Heesu in Class 2: When a Strong Webtoon Becomes a Weak Drama
The live-action adaptation of Heesu in Class 2 strays so far from its source material that it could easily be mistaken for an entirely different show. Characters like Hui Su and Seung Won, who should have been central, are reduced to supporting roles with minimal screen time. In contrast to the webtoon, where character dynamics felt natural and emotionally resonant, the series suffers from lifeless interactions, awkward silences, and stilted dialogue that undermines any sense of chemistry or connection.
Seung Won’s character, in particular, is almost unrecognizable. While he’s portrayed as socially awkward, the adaptation handles it so poorly that it feels more like a caricature. The changes to his demeanor and behavior strip away all the depth and relatability found in the webtoon.
Though the storyline attempts to build romance, it leans heavily into tired tropes of miscommunication without any real payoff. The lack of meaningful interactions between the leads makes the romance feel forced, and at times, lacking any real connection/chemistry. The one thing that is clear is who is meant to like whom, but even that is buried beneath clumsy writing and the screenwriters choices.
It’s important to note that the actors did there best with what was given to them. Which was a weak script and misguided direction. Unfortunately, their efforts couldn’t salvage a show that stripped away much of what would’ve made it special. Instead of embracing its BL roots, the adaptation pivots toward a more heteronormative angle, leaving viewers with little more than two fleeting minutes of any meaningful connection between the supposed main characters.
In the end, Heesu in Class 2 had the potential to be a heartfelt and engaging series, but poor adaptation choices rendered it dull, disconnected, and disappointing.
I usually try not to compare when adaptations make changes, but this one was so poorly handled that I couldn’t help it.
Seung Won’s character, in particular, is almost unrecognizable. While he’s portrayed as socially awkward, the adaptation handles it so poorly that it feels more like a caricature. The changes to his demeanor and behavior strip away all the depth and relatability found in the webtoon.
Though the storyline attempts to build romance, it leans heavily into tired tropes of miscommunication without any real payoff. The lack of meaningful interactions between the leads makes the romance feel forced, and at times, lacking any real connection/chemistry. The one thing that is clear is who is meant to like whom, but even that is buried beneath clumsy writing and the screenwriters choices.
It’s important to note that the actors did there best with what was given to them. Which was a weak script and misguided direction. Unfortunately, their efforts couldn’t salvage a show that stripped away much of what would’ve made it special. Instead of embracing its BL roots, the adaptation pivots toward a more heteronormative angle, leaving viewers with little more than two fleeting minutes of any meaningful connection between the supposed main characters.
In the end, Heesu in Class 2 had the potential to be a heartfelt and engaging series, but poor adaptation choices rendered it dull, disconnected, and disappointing.
I usually try not to compare when adaptations make changes, but this one was so poorly handled that I couldn’t help it.
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