Heesu in Class 2

Reinforces the idea that queer people are pawns for capitalism

Fun fact; You actually do not have to alter an entire manhwa! You actually don't have to make a queer relationship about the uninvolved, and originally non-canon, best friend and complex character turned snobbish girlfriend!

All jokes aside, I am insanely disappointed to see so many people demanding that the queer community be grateful for this show. It disrespected a manhwa that was important for many people. More importantly, this was a mainstream outlet for Queer South Koreans to see their love and relationships represented on screen. Progress has never been achieved by accepting the bare minimum (and less) simply because it's considered progress. There are so many K-BLs/GLs that explore queerness in such an authentic and meaningful way. It can be done, and to call this anything but a queerphobic choice in the writers room is disingenuous and unfair to those fighting for accurate and authentic queer representation.

Queer people should not come second in romance, especially when the romance is supposed to be theirs. South Koreans are not exceptions to this rule. The acting was good, but the script and material were erasure of a minority that is already scarcely represented in film and TV, especially in many Asian countries. Being queer is still taboo, and pushing media like this as 'representation.' or assuming you're entitled to queer fans' devotion just furthers that stigma. On top of that, Ji-yu is very underwritten and neglected. It feels as though her character was neglected in favor of the male leads. If you're going to write a character like her, at least don't make her static. She is a walking stereotype who doesn't experience any character development outside of her relationship with Chan Yeong. She is also a very kind, charming, and supportive character in the manhwa, but she and Chan Yeong both just read as inconsiderate and selfish in the adaptation. Their relationship is uninteresting and, honestly, disrespectful to Huisu and Seungwon. They deserve a story revolving around them, as it was intended to be.

This show let queer people down. It let beautiful and complex characters down. It let a whole generation of people down. You are allowed to enjoy the unintended main couple, and you are allowed to enjoy the show. Ultimately, though, you used a BL to find a specific demographic, and then threw them under the bus. I have read the summary (and, admittedly, watched clips that include the originally intended main BL couple) for the rest of the episodes, and all it has done is further my point. You marketed an adaptation of a queer manhwa as being queer, and yet failed to deliver. Even in the case of a season 2, I personally don't find this forgivable or as something I could look past. I love seeing people like me speak a language I speak and be themselves unashamedly... why couldn't they just *be*?

Overall, I could've excused the little bit of poorly written queer experience if it weren't for the static progression in favor of a straight one. The main love interests are queer. The main leads are queer. They could've been treated as any other couple, but they weren't. Their progression was halted entirely while a straight romance blossomed. That makes no sense. The queer erasure in this show is nuts!!! What is happening? If you want to make a story devoid of labels, orientation, and homophobia, that's great! Queer people shouldn't have to suffer to be queer. If you're going to take that route, framing liking girls as a boy as the default assumption is an interesting move. Society and it's systems shouldn't be romanticized, especially in fantasy that seeks to exclude it, and queer couples should be treated like any other. That means assumptions routed in said system shouldn't exist. In fact, the decision to favor a straight ship in this context, just reaffirms that same system you're trying to write out of fantasy. It almost feels like a satire critiquing hypocrisy in those claiming to want better representation, while still making decisions that hurt marginalized groups in favor of more money and reach. Art isn't only about how it reads, but how it performs and the beautiful stories it should tell.

I wouldn't recommend this drama, but I would absolutely recommend the manhwa. It is so super cute. Keep fighting for good queer representation all around the world!!!

Edit: I'm a letterboxd warrior, so this is my first review on my dramalist. I made an account just to review this show because I disliked it so much. Obviously, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but keep that in mind!

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Could have been a 30 minute special

I’ll start by saying the cast was amazing and the chemistry was great. The story had an amazing set up and crazy potential however it was completely wasted. The main couple got less than half of screen time each episode and they made no progress until the last 20 minutes of the last episode. It was so aggravating as each episode went by and we had the same problem over and over. It was so dragged out that I was actually mad. I like a good slow burn but this was not that. I’m so sad because this show could have been one of my favorites but I would not even think to rewatch it. The amount of filler was crazy.

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Do not watch this drama if you're not ready

If you want to watch men kissing and being romantic with each other, this isn't the drama for you. If you want more adult content or stories that resolve quicker, then this isn't the drama for you. If you want a perfect BL fantasy in which all characters are magically gay and nobody questions their sexuality, this isn't the drama for you. If you're not going to watch this drama with an open mind, then this isn't the drama for you.

I had been excited about this drama for the past 3 years and I must say, I was not disappointed. Was this drama just like the original WebToon? No. It is an adaptation afterall. Was it a perfect adaptation? Not that either, but was it good? Yes.

When the trailer dropped, the reception from Korean and non-Korean audiences was very different. Many Korean fans were simply excited about it, whereas international fans were ready to hate the drama. Thus, I ask you, if you're not open minded, you're only going to see the flaws in the drama. Actually, not the flaws, but the things that you wanted that were never going to be there. Most comments kept talking about this drama being another heteronormative straight washed Korean drama, and I was so confused. I've seen many Korean BL's and none of them have ever been straightwashed except one. Spring of Crush. That drama was a huge disappointment. The original is BL but the drama was changed to bromance and completely eliminated the romantic storyline. But apart from that, I've never seen any Korean BL's actually straightwash their content. So I was confused, to say the least.

In preparation to this drama, I had read the Webtoon years ago and one thing that I loved about this webtoon compared to other BL's was that it wasn't exactly a BL drama. As a gay man myself, also having lived in Korea for many years, one thing that I liked about BL's is the fantasy aspect that helped me escape reality. But on the other hand, I didn't like how the genre of BL fed onto this fantasy that every man is magically gay, there are no female characters at all in many BL's and the fact that they're attracted to men is never addressed nor of importance. It just is that way. That bothered me because it was just too perfect and I couldn't fully feel a connection to the characters at times. It was simple fanservice. But Heesu in Class 2 was different. The fact that they had their friends hide their lovey-doveyness because being gay in high school like this would be an issue, the fact that Heesu is in love with his straight best friend and he stays straight the whole time. He wasn't magically gay or bi all along, nor does he suddenly realize he actually likes bi. This isn't exactly a queer Webtoon, but it's the closest BL to seem really relay the queer experience in a light enough way without taking away its meaning. This is the main reason I loved the webtoon. So much so that I thought the author was a gay man, not a girl.

Now did the drama deliver on the main essence of webtoon? Yes. Completely and fully, yes. The thing that annoys me the most about most hate is people calling it Chanyoung in Class 2 or a straightwashed drama with BL characters as side characters. Which I think are huge exaggerations and I stand by what I said. If you want a perfect BL fantasy in which all characters are magically gay and nobody questions their sexuality, this just isn't the drama for you. This drama isn't actually about Seungwon and Heesu, nor is it about Heesu and Chanyoung, nor Chanyoung and Jiyu. This drama is about Heesu. This drama is about love, and its many many forms. So the main essence of the drama is still very much present.

Heesu's journey with accepting himself. With his world that revolves only around Chanyoung and no one else. His immaturity, his determination not to lose Chanyoung and actually try to confess to him, to be with him. Him learning that he really doesn't know what he actually likes, only what Chanyoung likes. Seungwon being the one who wants to know HIM, for who he is. And him for the first time having someone take interest in only him. This all is still very much present. This isn't simply a BL story, the main focus was never Seungwon and Heesu getting together, but Heesu learning what love is. Heesu maturing and growing. And Heesu did just that, the whole drama. He learned to let go and let Chanyoung be happy. Him learning to take initiative, to take courage. Learning love through the experience of his older sisters. Him feeling insecure in being himself and coming out and seeing Seungwon with two moms giving him that reassurance that no matter what, he at least wouldn't hate him for being gay.

The important and subtle message of the drama stayed the same. In no moment in the original webtoon (which I read in Korean, so I don't know how it was translated to English) did they say the word gay outright from what I remember. The drama kept that. They don't say the words because they aren't needed. The fact that we get a scene in which Heesu can come out to one of his sisters? That was powerful. The fact that we get to see Heesu cry and get the courage to accept himself and eventually come out? That's powerful. This isn't a BL where you get to see the main couple get together and be cute together. This is a coming of age story in which we get to see two gay teenagers learn to accept themselves, take courage and take a chance on love despite everything. I actually also loved the change with the drama in which Heesu is interested in the things related to space. The metaphors really added a lot to the story.

Now I don't think it was all perfect. Honestly in the original, I actually kind of had wanted Jiyu and Chanyoung to get together, but Chanyoung not succeeding in love for once was something that added to the story in the webtoon. But we get a music arc with Jiyu and a tennis arc with Chanyoung that really did add to the characters to a degree. I think saying the drama was about them is a huge exaggeration. However I do think they kind of messed up the characters of Chanyoung. Chanyoung was originally aware of Heesu's in crush and wanted someone to come and take over to save him from his own heartbreak. Making him unaware changed the dynamics of the drama and did a disservice to the character. I do like the ending in which we get to see him show up for Heesu and say he'd be there for him no matter what, which is important for Heesu. However I do think that he could've apologized and that was portrayed in a more selfish and self-centered way. But a good looking guy who's popular and in high school? I want to say that isn't a little more of a realistic take on how a real high school good looking guy would react? I do think he was selfish and lacked accountability though.

I do however like that all the characters were flawed in many ways and immature. They got to grow and learn a lot. I loved the love arcs with all 3 of his sisters, which really served to show Heesu learning and growing while relating to his own love life and struggles. All female characters in this drama were great. Even the slight bullying that happened over instagram was an interesting addition to the plot. Seungwon standing up for Heesu as well.

So again, I'll repeat. Is this a perfect adaptation? No. Is this a straight washed heteronormative Korean drama? No. This isn't a story that's supposed to be fanservice to please the fantasy of gay men relationships. This drama was from the beginning to the end about love and about Heesu. Heesu's growth, coming to terms with his sexuality, coming out and finding love. It was about that while we got to see the growth of everyone else around him relative to him as well. I loved every bit of this drama and would highly recommend it to anyone who's willing to watch it without comparing it to the original source material too much and without expecting a BL fantasy.

One last thing, the acting. This is by far one of my TOP 5 BL dramas overall and of the best in terms of acting. None of the actors gave weak acting deliveries. Until the end, every emotion, every scene was done with superb acting. Unlike many other BL dramas in which there are many new actors who were unable to deliver the emotional depth of queer characters or even have basic acting skills, this drama had none of that. Ahn Jiho's portrayal of Heesu was a bit manlier than the original, but he kept the bratty, innocent, dreamy and loving good hearted nature of the character. And that boy can cry like no other. I keep replaying the confession part of the last episode over and over just to see them act. Do I wish there was more of the main couple? Yes, sure. But it was never about them. It was about Heesu's growth and if you actually stop looking for a fantasy of gay relationships and watch through the eyes of Heesu as a character, this drama is really good.

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Beautiful queer coming of age story

I get that some people were disappointed bc of expectations from the source material, but the overall ratings seem excessively low to me for such a lovely and well made show. I haven't read the source material so this is solely based on the drama itself.

This is the best Korean drama I've seen in terms of depicting a realistic queer coming of age story. Heesu felt like a real person and his world felt full and believable. The het side couple were really well drawn as a foil to the main couple, especially how easy it was for them to confess compared to how much harder it is for their queer counterparts. The sisters' mini storylines were also great for highlighting different things going on with Heesu and providing advice/examples that he could then apply to his own situation.

My two favorite scenes were Heesu finding out about Seungwon's two moms and Heesu coming out to his sister, both were heart-warming and understated moments of connection that rang true.

I hope more people give this drama a chance or a second chance, I think it's very special.

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Chanyeong in Class 2 LoL

It’s disappointing to see *Heesu in Class 2* shift its focus in a direction that feels completely off-track. As a BL series, the excitement was there from the start, but Episode 6 really changed things for me. The straight couple seems to be taking center stage, making it hard to stay invested. Chanyeong’s character, in particular, has become frustrating to watch...constantly chasing after the girl while seemingly ignoring Heesu’s feelings altogether. Every time he’s on screen, I feel less inclined to continue supporting the series. Frankly, at this point, it doesn’t even feel like a BL drama anymore. While I fully support the gay couple as the main characters, Chanyeong and the girl are just not it for me. Sadly, I have to give this one my lowest rating. It should be title Chanyeong in Class 2 LOL

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it would be a perfect 10 but.....

Dont judge me but I forced myself to not care the chanyoung story and I only focus on heesu and its not bad. I know my rating is too generous way generous actually. But this is for heesu and seungwon . I love them so much and I would die for them. Even I can not take it when they just touched what more if they
iaeuhdiuefebfiljyewuyeugfub . Yall dont understand I read the manhwa and I just think that as a separate entity lol. but hey at least my boys are happy. and Im happy too. I know some are disappointed and didn't like it and jts okay. I hated, enjoyed, etc but Im satisfied at least so yeah. uhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu having a crush so fun hsshshshahahhahabye

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Frustrating to watch

The series is quite different from the manhwa. It feels like the director is focusing more on the straight couple than the actual main leads. Some might not agree, but it seems like this was done to attract K-drama fans who prefer straight romances. Honestly, it's a bit frustrating. They also made Jiyu's character really unlikeable. She comes off as nonchalant in episodes 2–3 but suddenly becomes energetic around Seungwon. It just feels inconsistent and kind of annoying. The live action is very boring. I was really looking forward to it but it disappointed me a lot. The director did a poor job with the live action.

From episode 3 onwards, the series got so boring that I don't even want to continue it. Also, where's the plot? Where's the story? There's nothing interesting in this series. Rather than wasting your time watching it, I’d recommend reading the manhwa instead.

Imagine waiting so long for the live action, only for it to disappoint you like this. Anyway, the acting wasn’t that good either.

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Heesu...this play is not about you

I think it is homophobic and disappointing to take as BL story, claim to adapt it, only to remove the BL. If they were interested in making a straight drama with a BL side couple they should have just written one! To advertise this show as a BL is disingenuous!

This show is only interested in the straight characters. It completely abandons the two main BL leads after the point when they would naturally get together. They did not even care to write a character arc to give them reasons to stay apart! They are simply sidelined and the show focuses on other characters until LITERALLY the last 10 mins of the finale. They seem determined to avoid having to show Heesu and Seung Won in a relationship on screen.

When the finale confession actually does happen it's sad and painful for Heesu, who feels Seung Won lied to him. After Seung Won's clarification... they seem ok!??? That is the ending to THE MAIN CHARACTERs love story. We certainly don't see them understanding each other! The happy ending is essential implied, not written!

Meanwhile the straight couple is developed slowly throughout the entire show. We see them from first interest in each other to multiple episodes of them happy togther! It's to the point that a significant portion of the lasts 3 episodes getting to see them develop within the relationship beyond just getting together. The amount of time and energy the show spends explaining the importance of the straight couple's EXTRACURRICULARS in the finale is particularly egregious!

To give some idea of the priorities in this show I have the following lists...

THINGS THE SHOW WRAPPED UP AT THE END
1.Heesu's older sister and her boyfriend breaking up and getting closure
2. Heesu's Best friend and the girl that secretly likes him getting together
3. How Heesu's straight best friend feels about Heesu liking him in the past.
4. Why the girl that used to like Heesu stopped pursuing him
5. Heesu's senior moving closer to her ex
6.TENNIS
7. STAGEFRIGHT

THINGS THE SHOW DID NOT WRAP UP
1. Heesu finding out exactly how long Seung Won a crush on him
2. Seung Won explaining that he lied about having a crush on that girl because, he wanted to be around Heesu and didn't know how else to do it.
3. Seung Won explaining that the reason he had been so cold and dismissive to Heesu (thus hurting his feelings) is because he was jealous at the ideas of H confessing to someone else.
4. What kind of relationship will they have! We don't see them spend time together once the misunderstandings have been cleared up!

I was really enjoying this show in the first half this was such a disappointing ending.

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Girl, IDC about the negative remarks. This deserves a vast support now!

It's NOT straighwashing, I tell you ahead and don't listen to those nitpicking the series. Its main focus are the GAYS! Probably the heteros are there to create a sense of diversity?? Why are yall hating (youre like straights hatin gay relationships but in diff font) ? Besides, even if the series is changing the manwha, the essence of the story is still there—HEESU AND HIS FLUFFY CRUSH!! And hello? It's an "ADAPTATION" (directors could change however they like). I said what I said because this series is for the GAY! I hope yall will support this because kbls with big names are vv rare. Let's boost this series so they would continue creating something about LGBTQ. Don't drown the drama plsss this can be a gateway for more in the future duhh... BTW, 2 eps remaining and hes close to confession. I badly need this SLOWBURRNN

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The queer kdrama we deserve

Heesu in Class 2 is phenomenal. Finally, a classic kdrama with a queer couple at the center. This show is not structured like a BL—all of the characters and relationships matter, not just the main romance. It’s deeper than a simple boy meets boy love story, and the show was made with such love and care. The writing is excellent, the visuals are gorgeous, and the whole cast is fantastic, especially Ahn Ji Ho.

There is a lot of negativity about the show on here that seems to be driven by manhwa fans resentful that the show adapted the story differently for the screen, and BL fans resentful that characters outside of the main pair actually matter. They’re wrong. The show’s version of the story adds so much depth and emotional weight to relatively shallow source material. I hope you’ll ignore the noise and give this show a chance, because it deserves our attention.

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