Itaewon Class
Itaewon Class is a compelling South Korean television series that blends elements of drama, revenge, and slice-of-life storytelling. The narrative centers on Park Sae-royi, an ex-convict and high school dropout, who opens a bar-restaurant named DanBam in the vibrant Itaewon district of Seoul. Driven by a desire for justice and revenge against a powerful food conglomerate responsible for his father's death and his own hardships, Sae-royi gathers a diverse team of outcasts and misfits. The series explores themes of perseverance, integrity, discrimination, and the pursuit of dreams against overwhelming odds, while navigating complex personal relationships and business rivalries. It is targeted at a mature audience due to its themes and portrayal of societal issues.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe series prominently features a transgender character, Ma Hyun-yi, whose journey of self-acceptance and public recognition is a significant and positively portrayed storyline. The drama is set in Itaewon, a district known for its diversity and LGBTQ+ friendly spaces, reinforcing themes of acceptance for marginalized individuals.
Ma Hyun-yi, portrayed by Lee Joo-young, is a transgender chef at DanBam who is saving money for sex reassignment surgery. Her gender identity is revealed during a cooking competition, and she faces public scrutiny, but is strongly supported by Park Sae-royi and the DanBam team, who prioritize her well-being over potential business backlash. Additionally, Itaewon, the setting for the series, is explicitly mentioned as a diverse neighborhood known for its international atmosphere and gay clubs, providing a fitting backdrop for the show's inclusive themes.
Violence
HighThe drama contains intense and impactful scenes of violence, central to the protagonist's revenge plot. This includes brutal physical assaults and a significant death that drives much of the narrative.
Early in the series, Park Sae-royi punches Jang Geun-won for bullying a classmate, leading to his expulsion. Later, after his father is killed in a motorcycle accident caused by Jang Geun-won, Sae-royi violently beats Geun-won, resulting in his imprisonment for three years. Sae-royi also physically intervenes and punches a 'violent jerk' who is bothering Jo Yi-seo, demonstrating protective but aggressive actions.
Profanity
HighThe drama includes instances of strong language and Korean swear words used by characters, particularly during emotional or confrontational scenes, reflecting the intensity of conflicts.
Characters are explicitly noted to use Korean swear words. For example, Park Sae-royi uses '개새끼' (gae-sae-ggi, similar to 'son of a bitch') when beating Jang Geun-won for his father's murder. Oh Soo-a is cited for using '재수 없어' (jaesu eobs-eo, meaning 'you suck') to express extreme disappointment or anger. The term '지랄' (ji-ral, meaning 'bullshit') is also mentioned in the context of heated arguments between characters.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe series contains emotionally intense and suspenseful situations driven by themes of revenge, betrayal, discrimination, and the struggle against powerful adversaries. While not horror-based, these elements create significant tension and dramatic stakes.
The plot's core revolves around Park Sae-royi's years-long quest for revenge against the powerful Jangga Group for his father's death and his own unjust imprisonment. This pursuit involves high-stakes business battles, legal confrontations, and personal risks. The ongoing discrimination faced by the diverse DanBam team, including a biracial character being denied entry to a club, contributes to the intense societal commentary.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellion against authority figures and societal norms are central to the protagonist's character arc and a recurring theme throughout the series. This defiance is often portrayed as a positive trait in the fight for justice and personal integrity.
Park Sae-royi exemplifies rebellion from the start by refusing to apologize to CEO Jang Dae-hee for defending a bullied classmate, despite knowing it would lead to his expulsion and his father's job loss. Jo Yi-seo, often described as a 'sociopath' due to her callous behavior and 'rude attitude,' also displays rebellious tendencies, especially in challenging societal expectations and pursuing her own path rather than her mother's. Sae-royi's entire journey is a sustained act of defiance against a corrupt system and powerful individuals.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe series features romantic relationships, including love triangles, and scenes involving kissing and implied intimacy. One scene, in particular, where a character kisses another without explicit consent, has been noted as potentially problematic.
There are multiple instances of kissing between characters, such as between Park Sae-royi and Jo Yi-seo, which are part of the developing romantic storylines. A specific scene drew criticism where Jo Yi-seo kisses a sleeping Park Sae-royi. Some viewers described this act as 'creepy' and 'close to sexual harassment,' highlighting issues of consent.
Substance Use
MediumAlcohol consumption is a prominent and frequent element of the series, as the main setting is a pub/bar and Korean drinking culture is depicted. However, explicit drug abuse or heavy smoking by main characters as a central plot point is not significantly present.
Characters, particularly Park Sae-royi and his staff, are frequently shown consuming alcohol (soju, beer) in their pub, DanBam, as part of their daily lives and social interactions. The drama indirectly portrays Korean drinking culture and etiquettes. While generalized discussions about drug and alcohol abuse in Itaewon exist in real-world contexts, specific instances of drug abuse by characters in the show are not highlighted as a significant concern. Smoking is also not a prominent feature among the main characters, though general K-drama discussions note its occasional presence in other series.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowNo elements of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or explicit supernatural themes are central or significantly depicted in the series.
The narrative focuses on realistic human struggles, business competition, and social issues, without incorporating supernatural or occult elements. There are no mentions of characters engaging in or encountering such themes.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowNo explicit anti-Christian themes or mockery of Christian beliefs are found within the narrative of Itaewon Class. The series does not prominently feature religious content, either positively or negatively, in a way that targets Christian faith.
The show primarily focuses on social, business, and personal challenges in a secular context. There is no indication of characters or plotlines directly criticizing, demeaning, or promoting anti-Christian sentiments. General discussions about religion in K-dramas do not specifically link Itaewon Class to negative portrayals of Christianity.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
15+ (Netflix rating). This recommendation is due to the presence of mature themes including intense violence, frequent alcohol consumption, strong language, and the positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ and gender identity themes which may require parental guidance and discussion.
Additional Notes
Itaewon Class is a drama with strong messages about standing up for one's beliefs, challenging societal prejudice, and finding family among those who are marginalized. Parents should be aware of the mature themes, including revenge, violence, and strong language, as well as the prominent and positively portrayed LGBTQ+ storyline. The show's depiction of a diverse workforce in a lively urban setting offers opportunities for discussion on social issues.
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