This review may contain spoilers
Shallow, Predictable, and Ultimately Disappointing
The premise of this series is nothing new – a student is murdered, and their sibling or friend returns to school to investigate who’s responsible. It’s a plot we’ve seen many times before. What really matters are the details—characters, twists, suspense. However, this series struggles after the success of similar K-dramas like The Glory and Weak Class Hero, which tackle bullying. The issue here is the protagonists' actions—violence they initiate against others—isn’t adequately addressed. It’s a missed opportunity that leaves the viewer unsatisfied.
The themes of societal injustice and the powerlessness of the lower class are certainly relevant, but they're tackled in a way that feels inconsistent and lacks the depth we’ve seen in other series. It’s like Elite, but watered down with no real consequences or meaningful exploration of its characters.
The production is solid, but the characters and plot fall short. Kang Ha starts strong but falters at the end, and his arc feels incomplete. His blind obsession with Jae Yi leads him to let things slide, only for Jae Yi to be the voice of reason. And then there's Ri An, who orchestrates bullying and violence yet is romanticized—his toxic, possessive relationship with Jae Yi isn’t cute, it’s unhealthy. He deserves more than a slap on the wrist. Meanwhile, He Ra is the most relatable character, with her flaws making her more grounded. Woo Jin, on the other hand, is underdeveloped despite being a potentially dangerous character, and is completely overlooked.
The series is full of attention-grabbing scenes, but they lack substance. The characters’ motivations—jealousy, power, and petty rivalry—don’t leave much room for emotional depth. The series fails to deliver the satisfaction of watching characters get what they deserve, leaving behind frustration instead.
With the second season looming, I can’t help but wonder: what’s the point? The characters have seemingly faced the consequences for their actions. A murder? Really? It feels like a cliché. It’s their last year, and I’m not expecting much.
On a positive note, I hope this series opens more doors for Lee Chae Min in the future.
The themes of societal injustice and the powerlessness of the lower class are certainly relevant, but they're tackled in a way that feels inconsistent and lacks the depth we’ve seen in other series. It’s like Elite, but watered down with no real consequences or meaningful exploration of its characters.
The production is solid, but the characters and plot fall short. Kang Ha starts strong but falters at the end, and his arc feels incomplete. His blind obsession with Jae Yi leads him to let things slide, only for Jae Yi to be the voice of reason. And then there's Ri An, who orchestrates bullying and violence yet is romanticized—his toxic, possessive relationship with Jae Yi isn’t cute, it’s unhealthy. He deserves more than a slap on the wrist. Meanwhile, He Ra is the most relatable character, with her flaws making her more grounded. Woo Jin, on the other hand, is underdeveloped despite being a potentially dangerous character, and is completely overlooked.
The series is full of attention-grabbing scenes, but they lack substance. The characters’ motivations—jealousy, power, and petty rivalry—don’t leave much room for emotional depth. The series fails to deliver the satisfaction of watching characters get what they deserve, leaving behind frustration instead.
With the second season looming, I can’t help but wonder: what’s the point? The characters have seemingly faced the consequences for their actions. A murder? Really? It feels like a cliché. It’s their last year, and I’m not expecting much.
On a positive note, I hope this series opens more doors for Lee Chae Min in the future.
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