There's so much going on

This show started off very strong for me. It hooked me instantly and i was drawn in by the different twists it had. But eventually, i noticed that the twists were way too much. The issue became "can I trust what the show is telling me?" simply because people died just to come back to life, people weren't who you thought they were, characters with memory loss, there was an ending but it wasn't the real ending. It was a lot. It was so much, that I went from watching every single day to at the last 4 episodes, i stopped watching it for 2 weeks. Every time I thought about finishing it, it felt like a chore because I knew I would spend the next four hours watching a show that I wouldn't be able to trust until the last 15 minutes of the last episode....which is exactly what happened. The last four hours is filled with information you don't need because it's essentially negated/overruled in the last 15 minutes.

This isn't to say it's a bad show, because it's not. It's just A LOT. Surprisingly, with all the different storyline changes, it wasn't hard to follow. The writing is done very well. Unfortunately, the amount of twists was the problem. The twists made sense, but there were just too many. Another thing is because of the amount of twists, I didn't really get to see why kang chul liked/loved oh yeon joo. I didn't get it. They barely had time together that was meaningful. Most of it was her slapping him, then them being on the run, or their lives were threatened (don't forget he also lost his memories of their time together). Also, he never outright called her pretty. He never fully compliments her. It made me feel like he didn't really like her. He even asked his bodyguard if she was considered pretty because he himself didn't know. I get it's supposed to be a joke, but he's also supposed to be the guy who risked his life to save her. He can do all that, but draws the line at considering her beautiful??

At the end, because of the different rules and variables put in place, there seemed to be an easier ending. But of course, all the characters had to overlook it for the sake of plot. In all, there were very many tropes thrown into one show. and though they were executed well, it was just far too many to make the ending satisfying. instead of being sad it's over, i'm upset it didn't happen sooner.

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So impactful, easy to fall in love with it.

This drama could've been terrible. It could've been uncomfortable and tasteless. But it wasn't. It was endearing, emotional, intense, and heartfelt. There was a very thin line around the appropriateness of it, but what they accomplished with the writing , acting, and overall storytelling is a beautiful example of an innocent crush blooming into first love. I loved the way they handled such a delicate topic. At no point did it ever feel inappropriate or cringey. It just felt real. The ML's acting was phenomenal. I truly felt he loved the FL. It was so convincing, I couldn't have even imagined who else the MCs could've ended up with. It felt destined and they did a great job portraying that. This drama takes a special place in my heart. I will watch it many times over.

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Could not be any more perfect.

This show could NOT be any more perfect! I was obsessed form the first episode I watched. I saw this on my netflix for a while and always skipped past it, but it was on my list. I finally gave it a try and I am soooo happy I did. This show was so heartfelt, romantic, stressful, suspenseful, and enchanting.

THE ACTING/CAST:
Ri Jeong Hyeok/Hyun Bin: He was sooo great at portraying a cold, yet secretly soft hearted soldier who only needed the right person to open him up. The portrayal of RJH was so human and emotional. I really believed him to be someone who swore himself to fulfill his duty and somehow was able to slowly open himself up to taking risks in order to protect the woman he fell in love with. I love the character's writing because 1st Episode RJH vs last episode RJH are night and day. He still holds the traits that matter, but allows himself to put everything on the line for Yoon Se-ri. It was completely believable. And then to find out the Main Characters are married in real life now....makes complete sense. Even during the show, you can truly feel how much Se-ri was LOVED by him. Amazing chemistry.

Yoon Se-ri/Son Ye-Jin: She was so funny and charismatic portraying a picky princess heir - who in her own way found it hard to connect with her relationship partners and family until she "crash lands" into the arms of RJH, a man who is ceaseless in his protection and adoration of her. I love that you can see how much they soften to each other as the series progresses. Because of the writing, 1st episode YSR is different from last episode YSR. At the end, we find that she allows people in, she knows how to cut off those that backstab her and take her for granted. In the show she says she likes to "return the energy" she receives. And this is who she is throughout the show. At every stage, she reflects her treatment to the others she interacts with. She was protected by RHJ? She protects him. Cho Choel Gang attacks her with a gang? She hires thugs as well! I love that she isn't helpless and she's proactive with her love and hate.

Supporting Cast: I absolutely LOVED the four soldiers!! They felt like they were truly friends and in the show, they became YSR's brothers to replace the ones who were terrible to her. Like, I really felt for them and wanted them to do well in life even though it's a tv show. I really cared for them. They were so human and easy to like. Great casting and writing for them as well, as each of them had a distinct personality that was believable!

Cho Cheol Gang: Ugh! I hated him so much! He was just so evil and the actor was fantastic! What happened to him felt so justified and i loved that they didn't try to "arrest" him again, but sought to make his ending final.

Seo Dan/Gu Seong Jun: I felt really bad for Seo Dan because she wasn't a bad girl, she just wanted to be loved. The man she loved didn't want her, and when she opened herself to someone else - GSJ, he died in front of her. My heart breaks for her because she deserved more i think. But I like that she was able to be happy by herself in the end. That was a good choice. I liked GSJ's development, as he went from conning and scamming to helping out the sister of the man he scammed and risking his life for SD. That was good growth.

Ensemble: Everyone was just so good! I have no complaints at all.

WRITING:
Everything was so intentionally written! I loved the STRONG MALE LEAD coupled with a STRONG FEMALE LEAD. They both had strong personalities and were still able to compliment each other without weakening the other. The themes of family and belonging were strong and i believe the adherence to this theme was such a good choice. The stakes were so high and I was honestly worried about the characters! I was worried for their safety throughout and the crying and emotional moments were so pure and real. There were so many LAYERS to their love story that it truly felt like fate was pulling them together. This is hard to make believable but they accomplished this well in the show.

I would watch this over and over just to see how they fall in love and begin to open up to each other. I would love to rewatch the soldiers become family to RJH and YSR. The part where everyone went to Seoul was so funny!

A + show, so very good. no notes, this was a perfect show.

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This Changed my Perspective on Life

This show has changed my perspective on life. Never have I watched a show and felt truly changed after watching it, but Itaewon Class achieved that for me. Yes, this story is about revenge, but it's more than that, it's a story about a guy who has a goal and believes in it so strongly, that he will do anything in his power to achieve it. And while this premise is expected of a revenge tale, he works toward his goal by creating strong bonds of trust, friendship, reliability, and a sprinkle of stubbornness.

He is able to build and care for a community of friends who gather around him and support him because he returns the same care and consideration to them. He aspires for them to be better while also trusting their competence to improve. He recognizes a value in people who would otherwise be outcasted. And in that recognition, he is set so far apart from character leads in other K Dramas, and in TV in general.

He not once deviates from his ideals, values, and core essence. He, as a character is written to be very strong and focused. And Park Seo-Joon's portrayal is powerful, emotional, and real. He even inspires me to want to believe in him. I've watched so many revenge plot shows and I have never wanted a character to win as badly as I wanted him to. You can clearly tell he is a genuine character who deserves the validation of overcoming an enemy who did nothing but attempt to destroy his life. The pain he endured repeatedly was layered throughout and built up to a satisfying turning point for Sae-ro-yi in the 15th episode. The portrayal of Park Sae-ro-yi was heartfelt, emotional, and quite inspiring. That he was willing to study his opponent's success, compliment his rival's competency, and even show respect under fire...Park Sae-ro-yi is a world-class character with a heart of gold.

Jo Yi-Seo is another character who captured my heart. She stood for Sae-ro-yi from the moment she liked him and became such a great advocate for the ML and the people he loved. I loved her growth, her change from being a rude sociopath to a rude, but lovable manager. Her strength is in the love that she allows to completely change her and inspire her to improve the world around her. Her world, being DanBum pub, with Sae-ro-yi and the rest. She's an unforgettable character.

The cast works very together, great chemistry all around. The acting was convincing as well. I often found myself stressed, worried about what would happen next!

This is my first review I've left, but this show moved me so much, I needed to write this. I want to see more kdramas follow in their footsteps. .

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