Reviews

A tale of choices, sacrifices, and second chances... just not quite what I was hoping for.

Yeon Si Eun has reached the breaking point—feeling like he's run out of options, he's determined to end it all...or not. He’s caught in a harrowing spiral of regret and desperation. Trapped between the need of redemption and the weight of guilt and He must confront his choice.You feel Yeon Si Eun pain, his desperation, and the oppressive darkness of the world he who surrounds him.

Weak Hero Class 2 is a series for second chances, wrong choices, and the devastating outcomes of human avarice.This show is more than just a violence story. It’s a reflection on choices, desires, sacrifices and realityHe the asking spectators to consider to consider - I if given a second chance, would we truly make other decisions, or are we doomed to repeat the same steps? However, the spectators can expect a story filled with dynamic characters and blood.

Judging from season 1, I thought I'd either absolutely eat this up or it would be lacking depth.It was definitely something in between. I didn't know what was happeningt when I went into it (I haven't read the Webtoon), but it's safe to say this didn't blow my world away. I love season 1 and I just wish the execution was a bit different. I'm very into friendship stories, so I'm sad I couldn't like this more. This is a story with near non-stop action, and the violence scenes are pretty much the only reason why this gets 7,5 stars instead of 7. The portrayal of violence and its suffocating grip was raw and powerful, capturing the inability to make the right choice.

So, а random chance encounter with the wrong person can change the entire course of your whole life....

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Second half saves it from failure

The second half of 'Newtopia' saves it from failure. Actually, the first half and second half feel so different that they could easily be mistaken as different dramas. I'm a novice when it comes to Korean zombie dramas/movies, I believe the only one I've watched before Newtopia was the movie 'Train to Busan' - a must-watch by the way if you haven't watched that gem already! Anyways, I really didn't know what to expect. To be honest, I don't like my zombies with comedy, and whilst it can be done well, it is rare. So I definitely preferred the moments that did not have this. Thankfully, there were many serious moments, and I really enjoyed the final few episodes. The first few episodes, however, were a chore to watch, honestly. I also didn't like the fact that when some scenes were starting to get interesting, it would cut out and change scenes to where the other characters were, killing the momentum.

Whilst this does sound more like a negative review so far instead of the positive, I will say that the characters, their wide range of personalities and stories, were really interesting and enjoyable to watch. I also really enjoyed the unpredictability of the story, and the different settings used for a zombie drama that I have not seen before: really innovative! I also liked the number of episodes and episode length which I think were spot on. I can predict people may complain about the ending, but for me, I felt satisfied.

The OST was really nice to listen to, as were the SFX and general editing, cinematography and directing.

Whilst it's not the greatest drama ever, it definitely isn't the worst, either. Yes, the first half is a drag, but the second half is so good that it's worth an entire watch.

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What to expect?

You can watch this for a light hearted distraction from real life fall-outs and their chemistry is not too bad. Though as an avid BL fan, i think this series should've focused more on heesu and his love interest rather than the other couple.
Just like every other k-bl, the show focuses more on the confession part yet often falters back on showing their relationship development. The actors were great but the plot could've focused more on heesu and his lover.
I would recommend people watching it but obviously compared to thai, japanese and taiwanese bl, i think korean bls need to be a little bolder by focusing on the boys as they often side track the mls in a mix, gay-staright couple serie just like this one.

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low budget, but quite good except the final...

Sorry, I'm late for this review, because Weak Hero Season 2 took precedence in my time-budget :)

Here we get four different love stories in one series. The first was typical what you would expect from a BL, childhood friends growing into love. The second one is the most interesting one as it involves time-travel. The third one was a very sad one and last one was so weak I asked myself why to include it and "ruin" the series with it.

While the budget was low, the episodes short, the acting was good except the last one but overall miles ahead of most of the thai BLs we "have" to watch. So even the independent small studios can produce a good series with a low budget. I would suggest you skip the last two episodes and enjoy the first six episodes.

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Unexpected in a good way

So.. this is the first Filipino drama I've ever watched and it was a good surprise.

*the plot
Actually at first, the plot reminded me of Korean and Japanese classics like Hana Yori Dango and To the beautiful You if you know what I mean. I guess it's what made the nostalgic me keep watching. The plot uses a lot of clichés but it's still charming in some ways. There are some moments that made me cringe or even want to stop but I ultimately came back. So even if I've seen better this is not the worst plot I've ever seen.

*the actors and their characters
INSANE offscreen and onscreen chemistry, you can feel all the actors are very close and their characters are all very funny and pleasant to follow.

*love story
Even though it's very cliché, the love story is quite well written. I thought the dance scene depicted very well high school love and I was happy to see such a rare scene. I think it's always thanks to the actors but a lot of untold things still make it to the reader and I thought it was really well made.

*the ending
why. of course I want a season two but I hate to have to wait! Anyways I hope they don't ruin it .


Special mention to the OST which has been harassing me for the past weeks.

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More brawls than brains

Huge upgrade at the structure of the storyline compared to its predecessor, a much better core premise than before as it got neater storytelling and more meticulous handling of emotions, all thanks to the mindblowing acting performances from all of the casts. However despite having a great political buildup to begin with, the actual plot development after the clash was initiated actually kind of fall short, most of the time it needs to make up with over the top fighting scenes to push forward the tension, like the final sequence that lasted for almost an episode long, but for the visual excitement though it's definitely worth it.

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Completely shat on the masterpiece that was season 1

Dropped it at episode 4, the first season was so much better it was about survival, sacrifice, relationships, and the astounding resilience of humanity, it was about tearing apart the human psyche and analysing it.

This just feels like we're playing good cop bad cop.

The groundwork that season 1 laid for more exploration of the curse/disease was completely thrown out the window. We were told that nothing that was crucial in the development if season 1 really mattered anymore. All the positive character traits in our central cast that mattered were thrown out. hyunsu's resilience and resolve were boiled down to teenage anger like he was going thru puberty..

So fucking disappointing. I'm dropping this here so that I can keep my happy memories of season 1 safe.

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A heartwarming fun ride.

I really enjoyed this drama!
I loved the plot, the acting, and just the whole vibe.
I'm glad it wasn’t stretched out to 16 episodes the shorter length kept the story tight and never boring.
Even though I’m not sure how realistic it is for someone to be that good of a surgeon (I don't know much about medical stuff anyway), it never felt unrealistic to me. I actually loved seeing the male lead pulling off all sorts of crazy surgeries he made it so fun to watch!
His attitude, his energy everything about him was just so entertaining.
I genuinely liked all the characters, but one of my favorite moments was when the ML threw the Chief onto the couch I laughed SO hard!
And honestly, Dr. Han completely stole the show for me.
His acting was phenomenal I enjoyed every single one of his scenes!

Absolutely loved it!

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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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The lesson behind the story

Having recently completed both Seasons 1 and 2 of "Weak Hero Class 1," I am thoroughly impressed by the series! The storytelling is not only engaging but also intricately crafted, drawing viewers into a world filled with compelling characters and unexpected twists. The fight scenes are nothing short of breathtaking, showcasing a perfect blend of choreography and raw emotion that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The performances delivered by the cast are exceptional; each actor embodies their character with such depth and authenticity that you can’t help but become emotionally invested in their journeys. The series is not just about action; it delves into crucial life lessons, with one of the most profound being the importance of using intellect over sheer physical strength in confrontations.

It's a shame to think that this captivating K-drama could end so soon. I sincerely hope the director and writer continue to brainstorm innovative ideas to expand this series even further, as it has so much potential. My overall rating for "Weak Hero Class 1" surpasses 10 stars, and I would give it an enthusiastic 10 thumbs up for how thoroughly it has captivated my interest! This is a series that deserves to go on and continue to enthrall its audience.

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