erica
This review may contain spoilers
Promising start, Lame Story. Problematic OTP
Itaewon Class started on a promising note but degenerated into a lame story with problematic OTP. Initial episodes were good. I was solidly behind Sae Ro Yi’s quest for justice . The crew he assembled was interesting.
Early warning signals:
- I didn’t care for the OTPs. I was indifferent to Soo Ah after she joined forces with Janga. I liked
Yi Seo ‘s sharp acumen but felt let down when she started being clingy to Sae Ro Yi.
- the hero - Sae Ro Yi was becoming bland. With a singular expression and singular hairstyle. After his pain in the early episodes, now it seems nothing fazed him. I can’t relate to him.
Still I labored on. But at episodes 10-14, I can no longer ignore the obvious:
STORY IS LAME:
It resorted to improbable plot devices like a passable cook winning national champion, a fairy grandma storyline, a chaebol heir so stupid he boasted his own murder to a near stranger, and successive car hits.
But the biggest weakness of the writing is absence of believable transitions. There is a cartoonish stubbornness displayed by the characters - just like Sae Ro Yi’s unchanging hair - but then bang! - they make an abrupt switch. The audience isn’t brought along in the journey. Examples:
- The unquestioning loyalty of Sae Ro Yi (ML) to his original love was caricaturish . A normal person would at least be hurt when Soo Ah joined hands with his father’s killer. But no, he’s such a saint, he accepted readily as if his love was simply choosing a red lipstick. Ok no matter. After the time skip he continues to be unwavering .....then bang! abruptly realised he’s in love with another person all along. What nonsense.
- The younger brother renouncing his family connection. He didn’t seem conflicted at all. Then bang! - one day he crossed over to the dark side. Ok.
- A badass sociopath female who became super clingy. Which brings me to...
PROBLEMATIC OTP:
Yi Seo repeatedly saying “I love you” to Sae Ro Yi. SRY firmly declining and saying no, no, no. Then on ep 14 (with a few token flashback), makes an unconvincing about face. He’s in love with Yi Seo all along! (Umm, which part of no, no, no did we miss?) At best, this OTP is cringey. A bigger issue is the screenwriter applauding borderline harassment behaviour and finding it lovable.
The only progressive element is diversity inclusion.
With the help of FFWD button, I did finish it. I enjoyed Park Bo Gum’s cameo, otherwise ending is predictable. And as for the hero? Sae Ro Yi is now hooked up with the clingy female but continues to be as preachy as ever.
Early warning signals:
- I didn’t care for the OTPs. I was indifferent to Soo Ah after she joined forces with Janga. I liked
Yi Seo ‘s sharp acumen but felt let down when she started being clingy to Sae Ro Yi.
- the hero - Sae Ro Yi was becoming bland. With a singular expression and singular hairstyle. After his pain in the early episodes, now it seems nothing fazed him. I can’t relate to him.
Still I labored on. But at episodes 10-14, I can no longer ignore the obvious:
STORY IS LAME:
It resorted to improbable plot devices like a passable cook winning national champion, a fairy grandma storyline, a chaebol heir so stupid he boasted his own murder to a near stranger, and successive car hits.
But the biggest weakness of the writing is absence of believable transitions. There is a cartoonish stubbornness displayed by the characters - just like Sae Ro Yi’s unchanging hair - but then bang! - they make an abrupt switch. The audience isn’t brought along in the journey. Examples:
- The unquestioning loyalty of Sae Ro Yi (ML) to his original love was caricaturish . A normal person would at least be hurt when Soo Ah joined hands with his father’s killer. But no, he’s such a saint, he accepted readily as if his love was simply choosing a red lipstick. Ok no matter. After the time skip he continues to be unwavering .....then bang! abruptly realised he’s in love with another person all along. What nonsense.
- The younger brother renouncing his family connection. He didn’t seem conflicted at all. Then bang! - one day he crossed over to the dark side. Ok.
- A badass sociopath female who became super clingy. Which brings me to...
PROBLEMATIC OTP:
Yi Seo repeatedly saying “I love you” to Sae Ro Yi. SRY firmly declining and saying no, no, no. Then on ep 14 (with a few token flashback), makes an unconvincing about face. He’s in love with Yi Seo all along! (Umm, which part of no, no, no did we miss?) At best, this OTP is cringey. A bigger issue is the screenwriter applauding borderline harassment behaviour and finding it lovable.
The only progressive element is diversity inclusion.
With the help of FFWD button, I did finish it. I enjoyed Park Bo Gum’s cameo, otherwise ending is predictable. And as for the hero? Sae Ro Yi is now hooked up with the clingy female but continues to be as preachy as ever.
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