A Dream Born from Tragedy
Park Sae-ro-yi refuses to bow to the son of the most powerful food conglomerate chairman in Korea — and it costs him everything. His father is killed, he is imprisoned for assault, and he emerges years later with nothing but a burning determination to build something of his own. His dream? Open a small bar in the diverse, chaotic neighborhood of Itaewon and eventually destroy the empire that destroyed his family.
Itaewon Class is not just a revenge story. It is a story about chosen family, about fighting for what is right even when the world tells you to compromise, and about creating a space where everyone — regardless of their background, orientation, or past — can belong.
Park Seo-joon Most Iconic Role
Park Seo-joon delivers the defining performance of his career as Park Sae-ro-yi, a man of almost absurd integrity. His refusal to compromise his principles — even when doing so would make his life infinitely easier — could make him seem naive, but Park Seo-joon imbues him with such quiet strength and genuine warmth that you cannot help but root for him.
Kim Da-mi matches him as Jo Yi-seo, a sociopathic genius who becomes obsessed with helping Sae-ro-yi achieve his dream. Her character is morally complicated in ways that female K-drama leads rarely get to be — she is manipulative, ruthless, and genuinely dangerous, yet somehow still sympathetic because every sharp edge is aimed at protecting the people she loves.
Representation That Matters
Itaewon Class broke new ground for Korean television with its portrayal of a transgender character, a Black-Korean character, and an ex-convict as valued members of the DanBam family. These are not token inclusions — each character has their own arc, their own dreams, and their own moments of triumph. The drama never treats their identities as issues to be solved but as facets of fully realized humans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Itaewon Class based on a true story?
Itaewon Class is based on a popular webtoon of the same name, not a true story. However, its themes of entrepreneurial struggle and social acceptance resonate with real experiences worldwide.
Where to watch Itaewon Class?
Itaewon Class is available on Netflix worldwide and was one of the platform most-watched Korean dramas globally.
