This review may contain spoilers
Hierarchy was disappointing as a revenge series but is that what it was intended to be?
If you go into Hierarchy expecting a revenge plotline, then yes, you’ll be greatly disappointed. I was too, because that’s exactly what I thought it would be about. I've read all the bad reviews and I mostly agree. This series was tea served at room temperature but I'm a tea lover so I had to ignore that fact and form my.. rather optimistic opinion.
The story follows Kang Ha, who loses his brother in an accident, only to later find out that his brother was actually bullied in highschool and driven to his death. He enrolls in the same prestigious high school under the scholarship program to find out who killed him. I’d like to point out that Kang Ha wanted to find who his brother’s killer was, not exactly to take revenge. His goal had always been to uncover the truth and make sure no scholarship student would have to go through the same bullying and discrimination as his brother did.
Rich, spoiled brats are often portrayed as irredeemable, but I’d like to disagree here. These kids weren’t just rich spoiled brats, especially Jung Jae-I and Kim Ri-An. Both had redeemable qualities because, despite their wealth, they were bound by their parents’ leash. When this happens, people often turn out more empathetic rather than becoming arrogant scumbags. That’s why it was surprising, but believable, that Jae-I and Ri-An chose to accept punishment and confess which is something you don't immediately see in He-ra and Woo-jin.
The direction this story took feels fresh. It shows that revenge isn’t going to solve everything, no matter how badly you want tit-for-tat. Even though Ri-An apologizes to Kang Ha, Kang Ha refuses to forgive him and that, in itself, is the revenge. An apology will never bring his brother back, so he isn’t obligated to accept it.
Although, Kang Ha having a crush on Jae-I felt superficial and left a bad taste in my mouth. The story could have “achieved” everything it did without forcing that aspect in.
But I absolutely loved Ri-An and Jae-I’s relationship but they literally could've done better.
While most of us wouldn’t call this a happy ending, I’d say it’s a nuanced one. Kang-Ha had a goal, and he achieved it so for him, it is a happy ending.
That said, the acting could've been better. The story dragged, it was cringe at times and I feel like even if what I said above was the true intentions of the makers, they did a horrible job at executing it.
The story follows Kang Ha, who loses his brother in an accident, only to later find out that his brother was actually bullied in highschool and driven to his death. He enrolls in the same prestigious high school under the scholarship program to find out who killed him. I’d like to point out that Kang Ha wanted to find who his brother’s killer was, not exactly to take revenge. His goal had always been to uncover the truth and make sure no scholarship student would have to go through the same bullying and discrimination as his brother did.
Rich, spoiled brats are often portrayed as irredeemable, but I’d like to disagree here. These kids weren’t just rich spoiled brats, especially Jung Jae-I and Kim Ri-An. Both had redeemable qualities because, despite their wealth, they were bound by their parents’ leash. When this happens, people often turn out more empathetic rather than becoming arrogant scumbags. That’s why it was surprising, but believable, that Jae-I and Ri-An chose to accept punishment and confess which is something you don't immediately see in He-ra and Woo-jin.
The direction this story took feels fresh. It shows that revenge isn’t going to solve everything, no matter how badly you want tit-for-tat. Even though Ri-An apologizes to Kang Ha, Kang Ha refuses to forgive him and that, in itself, is the revenge. An apology will never bring his brother back, so he isn’t obligated to accept it.
Although, Kang Ha having a crush on Jae-I felt superficial and left a bad taste in my mouth. The story could have “achieved” everything it did without forcing that aspect in.
But I absolutely loved Ri-An and Jae-I’s relationship but they literally could've done better.
While most of us wouldn’t call this a happy ending, I’d say it’s a nuanced one. Kang-Ha had a goal, and he achieved it so for him, it is a happy ending.
That said, the acting could've been better. The story dragged, it was cringe at times and I feel like even if what I said above was the true intentions of the makers, they did a horrible job at executing it.
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