Heesu in Class 2

Who is Heesu beyond his romantic interest?

I love the manhwa, but I also understand adaptations aren't obligated to follow the source material. With that in mind, I don't think this is the worst drama I have seen. But, it still falls short.

What I found so interesting about Heesu, but also so incredibly sad is that when we first meet him he isn’t introduced as his own person and he isn't aware of how much his identity is tied to someone else. I don't think the drama explores the complexity of that to the extent that it should.

Heesu is well known in school for giving dating advice, but none of those student even remember his name. He is often referred to as Chan Yeong’s shadow. And while he might not know himself, he knows one thing for sure. He likes Chan Yeong and likes being by his side.

Heesu is trying so hard to be in orbit to Chan Yeong’s universe. But, Pluto gets expelled from the solar system for being so similar to hundreds of other stars and goes from being special to ordinary and Heesu just wants to be special.

His whole identity is wrapped around someone else. He doesn’t know what food he likes because he’ll just eat whatever Chan Yeong wants to eat. He tries to join the video production club because Chan Yeong signed up for it. But, the club is full and for the first time we see a character, Seung Won, who notices something about Heesu that isn’t in relation to Chan Yeong.

He tells Heesu that he is great at listening to others and helping students. He suggests signing up for the counseling club. For the first time, Heesu is being noticed for the significant impact he makes on others. He's recognized as that guy who very specifically likes carrot juice. It’s a thing that he likes that isn't borrowed from someone else.

The moments that stands out the most to me is when we learn more about Heesu as someone more than his unrequited love. It's when we get to see him as an an individual. But it doesnt happen often. We get to see some of that through Seung Won’s perspective as he carefully observes him.

Alone in his own house, Seung Won could hear Heesu and his sister’s arguing next door and you see him smile at all the noise against the silence of his own home. It’s these moments where we get to see into their lives and who these characters are. Seung Won who is lonely and who likes hearing the noise of family being together. Heesu at home who clearly complains and expresses what he likes and doesn't like and doesnt dismiss it like he typically does outside of the home where he'll just eat whatever popcorn or food his friends like.

I wish we got more moments like that, but not enough time was given to learn more about Heesu and Seung Won as individuals. In fact, not enough time was even given on their emerging relationship.

While it’s great that Heesu finally figures out that he likes Seung Won, I wish we got more time with Heesu figuring out who he is as a person that isn't in relation to others. Who is Heesu beyond his romantic interests? The drama spends so much time focusing on everyone else. His sisters, Chan Yeong, and Ji Yu who are all chasing after what they like and their passion. It's fine to include, but not at the expense of sacrificing space to explore Heesu’s self-discovery of becoming the protagonist of his own narrative.

It had the ingredients to be something special but didn't quite meet its potential.

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Beautiful

Reading everyone else’s review, I was honestly disappointed. I was hooked by this show from the first episode. Most of you who started watching this was expecting the normal trope of the boy and his best friend. You also were not expecting that there would be a straight couple as well. Now while I understand that they do get a bit of scene time, I feel as if it is needed. I feel like we get such an understanding of all the characters. This is a slow burn that is really burning for me at least. I have to be honest, when I started watching this, I thought Hee Su and his best friend were going to end up together, which almost always happens in these shows. Boy was I wrong and I’m glad I’m wrong. This show just kind of gives off a really heart warming but a realistic message which you’ll just have to figure out by watching yourself. While there are a ton of bad reviews, I hope this one gives you a reason to give this a try. And come onnnn, it’s rare to get a Korean BL that has 10 episodes with each being over 40 minutes long. They are evolving, and this one is just so beautiful.

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Kinda disappointed

What got me really angry was that I felt deceived by the writers, directors and producers or whomever gave life to this show... they used us, BL fans as bait to completely overshadow the main couple SOOOO much that it felt almost the whole series if they were the second couple and the main characters were the straight couple... It was almost 10 hours of stupid miscommunication and the straight couple trying to be together... I understand that kissing in high school is inappropriate let alone sleeping together is very uncommon in Asian series... different from western ones but the ending felt rushed, without a pace and with a bitter taste just because the main couple got to be together... I honestly didn't like it. The acting was actually pretty convincing and solid but I'm extremely disappointed...

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I had to be reminded that they were the MCs

Having seen “Light on Me” and still considering it one of the best series in terms of storytelling and character development, all I can say is, they had that reference material and somehow decided to dip this beautiful work in “straight” bleach.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the dynamic between Seung and Hee-Su. For a character who barely spoke, Seung somehow became my favorite. It’s hard to explain, but they just work.

Now, let’s talk about the so-called side characters—or rather, the ones who somehow managed to steal more screen time than the actual MCs. It’s baffling, but it seems like they were trying to fill the 45-minute runtime with just about anything.

I did adore the relationship between Hee-Su and his three sisters, but honestly, much of it felt forced or like a filler. A lot of the scenes just seemed like they were trying to pad out the story. And don’t even get me started on the tennis and audition scenes—those were just...🫩

So why the 8.5 rating, you ask? Well, it’s the cinematography, the visual imagery—I’m a sucker for that, the comedic moments didn’t feel forced, which I appreciated. Also, Seung—his character is one of the main reasons I rated it so high. The way he carries himself. He doesn’t say much, but his words—though few—were always packed with emotion and meaning. There’s a quiet intensity about him, and even in the smallest moments, you can feel the weight of his inner world. Watching him navigate uncertainty and growth felt authentic. But that whole straight-washing issue? It’s hard to ignore, especially when this could have been so much more. It’s a huge letdown, especially in 2025.

I don’t read manhwas or mangas, but I’ve heard that the straight couples didn’t even exist in the original material, which is already a major departure. So yeah, with all that in mind, it feels like a missed opportunity.

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Wholesome coming-of-age story for those who haven't read the manhwa

If you're a fan of the manhwa, you probably won't like this series as it apparently drifts away too significantly from the source material.
If you're expecting a typical BL with all its tropes (or even laser-focus on the gay romance), you probably won't like this series either.
But if you don't mind a wholesome, heart-warming coming-of-age story about different people navigating their love lives, with a strong taste of "love is love" sentiment and don't mind/can bear *a lot* of running around with a tennis racket - this series might be just for you 😉
Personally, I thought this drama was lovely, with good acting, good production quality and a believable portrayal of teenagers in high school dealing with issues like first love or dreams and hopes for their future.
Side characters had their own flavour and while often exaggerated, still provided a message resonating throughout the entire series: "there's no one correct way to love" - from a girl having a crush on another girl, to a woman who keeps getting rejected by all her crushes but never gives up 😋 to Heesu himself, who is gay and transitions from a crush on his best friend to a crush on a new boy who entered his life.
I personally do not think this drama was straight-washed, it just wasn't your typical BL production. But to be fair, I also never read the original manhwa, so I didn't have anything to compare it to.
If you're a neutral viewer, without any preconceptions about how this story should go, I think you might like it.

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Caught by surprise

Heesu did everything he could to guide everyone to love and in so doing captured mine. As simple as the formula is, it works. Meandering through the myriad of teenage relationships, it feels fresh, confusing and exciting. Heesu's expressive eyes and high smile carries every flittering emotion of a young heart opening up to love.

Heesu shares a home with his three sisters who go through their journeys and indirectly help shape his experiences. His friends paths are no different than his and add to the complexities of a teenage world. He starts determined to make his confession to only to be stopped by Seung Won who, in his awkwardness, knows Heesu doing so would make him lose the one he loves. Quietly and steadily, he loves.

In his obsession to create happiness for those around him, Heesu cluelessly continues on his mission. Misunderstandings and unspoken feelings add to an already chaotic world. Finally, bravery wins for all. Life is not a stagnant pool and whether they liked it or not, the constant changing from day to night meant that their lives changed also. With every interaction, confession, rejection and acceptance came maturity and wisdom.

Heesu's narration felt like a warm blanket, gently imparting the new found knowledge at the end of the day. This was a huge plus to the series. When the day was done, we all processed at the same time. Opening the window into Heesu's current mood through his anologies emerging from his knowledge of astronomy. Like a butterfly breaking free from his cocoon, he would hurt before receiving his joy. The boy he loves, loves him.

The six couple relationships were seen to maturity over the period of 10 episodes. It was well interwoven within their daily activities that none were rushed. Their differering stances at the end would see the growth of all. In many series the bl focus is so strong that the hetero world is either ommitted or shown to be lacklustre. Not here. In a world where we all co-exist, here the value of each group was beautifully displayed. This was a huge benefit to the actual storytelling. Seung Won's relationship with his two moms would be briefly touched on, but the bond would strengthen as they both wanted to have lives unencumbered with lies.

There are many who may not have liked it as according to mdl's feed, it veered away from the original webtoon. I was not disappointed as I've never read it nor will I. There were two versions of Love in the Big City and I liked both. The expectation that a piece should be specific to it's source material will always be disappointing. Embracing a piece as it's given should be enjoyed on it's own merit. The acting was competant and inviting. The production did a wonderful job of bringing their stories to life. The accompanying score would create the wonder of Heesu's confused environment. The darkened room needed only the soft voices revealing their truth.

This is going onto my rewatch list and I'll boldly add, should be on yours, too.

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KBL DID IT AGAIN!!

KBL did it again! ruined another adaptation, even tho it wasn't the worst -the production is to blame. This story was too good if the focus was more on our ML. Even tho i have not read the manhwa the bl felt so incomplete. even while editing for this drama for my youtube channel i found it difficult to cut out their scene it hardly even made 30 mins. it would had a even higher rating if the focus was on heesu rather than introducing a character that wasn't in the original story, loved the acting and no hate to the actors but the story had so much potential which has potentially gone into vain. really dissapointed ITS 2025 GUYSSSS!! literallly

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Hear me out

Imagine This Happened in Crash Landing on You.
Think of how much people LOVE Crash Landing on You.
The emotional tension.
The forbidden romance.
The longing between Yoon Seri and Captain Ri Jeonghyuk.
It’s the whole heart of the show.

Now picture this nightmare version:

Episode 1:
Yoon Seri crash lands in North Korea, meets Captain Ri…
and just when sparks start to fly…
The camera CUTS AWAY to:
👉 A random soldier in Captain Ri’s squad
Let’s call him Private Oh.
For the next 30 minutes, the show follows Private Oh’s dramatic relationship with his girlfriend back in Pyongyang:
* their family problems
* her career stress
* their fights
* their makeup scenes
* flashbacks to their childhood
* his sob story about failing the military exam
Meanwhile…
Seri and Captain Ri get 6 minutes total of screen time.

Episode 4:
You tune in, ready for romance.
Instead, you spend half the episode following:
* Private Oh’s girlfriend crying
* A flashback to her ex
* A subplot about her trying to open a bakery
* Private Oh stressing about a tennis match (why tennis? no one knows)
Captain Ri and Seri?
Maybe one short scene where they exchange awkward glances.

⭐ Episode 7:
The synopsis promised:
“A South Korean heiress and a North Korean soldier fall in forbidden love.”
But the actual show delivers:
“Private Oh and His Bakery Ambition Girlfriend: A Love Story (ft. Seri and Captain Ri occasionally existing).”
Seri’s emotional breakdown? Cut short.
Captain Ri risking his life for her? Off screen.
Their chemistry? Replaced by Private Oh’s extended sob story.

Episode 10:
You’ve been waiting for the confession scene.
Instead, you get:
* Private Oh’s girlfriend’s 15 minute backstory monologue
* Followed by their tearful reunion
* Followed by their slow-motion kiss
* Followed by a long montage of them riding bikes
Meanwhile, Seri and Captain Ri get one 30 second scene talking about potatoes.

Now Imagine People Saying:
“Ugh stop complaining! I LOVE Private Oh and his girlfriend even though it’s an unpopular opinion!”
It isn’t about hating the side couple.
It’s about the main character being erased.
It’s about the writers abandoning their own premise.
It’s about viewers being robbed of the story they were promised.
If Crash Landing on You had done this, it wouldn’t be a beloved classic, it would be remembered as a narrative disaster.

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a show that could've had meaning

to start i'd like to say that i do think some of the reviews for this show are hypercritical, but i agree with their sentiments. the reviews had me believing that most of the runtime would be dedicated to the straight couple, which is why i am only just now watching it, despite how excited i was for this show as a fan of the manhwa. it has been several years since i read heesu in class 2, so i can't fully speak to the accuracy. maybe i'll reread and change my mind about some things (for better or worse lol).

to give this show some credit, i think the acting was really well done! there wasn't any moment where i thought "wow that was bad," which occurs with most dramas i watch. and ahn ji ho really captured heesu's essence. i do think the cast probably looks a bit old for high school, but this is far from the worst i've seen in terms of a too-old-cast. and this show was very cute. i don't really watch shows with straight couples because honestly i find it hard to relate to their relationships, but even ji yu and chan young were cute. i really liked all the nervous moments between heesu and seungwon, but i do think that the period of heesu crushing on chan young felt a bit too long to me.

as for critique... while i was happy that the show was not entirely the straight couple, definitely not enough time was spent on heesu and seungwon's relationship after their confessions. i kept checking on how much of the episode was left while watching the final one, thinking "hello?? is it really just gonna be a confession and done????" and alas.

the part that really made me frustrated, though, was how this drama had the potential to be something that truly had meaning. when seungwon asked ji yu if she was oblivious to the fact that something like confessing was harder for him than it was for her, it gave me hope that this show would delve more into that. and when heesu snapped at his friends asking him to say who his crush was and just confess, i really thought we would be getting something that touched on the struggles of queer people in a country like korea. that was not the case.

really, both heesu and seungwon should've been far more angry with their respective friends' lack of understanding throughout this show. they both should've had the right to be mad at their friends for these things, but instead, somehow it made them the bad guy?? the fact that chan young insinuated that heesu finally telling him the truth was harder or him than it was heesu made me so so angry. and then heesu was like "sorry" and then he was fine with it???

and the ending, i mean that just kind of hurt my heart to watch. all the straight couples holding hands and walking together happily and the show decides to end with seungwon putting his arm around heesu's shoulder saying "they'll just think we're close friends." you cant be serious. after all that inner turmoil, you end a show about a gay relationship by having them happy to hide? when ji yu spent all that time moping around about hiding her relationship for like. a week. and then the gay characters are happy with that.... good god.

well anyways. i did enjoy watching this show, but it fell so completely flat in so many ways. as a fan of the original work i am most definitely disappointed.

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