Fast Facts and Notes:

• Title: Itaewon Class (이태원 클라쓰)
• Release / Platform: 2020 | JTBC & Netflix
• Episodes: 16
• Genre: Drama, Revenge, Business, Coming-of-Age
• Lead Cast: Park Seo-joon as Park Sae-ro-yi , Kim Da-mi Jo Yi-seo, Yoo Jae-myung as Jang Dae-hee, Kwon Nara as Oh Soo-ah
• Spoiler Policy: Mild spoilers (Only covers the setup premise and inciting incidents from Episodes 1–2).

The Vibe Check: Stepping into Itaewon’s Neon Alleyways

Image Credit: Photo by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash

The Premise: Episode 1-2 Synopsis

The first episode of the riveting series focuses on Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon), a principled teenager who transfers to a new high school where he physically intervenes when a wealthy chaebol classmate Jang-Geun-won (Ahn Bo-hyun) bullies and intimidates a student. Geun-won is the heir to Jangga Co., an ultra-powerful conglomerate where Sae-ro-yi’s father Park Sung-yeol (Son Hyun-Ju) works. When the callous Chairman Jang Dae-hee (Yoo Jae-myung) learns that his employee’s son punched Geun-won, he insists that Sae-ro-yi kneel and apologize to keep his place at school. Sae-ro-yi refuses to bend hid knee and compromise his own morals. Rather than urging his son, to cooperate his father backs his son’s integrity which ultimately leads to Sae-ro-yi’s prompt expulsion and his father’s inevitable resignation. However, they set their sights on a new endeavor—opening up a small family-run pub.

In the midst of making preparations for their new enterprise, a sudden hit-and-run takes his father’s life which becomes the fundamental trigger that sets the story in motion. Sae-ro-yi soon unveils that the culprit is directly tied to Jangga Co., but the chaebol family use their wealth and influential backing to swiftly conceal the truth. In a state of grief and indignation Sae-ro-yi publicly confronts Geun-won, a scuffle that leads to Sae-yo-ri’s arrest and three year prison sentence. Instead of waiting for time to pass, Sae-ro-yi meticulously studies Chairman Jang’s autobiography. He transforms his pain and rage into ambition: he will avenge his late father and take down Jangga Co. by growing superior business from the ground up.

After his release and now in his twenties, he visits the bustling, neon-lit Itaewon to visit his classmate Oh Soo-ah (Kwon Nara). Sae-ro-yi becomes instantly mesmerized by the nightlife district’s vibrant, diverse energy, and vows to open his pub, DanBam (“단밤,” translates to “Sweet Night”) in the heart of Itaewon. From this moment, He commits to the ultimate 15-year plan to throughly carry out his revenge. In the process of cultivating a thriving business, he meets a group of underdogs who match his energy and bring the pub to life.

The Street Culture and Seoul’s most Vibrant Neighborhood:

The Itaewon district, is an iconic area of Seoul that attracts visitors from all over the world. The district is nestled in Itaewon-Dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. It is widely known for being the “Western Quarter” and multicultural hub of Seoul. The series captures the cultural melting-pot and energetic atmosphere. The home of the fictional DanBam pub enhances the series themes of diversity and genuine acceptance.

The DanBam Squad: Refreshing Characters & Found Family

Beyond it’s high-stakes revenge, Itaewon Class is truly elevated by its fiercely loyal and unapologetic cast of misfits who create a home in DanBam, finding solidarity and compassion in one another. As the pub flourishes, so does the DanBam crew. This ragtag group becomes a true “found family” to Sae-ro-yi—believing in his vision and transforming a once-struggling pub into a powerhouse of unyielding ambition and a sanctuary of genuine acceptance. Proving to be the heart of the series, they build a safe harbor where past mistakes and individuality aren’t seen as flaws, but as strengths.

Park Sae-ro-yi’s leadership and calm presence become the grounding anchor for DanBam. His unshakeable principles and accepting nature empower the team. His chemistry with the crew is unmatched, especially with Jo Yi-seo (Kim Da-mi)—a bold, fiery, and extremely intelligent member of his found family. Rather than leading with a cold authority like Chairman Jang, Sae-ro-yi leads with conviction and an uncompromising moral code.

Beats & Visuals: The Soundtrack of Seoul

Goal: Talk about technical highlights like music and pacing.

• The OST hit “Start Over” or “시작” (Sijak) by Gaho is the core anthem written for the series, and seamlessly integrates into key moments of Sae-ro-yi’s journey. The track is uplifting and evokes a mood of youthful optimism, representing his rewarding leap forward after facing adversity in his younger years. The song underscores the vital theme of fresh starts and perseverance intrinsic to Sae-ro-yi and his found familys’ unwavering moral code. Gaho’s strong vocals the songs crescendo and high-energy chorus structure perfectly encapsulate the series message of resilience and second chances.

Itaewon Class Scorecard

Category	Score / Impression
Plot & Revenge Engine	[4.7/5] — the slow-burn “revenge” was satisfying to watch and i thoroughly enjoyed seeing Sae-ro-yi’s growth and unwavering conviction. However, there was a tonal shift in the latter half of the series where the series transitioned from a feel-good chronicle of a found family to an intense and logistical corporate saga which may feel abrupt to some.
Acting & Character Dynamics	[4.8/5] — Park Seo-joon embodies the titular character’s calm charisma and contemplative demeanor to a T. Kim Da-Mi impeccably portrays his polar opposite counterpart in a way that feels authentic and believable. Although I was left wanting more screen time of the other crew members like Kim Toni (Chris Lyon) and Seung-kwon (Ryu Kyung-soo) to see their respective actors shine.
Cinematography & Setting	[5/5] —The vibrant, glowing nightlife of Itaewon feels so tangible and servers as the perfect backdrop. It is wonderful how it brings out the best in Sae-ro-yi and the DanBam Crew.
Soundtrack (OST) & Vibe	[5/5] — The series is one of, if not the most inspiring, effective OST’s ever composed. The soundtrack compliments the mood and guiding principle of the series so beautifully.

Final Verdict & Rating 🏁

Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Itaewon Class proves to be a one-of-a-kind, gripping underdog story that is truly satisfying to watch. The series stands out among others in the Netflix catalog for its authenticity and diverse representation.

Featured Image Credit: Still courtesy of JTBC / Netflix (via HanCinema)

Discussion Corner:

• Who is your favorite member of the DanBam crew and why?