revenge, drug and power abuse, and inattentive parents, similar to "Penthouse," "Sky Castle," and "Revenge of Others." However, it disappoints on multiple fronts. The story starts slow and only gains pace in the last two episodes, where the rushed and lackluster revenge plot finally begins. The ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving viewers with a sense of missed potential.The characters are underdeveloped, making it hard to invest in their journeys. Despite a talented cast and high production values, the drama's exploration of heavy themes remains superficial, used more as plot devices than for serious commentary.
Nonetheless, I liked the male leads acting. If I could complete the drama it was because of them.
Overall, "Hierarchy" squanders its promising premise, failing to deliver a compelling or engaging narrative, and ends up being a waste of time for viewers expecting a gripping drama.
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who done it mystery
Slow and dragging with story and characters.School full of moral decay
Good cematroghpy.Flim crew gets a plus.
Spoiler
who gets bumped off in the credits , Moss? A poor attempt to revive it for season 2
The really wasn't a love triangle. The heroine did seem to still love her first love, though the script did put a couple of holes there. but overall she did seem to stay true to her first love. I'm ok with that.
The brother you wanted to wind up with someone better. But in the ending credits the story twists there too. Not really believable for his character.
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Visually pleasing, but the rest made zero sense
You wouldn't believe how excited I was after looking at the cast and watching the trailer. I really had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, the only things I liked were the vibes and aesthetics. The story made no sense, the characters made no sense, the flow of the show made no sense. The whole drama felt pointless. It looked cool enough for me to finish it and I like the main cast from other dramas, but this frustrated me a lot. If you want to turn off your brain completely to watch rich people nonsense and impressive glamorous high school parties, and don't mind the characters not having much personality, I'd say go ahead. Otherwise, you wouldn't miss much and it that's really disappointing for me.Was this review helpful to you?
In the Hierarchy of kdramas this will not have a memorable spot !
I mean who didn't sign up for the eye candies and tbh we all know we loved it somewhere ....then the thinking brain comes into play and maybe just maybe ruins your watch experience because well -- we all need a plot ( and it can't be just hot oppas) !The plot was all over the place or maybe non existent-- we can say a highly westernized drama like elite gets a kdrama touch and again Netflix saves the day with it's visual appeal but for how long will they dwell on such script-less dramas !?
story -- just like always we have a teen drama where everyone is pretending to be an adult ! -- a rich lifestyle and parties traded with mental health and freedom and there comes a variable -- a literally poor one this time ! it's not a revenge story of a poor puppy in the realm of rich brats knocking them down it's a damsel in distress romance and by the end very much a "MORAL SCIENCE " lecture !
So let me tell you my expectations with this and then we'll progress to how disappointed I was with this !
I was looking forward to having a visually stunning and planned nerve-racking revenge plot that will go down in the books-- a romance that shatters the foundation of this well build school and all it's riches !
but in turn --
This show stands out as a perfect example of DO NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER ! -- while in the initial stages the show is very promising of all your expectations it falls flat on it's face by the end ! -- the mystery the villains the chemistry the storyline everything !
I would have appreciated if background for characters was explored in depth-- like he's not just the always happy guy , she's not the always untouchable queen and the perfect prince or so and so ! - i wanted to know them for who they are and not just what the world knows of them it kind of weakened their role and made them superficial !
What I liked -- the actors ! -- all of them give their best ! all the eye candies perfectly in place even to the side characters !
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE -- (oh hell we have a list) --
THE CONFUSION -- They should tell me who do I root for, the writers themselves got confused mid way about their final ship !
THE FRIENDSHIP -- either shallow or deep -- there's not supposed to be an in-between -- cuz there is no in-between !
THE VILLAINS -- even tho i was disappointed by the story -- their acting disappointed me even more !
THE REVEALS -- even if there was a strong build up that had my attention -- they revealed it in the dumbest and most convenient way possible !
THE MOTIVES -- it was just so weird for everything to be that predictable and illogical by all means !
THE TEENS -- man never for a moment they behaved their age (and i don't mean the parties !)
THE END -- They did not have to have me so uninterested in the ending and make it so over the top !
THE MAIN CHARACTERS -- (I'll put it in a spoiler tag comment )!
Overall this is the drama that you normally dote on -- if western, so i can't say I am disappointed but then if you are a kdrama fan then you don't look forward to western touch I mean I would love more netflix productions and high budget hyped shows with the most amazing cinematography but ones that do have substance !
Please watch it -- do not look for a plot -- just enjoy the ride you have in front of you -- do not get your hopes up due to initial eps ...I am hoping you'll love it if you follow this !!!
my fav line --
"I want to protect him even if it means to give up all I have - I want to protect him because he's all I have" !
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A Bland Blend of High School Drama and Unfulfilled Revenge
"Hierarchy" initially promises an intriguing blend of mystery, high school drama, and intricate character dynamics but ultimately falls short of its potential. The series struggles with pacing issues, lackluster character development, and a revenge plot that never fully comes to fruition.One of the most significant issues with this drama is its inability to establish a clear identity. It attempts to blend elements from popular series like "Elite" with traditional kdrama tropes, but the execution is inconsistent. The show's tone oscillates between dark, gritty drama and lighter, more conventional high school scenes, creating a jarring viewing experience.
The central revenge plot, which could have been the driving force of the series, takes a backseat to less compelling storylines. Kang Ha's quest to uncover the truth behind his brother In-han's death is diluted by subplots involving superficial high school romances and power struggles that lack depth. Instead of focusing on the core mystery and building tension around it, the series meanders through trivial conflicts and repetitive interactions.
Character development is another area where this drama falters. The main leads, particularly Kang Ha and Jae-i, fail to evoke empathy or investment from the audience. Kang Ha, despite being positioned as the protagonist, is bland and one dimensional. His motivations are unclear, and his actions often feel inconsistent with his character. Jae-i, who is supposed to be a complex, conflicted figure, comes across as cold and detached. Her chemistry with Kang Ha is almost nonexistent, making their romantic scenes awkward and unconvincing.
Ri-an, another central character, shows some growth over the series, but his arc is not enough to salvage the show. His character's transformation from a typical bad boy to someone seeking redemption is poorly executed, and the final episodes' attempt to humanize him feels rushed and unearned. He-ra, on the other hand, stands out slightly better due to her strong performance, but even her character suffers from inconsistent writing and a lack of clear direction.
The supporting characters, who could have added layers to the narrative, are underutilized and poorly fleshed out. They serve more as plot devices than as integral parts of the story. This lack of depth makes it difficult to care about their fates or understand their motivations.
The show's pacing is another major flaw. The episodes are often padded with unnecessary scenes that do little to advance the plot or develop the characters. Key revelations and twists are either shown too early or dropped without sufficient buildup, resulting in a lack of suspense and engagement.
Visually, this drama has some redeeming qualities. The cinematography and production design are polished, capturing the opulence of Jooshin High and its surroundings effectively. However, good visuals alone cannot compensate for the weak narrative and character flaws.
The final episode attempts to wrap up the numerous plot threads but ends up feeling anticlimactic. The revelation of the true events behind In-han's death is predictable and lacks impact. The post-credit scene, intended as a cliffhanger, feels more like a desperate attempt to hook viewers for a potential second season rather than a satisfying conclusion to the story.
Overall, "Hierarchy" is a disappointing series that fails to capitalize on its intriguing premise. The acting, especially from the main leads, is subpar, and the writing does not do justice to the complex themes it tries to explore. With unlikable characters, a sidelined revenge plot, and inconsistent pacing, the series does not offer enough to make viewers care about the outcome.
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