Not a typical high school kdrama!
I was looking forward in watching a psychological/thriller. I must say Extracurricular delivered! It was very eccentric and intriguing. I absolutely loved the character's development.Actor Dong-Hee Kim did an amazing job; portraying his character's 2 sided personality, every time he turned evil I always got goosebumps. As well as him, Park Ju-hyun's acting skills really payed off, her playing as Bae Gyu-ri really stood out, her desperation to escape her parents and the pressure she was under was presented fantasitcally!
The cliffhanger ending fitted well, as it leaves you questioned with what may happen next. Apparently there will be a season 2 coming out in 2023, my hopes are high!
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This review may contain spoilers
Splurge, not rewatchable
Dont get me wrong i hate the male lead aswell and what they were doing, but I'm not gonna lie i think i wouldve LOVED this if it was just focused on him, himself, and whatever he's doing.I hate when they add a female lead, just for the purpose of having a female lead. (Or romantic interest)
And you can not tell me that's not what she was.
They made her manipulative w family problems just so people could sympathize w her, their was so many ways and could've made that money, yet she unsatisfyingly got the money she needed from her parents at the end (pissed me off) after constantly putting the male lead— including others in danger.
Story would've been way better w/o her, i would love to watch him try and get himself out of these situations, and Mr. lee being the one to help w/o knowing that he's his boss.. that would've been fire...
I SHOULD'VE WROTE TS!!
Anyway, on a less personal note, and on a more... "watcher" note... let me yap a bit🥹
Oh Jisoo : At times, i caught myself almost rooting for him when i knew that something was going to go wrong or when he was going to get caught. I think because I sympathized for him— simply because i believed his reasoning was better than Gyu Ri's. he had no one to help him, he was his own adult at such a young age, and he had to make way.. (Is how i saw it at first), but throughout the show, I realized he definitely wasn't much different from Gyu Ri.
He was after money and did everything for money— Just like her. He didn't care when others were gonna get hurt, but only when he was gonna get caught. At the end when Minhee was confronting him and he was crying begging for forgiveness, i genuinely felt for him (jk i called him submissive) but when he found out she recorded it all— before KILLING HER (yes KILLING), he tried to convince her he would turn himself in so she should delete the footage— I thought at first.. "Why would the footage need to be deleted if you're already gonna turn yourself in?" It didn't make sense to me.. then i realized, "HES DOING ALL THAT FOR GYU RI"
Like damn.. I knew he liked her, but ALL OF THIS IS BC OF HER?! The things you do for the girl you love... (even if she constantly manipulates and doesnt respect you)
He stole Minhee's phone while she was on the ground dying— at this point, I realized how badly i misjudged him— took the phone back to his place, packed his bags while smiling thinking hes getting away, then got stabbed by Kwakki or whatever hes called— then saved my Gyu Ri.
Also, why tf did he hire a minor that goes to his literal school?!!
In conclusion: I dont have the words to describe that I dont like him, but I understand him. he's a bltch but im not sure how i feel.
Seo Minhee: I felt so bad for her. She was still a cocky bully, but i couldn't help it.
I dont have much to say about her. she's just her.
But i genuinely believe she has some sort of personality disorder and definitely abandonment issues. (We know she has panic disorder blah blah blah)
A situation that flared me up a bit was when she got fired, went to claim her job "rights," and demanded to be hired back— but it was her fault she got fired. The client was on blacklist, and Mr. Lee was on his day off and she knew that. She did all of this for her psycho boyfriend.
Regardless, that's not my point. Why did she blame "uncle" when Mr. Lee got extremely hurt when she was the one that came that day, then wouldn't leave him Mr. Lee alone, which also caused Jisoo to be kidnapped. (Also, she wasn't even working before she got fired anyway?!)
She blamed everyone but herself for anything she did wrong. She's young, but she isn't incompetent 💔 still love her ❤️🩹
I feel like a part of her consciousness made her feel guilty, which is one of the reasons she stayed with Mr. Lee for so long (Dont sue me. it's just a show)
————
I dont even have a conclusion
This show is confusing to me— well.. I understand it, but i didn't understand why this and why that. Everything felt so slowly fast pased.
Tw: personal opinion
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Review of Extracurricular: A Masterpiece of Moral Ambiguity and Tragic Romance
Extracurricular is one of those rare K-dramas that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Its power lies not only in its gripping story and well-crafted suspense but in the way it challenges viewers’ sense of morality, justice, and empathy. The show masterfully turns traditional narratives on their heads, making us root for characters whose actions are undeniably wrong, even horrifying. It is a dark, unflinching exploration of human nature, trauma, and the desperate lengths people go to for survival and connection.At the heart of the story is Jisoo, a seemingly unremarkable and introverted high school student whose double life is as an operator of an illegal escort business. Watching his journey is both fascinating and deeply unsettling. Early in the series, a moment where Jisoo breaks down and cries simply because someone treats him like a human being immediately evokes sympathy. This moment is critical—it reveals the deep loneliness and dehumanization he has endured. Yet, as the story progresses, we witness a transformation—or perhaps a revealing—of Jisoo’s darker nature. He moves from being a scared, vulnerable boy to orchestrating violent and ruthless decisions. Still, the show keeps him human, making it impossible not to root for him despite the awful things he does. This emotional conflict is where Extracurricular shines: it blurs the line between hero and villain so well that you are forced to confront your own sense of right and wrong.
Gyuri plays a pivotal role in this narrative, not just as a catalyst for Jisoo’s descent but as a complex character in her own right. While some viewers might blame her for “ruining” Jisoo’s life, the truth is far more nuanced. Gyuri’s motivations stem from a desperate desire to escape her troubled home life and regain some control in a chaotic world. Her rebellion and choices reflect deep pain and vulnerability, not malice. She and Jisoo share a messy, intense bond that defies simple categorization. Their relationship is as much about mutual recognition of each other’s brokenness as it is about love. It’s a raw, imperfect romance that fuels much of the show’s emotional tension. Their connection adds layers of tragedy and humanity, reminding us that even in the darkest circumstances, the need for connection remains powerful.
What makes Extracurricular truly exceptional is how it flips perspective. If we watched the story from the victims’ point of view—those exploited, threatened, and harmed—we would undoubtedly wish for justice and hope to see Jisoo and Gyuri face consequences. Yet the show traps us inside the protagonists’ minds, making us sympathize and even root for them. This narrative inversion creates a disturbing but brilliant tension that stays with you. It forces viewers to reckon with uncomfortable truths about empathy and the complexity of human behavior.
The show’s storytelling is complemented by its visual language. The progression from lighter, muted tones to darker, more oppressive scenes mirrors the moral decay and rising tension perfectly. Every frame contributes to the building sense of doom that feels inevitable but heartbreaking.
Finally, the ending of Extracurricular is a masterpiece of ambiguous storytelling. It resists the temptation to offer closure or neat resolutions, instead leaving viewers with haunting uncertainty. The open ending is not lazy writing but a deliberate artistic choice that invites reflection. It asks us to sit with the uncomfortable emotions of the story—the sadness, the loss, and the moral confusion—and to ponder what justice even means in such a broken world.
Although many fans would love a second season, the show’s impact lies in its singular, self-contained story. Extending it might dilute the painful beauty of its unresolved finale. Instead, Extracurricular stands as a tragic, unforgettable exploration of the human condition, where villains have reasons, love is flawed and complicated, and morality is never black and white.
In conclusion, Extracurricular is a haunting drama that challenges viewers to empathize with the unlikeliest of characters, confronts the messy realities behind “villainy,” and delivers a tragic romance that is as heartbreaking as it is authentic. It is a show that will stay with you—challenging your thoughts and emotions long after you finish watching.
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With new spices : Not a fairy tale
This drama got me here because of the actor choi min so from the drama lawless lawyer (LL)! what a great performance again!! You will feel the long lasting impression from him. This drama has a very new unique story, very creative, i would say! I enjoyed every episode with thrilling and suspense. The whole drama was a roller-coaster ride. Director did very well justice to the whole plot. I have watched " live (2018)"before, so I also know how police service cant act rashly on sudden demand in south korea. So its very logical if someone finds the police-involvement is not proactive! The teen are getting corrupted at early age which is inevitable because of the whole social changes around us which is also truly sad. This drama tried to bring up such dark side of the society too. I feel so sad watching kids getting their innocent carefree life totally destroyed, totally robbed off due to social circumstances. Even it is a fictional drama but still it is very applicable in real life, i think. Almost 70% casts are from lawless layer and every casts are totally in different roles with respect to the role they played in LL except Choi. He was bad ass thug as before but made us like him till the end, lol. Love his fighting scenes, damn suits his figure and gesture! Would be lovely if a sequel drama can be produced highlighting the life story of that role.Overall, very impressive production with very very creativeness! After a long time I found a story which is so creative and cleverly written. No copy-paste-edit feeling. An entirely unique story line! Its directed by the same director of LL but LL was kind of " old wine in new but crooked bottle" while this one is brand new in every essence! Just enjoyed every bit of it. Of course, its not a fairy tale with pinkish romance aura, absolutely loved it! Not for weak heart either! Ending is little disappointing but it deserves 10 from me. However, suspense-thriller plots often relatively tend to lose "rewatch-values", cant really help it. Especially when in drama land with so many available dramas, its rare that a drama can earn a place to have a rewatch value 10! May be after 10 years, I can rewatch it again, till then bye! It was really nice to come across to this master piece ;)
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Darker School Drama
An interesting drama which includes discussions on illegal businesses, underage escorts, s*x trafficking, the rights of workers & the need for security. This drama really had me hooked.▹ Jisoo's character
He was presented as a straight A, quiet, shy school boy at the start. Later, it's revealed he runs an illegal security business in the backdrop of his perfect school life. He is different when he is "Uncle" and then when he is Jisoo in school.
▹ Illegal Business
Depending on individual views on escorts, the business Jisoo runs provides security for escorts. The business is illegal and he also allows underage Minhee to use the service. If one is being "equal", "protective" they wouldn't allow underage girls to do this.
▹ Dark but real
It was interesting to see how dark but real the show was. It’s common to see something like this in Asian cities, the motels/compensated dating etc. This drama feels raw and different. Not the typical school drama
▹ Gyuri's impact
People have moaned and said that "it's gyuri's fault". Yes, it is. She took Jisoo's phone but how else did you expect the drama to even start. Something had to go wrong, since they're all high school kids. They don't know any better.
▹ Minhee & PTSD
Her character was always shown to be smart-mouthed and stubborn. Yes, she should have listened to others to not go to the motel that day but she experienced something brutal. She was left traumatised and couldn't work.
▹ Police officer
For some reason, the show wrote the police officer in such an annoying way. Perhaps this was intentional. We are seeing the officer, the way the high school kids are. She did the right things but she was doing them in the wrong ways possible.
▹ Ending
The last 2 episodes were basically game changers like American tv shows and movies. The good turn bad and the bad turn good. I do wonder why they chose to pursue this root instead of sticking with what they had. But, I understand. The shock factor outweighs consistency in this situation.
OVERALL
Really good kdrama, it's not the typical school drama. It's dark and real. It opens up discussions about the dark side of Korea. The underage escorts, the money problems and the need for good parental figures. The last two episodes could have been a bit better in terms of the story and I find that the episodes stand out/ are different in terms of consistency with the rest of the series.
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This review may contain spoilers
I wish there was a second season for this otherwise its such a waste!The character development, the storyline, literally everything is so well done
This show will no doubt have you hooked immediately. So many heartwrenching moments in here and the ending actually shook me to my core ngl, I really wasnt expecting on of the most prominent characters to die but now it left me intrigued and I can't help but wish for more seasons and episodes ;;; please i wish there will be another season!! I also really liked the chemistry between the main characters, I hope their love blossoms if there is gonna be a new season.
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Almost good, but terribly frustrating to watch
The beginning of the first episode had me hooked. Unfortunately, it was a letdown from there.I was hoping for a strong dynamic between two smart leads. But both leads, and their relationship, quickly became annoying. ML enters panick mode and becomes essentially useless as soon as things go wrong. FL is more resourceful, so she essentially becomes ML's babysitter. That could have been cute, but was mostly annoying because of the lack of communication between the two. But mostly, yeah, ML is very hard to like.
On top of that, many of the plot twists rely on totally unbelievable events. The whole thing quickly becomes frustrating to watch, a good plot idea ruined by a writing that is lazy to the point of being insulting to the viewer.
If you enjoyed the first 2 or 3 episodes, then you probably won't regret watching to the end. Be warned, though, that, as other reviews mentioned, the last episode takes the frustration to the next level.
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An Exciting Thriller..
The drama [ Extracurricular ] takes a different aspect from typical school dramas, like a struggling male lead who manages trafficking businesses. It ( his work ) can be troubling at times because things frequently get away from his control and he is unable to deal with his unexpected situations. So, despite the dark atmosphere, the story was well-constructed and captivating to the end.As a kdrama lover I'm not defending bullying, sexual assault, or whatever else they shown in this drama, but what i liked is how the K-drama ( Extracurricular ) subtly unveils the depth of a crime-filled plot with teenage school story line. Let's appreciate that Netflix work brought a different subject theme this time allowing the writer Jin Han-Sae and Director Kim Jin-Min to move away from the common Korean high school storyline, cut off the classic love story element, and brought the crucially dark topics such as school bullying, payed dating, online sex work, and a variety of other issues navigating young adolescents in today's online world..
You will most certainly feel a wide range of emotions from sadness to love to frustration to anger to excitement through the main characters. And those emotions help add what can be an incredibly enlightening view of today’s youth and crime.
Kim Dong Hee is a brilliant actor and one of the young korean talents, After receiving prominent status for his supporting parts in the two biggest dramas, Kim Dong Hee jumps into leading roles & conveys an emotionally intense performance that will leave us question ourselves what you stand for at the end of the drama, Park Joo Hyun another talented young actress, no word how to appreciate her work, A Perfectionist. She really gave her 10/10 performance here, Portraying raw emotions with parental pressure and like a deep hurting inside daughter she perfectly played her role. Jung Da Bin did an excellent job giving her character depth.
Both ScreenWriter & Director were given a good thriller by showing the School Bullying, harassment, social norms, and parental pressure are all aspects of the life of a high school student in South Korea.
Cinematography and Soundtrack two are top quality that they capture us into a thriller mood.
Still waiting for season 02..
I enjoyed the drama and thanks to the Kdrama Judge who was given[ recommendation ] to me one of the best Kdramas. If you’re looking for an exploration in Korean highschool thriller with an engaging plot then this is definitely a must-watch..
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It is about a typical intelligent boy who has monetary issues and who secretly has an illegal business. Things get super complicated when a rich girl comes into his life.
I liked the adrenaline and that Bae Gyu Ri wanted some action in her life, something to change and so she puts in movement all of the story. There were always something happening and this drama didn't bore me one bit. It also accentuates the hard life of teenagers.
I liked the relationship between Min Hee and Mr. Lee because it reminded me of a protective father-troubled daughter one. And the main leads had wonderful chemistry.
This is not an easy watch and it's a very sad drama, but it is a must-watch. It has a nostalgic feel to it.
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Best drama i’ve ever watched
Extracurricular is beautiful- i could rewatch this for days. It perfectly encompasses a dark concept without being overly gory and conveys an edging romantic plot without making everything about romance. Extracurricular is fascinating- the plot is constantly interesting and i remember every moment vividly, and the duality of a school but crime and dark genre will always be my favourite combination. I watched this a year ago and rewatched a couple of months ago, but i came back here specifically to write a review just to help people experience the joy i did when watching this. Also kim dong hee come back pls i miss uWas this review helpful to you?
A Thrilling, Dark Ride That Grips From the Start
From the very first episode, Extracurricular doesn’t ease you in — it throws you straight into danger. What starts as a quiet student’s secret life quickly spirals into a tense, morally chaotic thriller where every decision feels explosive.The real shock? The relatively new leads deliver performances so convincing that you forget you’re watching actors. You’re not just observing the story — you’re trapped inside it. There’s no clear hero, no pure villain. You stop asking who’s right or wrong and start holding your breath to see who survives the consequences.
This isn’t a slow burn. It’s a constant surge of tension, curiosity, and anxiety — easily one of the most adrenaline-charged K-dramas out there.
Watch it if you want: intensity, moral grey zones, and edge-of-your-seat storytelling.
Avoid it if you prefer: light, comforting dramas.
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What I liked about this is you're always waiting for what might happen next. Some scenes were a shocker. The grittiness makes it feel different from your usual kdrama.
What made it weird was how some decisions the characters make doesn't sit right with you. For example, I didn't really like the FL at first. But I slowly got accustomed to her and some things made me like her more. (She be really pretty though). Currently waiting for season 2 cause the ending was wow.
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