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Did I just not get this show at all?
This might be a kind of critical and morals centered review, but there’s just way too many things wrong with this drama (at least in my opinion).Knew it was supposed to be violent; didn't imagine how unnecessarily violent it was actually going to be. I lost count of how many people (/almost) died. Ambiguous ending which I don't particularly enjoy. Normalized underage prostitution??? This just immediately ruined it for me, although I decided to finish it to see how the topic was handled. Ended up extremely disappointed.
I did considered giving it a higher rate because the overall filming and editing styles are really interesting/‘cool’, but there’s just too much wrong with the plot, so I couldn’t bring myself up to do it (I did actually plan on rating it a 0, but you’re not allowed to lol).
Still, I have come across a tiktok about this drama and everyone was praising it in the comments, so I do wonder whether I did not get it or whether people just do not gaf about everything wrong with it.
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TO STRESSFUL AND WAS NOT WORTH IT
I was expecting so much more, and in the end it was just an stressful experience. At first I just felt sorry for the male lead, but in the end I just want everyone to end up in jail.But the acting and direction was really good, the real problem was the plot and characters.
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oooo ooo oo ooo o oo oo o o o o o oo o o o o o o oo o o o o o o oo o o o o oo o o o o o o oo o o o oo o o o oo o oo o. o o o oo
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A true crime masterpiece.
THINGS I LIKED(+) Unique story with non-cliche scenes or tropes
(+) Great acting
(+) Dark and true crime concept (this may be a negative for some people)
(+) Complex characters and development
(+) One of the few dramas I would compliment on a great ending
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE
(-) It felt a bit slow during 1-2 intermediate episodes (this is very minor)
REVIEW
Where do we begin? This series takes you on a journey. If you are a fan of true crime and don't mind a darker concept, Extracurricular is one to watch out for. The main characters we follow in this drama are designed beautifully complex and believable - particularly our mini Bonnie and Clyde leads, that is, Oh Jisoo and Bae Gyu Ri.
The synopsis kicks off with a slightly confusing first episode. For a long while, I wasn't clear of the illegal activity being engaged as well as understanding GyuRi's character and motivations. However, once you reach the third episode, the plot really starts to pick up and you can just sense some major storm foreshadowing your way. This story is written and executed really well with minimum downtime or fillers. Expect to feel more and more tense after each episode as this plot takes our characters down the rabbit hole further and deeper.
This is a story about two high schoolers whose background and life experiences had driven them to enact illegal crimes. They are not the people we should root for in reality but we somehow want them to succeed in this drama so very badly. In terms of romance, it's quite subtle for a kdrama but in this case, I find this approach to be very fitting. This story fundamentally shows how far a person can go to achieve their own dreams despite the action may appear to be out-of-character or the potential harm it may cause to others. This is very noticeable in the later half of the show especially in the ending. I won't say anything more about the second half other than it is just a diamond in the rough. One of the best endings I have seen in a kdrama where most tend to fall short on.
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VERY RAW STORYLINE AND CHARACTERS, BUT WEAK LEAD CHARACTERS.
It was an okay show with a very different storyline then other Kdramas. It didnt hold back at all and it was very raw and real. The storyline was interesting and the side characters were really good but the two main characters were just not it. I couldnt really like any of the characters, they were pretty annoying most of the time (all exept than Mr Lee). The best thing in this drama is the relationship between Mr Lee and Min Hee, i believe he was like a father to her and they both felt it even if he never admit it. The male lead wasnt so bad or annoying, but the female lead ruined everything for me, i was about to stop it because she was just so annoying but the side characters just kept me.Not your average kdrama.
Hope it has second season cause the ending was just not an ending and i hate it.
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Unconventional K-Drama
'Extracurricular' is a whole rollercoaster. It took me 2 days to finally decide to write this review because this drama is a lot to sink in and process.It starts with what looks like a simple high school story with your regular poor main lead who struggles to make friends and live a normal life after his parents abandoned him, and then turns to be a dramatic and crazy story with bits of Tarantino.
As a film lover, I must say 'Extracurricular' exceeded my expectations considering this is a K-Drama. I've watched all genres of K-Dramas but never have I ever seen one dealing with such deep topics from the perspective of high schoolers. If you've watched many dramas too, you'll know that Koreans are very reserved about how they portray high schoolers, since they're still children, and you'll mostly only see criminal/taboo behaviors from high schoolers in K-Movies. So, to see the characters of this amazing show deal with topics like prostitution, explicitly about minors, or sex trafficking was pretty much a shock. I know this didn't air in public or cable TV, hence why it was much more detailed and censorless, but still kind of shocking.
One thing that annoys me a bit from TV dramas is that whenever there's a smoking scene, there's always someone who takes the cigarette out of the hands of the person that was supposed to smoke it and turns it off, or they just show the back of the person smoking it. However, we saw high schoolers with cigarettes turned on and actually smoking it, teenagers talking sexually about body parts, being fully aware of sexual stuff, being criminals... The unconventional nature of the show really surprised me and left a great feeling on me.
I love the way they developed the story. I hadn't been as annoyed and frustrated about every character in a show in so long, and 'Extracurricular' made it possible for me to hate each and every single character on the show, except from Mr. Lee and the teacher. Every other character was absolutely stupid and frustrating, and oddly that's one of my favorite things about this story; that the characters are completely unlikable and annoying and there's little to no personal development on their personalities at all and I see this from the POV of someone who values personal development the most in a show. The fact that this story didn't take them anywhere good gives you a bittersweet feeling and you start wondering, "was it really necessary?" about almost everything that happens. You question the logic of these characters and wonder why can't they simply use their brains wisely. And to me, this created a really remarkable story.
Oh Ji Soo is the most stupid male character I can think of from a K-Drama, but since his personality is somewhere in the middle of a genius and a dumbass, I can only say he's actually a genius. Bae Gyu Ri is a nosy girl that ends up uncovering a pimp business that offers security to prostitutes and ends up ruining the whole thing for O-ji. I can't say I didn't hate her 90% of the drama and wanted to get in the screen and slap her face so bad. She's pretentious and selfish, but I liked the way she cared for O-ji. They both made a dangerous, yet great couple.
Overall I don't want to get into details as I don't want to mark this with spoiler, but I'll just say I loved the unconventional and unique ending that they gave us. My review is only positive, but there still were some things I would've improved about the casting and role of certain characters so I'll give it 9/10.
PS. I loved the nightmare scenes, especially the one about Seo Minhee. All the nightmares are among my favorite representation of a dream in a show.
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!!Korean Bonnie and Clyde!!
Okay, I've actually never seen Bonnie and Clyde but from what I heard they were riding or dies and that's how I describe the two main characters. This shows my GODD this show I need a season two. From the start, you are at the edge of your seat. It starts with a "WHAT THE HELL" and ends with a "THAT'S IT!" From the characters to the plot to the over vibe this show is a MUST WATCH! This show set me off loving all the thriller dramas and I have not looked back. Every little thing is important so pay attention.Was this review helpful to you?
Grades, Guilt, and the Grind of Survival: Extracurricular Has No Heroes
Extracurricular doesn’t waste time trying to be your average high school drama.. and thank god for that. From the first episode, it sets itself apart with a premise so bold, it almost dares you to keep watching. And you should. Because what unfolds is one of the most tightly written, morally complex, and emotionally charged korean dramas in recent memory. Somehow, against all odds, it gets just about everything right.Let’s start with the premise, which might sound insane on paper, but is executed with surgical precision. Our main lead, Oh Ji-soo, is your typical straight-A student. Quiet, friendless, virtually invisible in the school hallways. He’s also running a clandestine security operation for a sex trafficking ring which involves a minor, under the moniker “Uncle” (삼촌). So, yes… not exactly your run-of-the-mill after school job.
Things spiral rapidly once his rich ( and miles “cooler” ) classmate Bae Gyu-ri discovers his double life. Their toxic dance of co-dependence, ambition, and imploding morality is one of the show’s most fascinating throughlines. There’s no neat hero-villain binary here. Everyone’s just trying to survive, clawing their way through the collapsing architecture of youth and society’s expectations.
What truly elevates Extracurricular above its peers is its characters. They’re painfully real, infuriating, vulnerable, and often walking contradictions. Ji-soo is particularly magnetic. A quiet kid with a mind like a steel trap, unraveling in slow motion. Despite being the mastermind of an exploitative criminal enterprise, you still find yourself rooting for him… a feat that should be morally impossible, and yet here we are.
Much of that is thanks to Kim Dong-hee’s phenomenal performance. He plays Ji-soo with a kind of jittery restraint that makes every twitch of his expression feel like a page turning in a much darker book. It's a portrayal so good, it almost makes you forget you’re empathizing with a teenage cyber-pimp. Almost.
The rest of the cast holds their weight, too. With insane chemistry and a level of emotional authenticity that never veers into melodrama. The show’s actors handle intense, morally thorny material with a maturity that puts many veteran performers to shame.
Visually, Extracurricular is a standout. The cinematography is sleek but not over-stylized. Those dreamy, almost surreal sequences where we’re pulled into the characters’ inner worlds? Gorgeous. They strike that balance between introspective and cinematic without looking like someone just discovered Instagram filters. The time jumps, often a narrative minefield, are handled with elegance, adding urgency without ever feeling like a lazy plot shortcut.
Thematically, this show bites off a lot. child exploitation, class disparity, systemic neglect.. and it chews every bit of it thoughtfully. It never feels like the writers are moralizing or turning trauma into aesthetic. Instead, the show pulls you in with a critique of how the world lets kids fall through the cracks and then wonders why they turn into monsters.. or worse, entrepreneurs.
If I had to dock points (and I do, because no work is perfect), it’s for the soundtrack. While the music does the job most of the time, there are moments, especially during more intense sequences, where a poorly chosen track saps the tension like a bucket to the head. It's not a dealbreaker, but given how well everything else is executed, it's a missed opportunity.
Still, if you’re looking for a high school drama that’s gritty without being “edgy for edgy’s sake” , emotionally complex, and just straight-up smart, Extracurricular should be at the top of your list. It's bold, disturbing, and unrelentingly honest. a K-drama that doesn’t want to be liked so much as it wants to be remembered.
And trust me.. you will remember it.
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Should be watched by everyone
A thriller that is dark and unpredictable. Slow burn but this really kept me hooked on till the end. It pulled me to the edge of my seat, made me anxious at every turning point. The characters were crazy but every actor put their soul into it to bring the character into life. It just makes you keep on wondering who is right and wrong? what is good and evil?. Some secrets tend to keep as it is but what will happen if it gets revealed?... To find out watch this series.Tip: This series picks up the pace from ep 3-4, Hence have some patience.
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This review may contain spoilers
Masterpiece
I really liked this show.It was really exciting and had the binge-factor.
The ending was really open, i do not know till this day if Jisoo is dead or not. But I especially liked the actor of Jisoo, he portrayed the emotions really well.
Gyuri was a cool character, many people disliked her but I think she was a very important role and was special for Jisoo. Even if she brought him a lot of trouble, they were into this together.
I recommend this show to people who like action, because there were scenes that could trigger people, like a lood of blood.
The OST‘s were sooo good, I liked them a lot and still listen to them like to normal music.
I would‘ve wished for a second season but it doesn‘t look like there will ever be one.
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Usual Netflix stuff
This drama took a weird thought very seriously and conceptualized it into a drama. As much as interesting and bizarre the idea of a high schooler being a pimp, some things didn't quite add up. But it's all fictional so okay. It did keep me on edge of my seat, with all its violence especially the climax violence scene was just for the hype and chills. The first half was very interesting with discovering each character and the second half went high voltage with its brutalities. The ending pretty much was usual Netflix style. One time binge but I didn't binge it so the effect wasn't rewarding. FL's character was quite complex and I liked how she was portrayed. As for actors, it was nice to see the actress in this type of role. I liked the music and intro title track of this drama. I won't be rewatching this one.Was this review helpful to you?
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the female lead ruined the show
the plot and story are actually really good and entertaining. it was really interesting to see how the main character dealing with his situation and how a high school student can fake his life that no one even suspects him. but everything ruins when the female lead gets into the picture. like i understand its the plot but she was so annoying. like idc she ruined the show for me. without many spoilers- she wanted to show her parents so bad that she’s not what they’re expecting her to be and that she’s a rebel that she ruined what the main character was basically living off. he just didn’t deserve it. that’s why I hate her. also the ending was really weird and that also effected the enjoyment of the show for meWas this review helpful to you?
