South Korea · Drama · 2020
Itaewon Class
Synopsis
After transferring to a new high school, Park Saeroyi is expelled for standing up to a bully whose father runs the food conglomerate Jangga Group. On the day he plans to apologize and return to class, Jangga heir Jang Geun-won runs over and kills Saeroyi's father in a hit-and-run that the family covers up. When Saeroyi retaliates by attacking Geun-won, he is sent to prison, losing his chance at both school and the case against Jangga.
Seven years later, Saeroyi is released and opens a small pub called DanBam in Itaewon, determined to build a business empire that will one day surpass Jangga. He recruits a crew of outsiders: ex-convict Choi Seung-kwon, transgender chef Ma Hyun-yi, and Jo Yi-seo, a brilliant but friendless high schooler who becomes fixated on Saeroyi and eventually takes over as DanBam's manager. His childhood friend Oh Soo-ah, who now works inside Jangga, is caught between her loyalty to Saeroyi and her position at the company he is trying to destroy.
Across sixteen episodes, DanBam grows from a single bar into the restaurant group IC, clashing repeatedly with Jangga's food and beverage division as Saeroyi's team fights corporate sabotage, media attacks, and Geun-won's schemes. Yi-seo's feelings for Saeroyi deepen even as he stays focused on his revenge, and the show follows how his rigid sense of principle is tested by the people who choose to stand with him.
Based on Gwang Jin's webtoon of the same name, "Itaewon Class" aired on JTBC from January to March 2020 and became one of the most-watched Korean dramas of that year, drawing attention for its cast of characters from different backgrounds and its Itaewon setting.
Itaewon Class cast




Best scenes
- Sae Royi’s Stand: The pivotal moment when Park Sae Royi (Park Seo Joon) stands up to the school bully, setting the tone for his unwavering principles and the challenges to come.
- DanBam's Opening Night: The launch of DanBam pub captures the essence of dreams coming to fruition, highlighted by the camaraderie among the team.
- The Showdown at Jangga Co.: Sae Royi’s face-off with Jang Dae Hee (Yoo Jae Myung) in the boardroom is one of the series' tensest confrontations.
- Yi Seo’s Confession: Jo Yi Seo's (Kim Da Mi) heartfelt confession to Sae Royi under the beautiful night sky is both tender and powerful.
- The Final Victory: The cathartic resolution of Sae Royi's long battle against Jangga Co. brings closure and hope.
Filming locations
- Itaewon Neighborhood: The busy streets of Itaewon play a central role, embodying the drama's spirit of diversity and freedom.
- Noksapyeong Station: This area becomes a recurring backdrop, symbolizing the crossroads of the characters' journeys.
- Real Restaurants and Bars: Many scenes were shot in actual Itaewon establishments, adding authenticity to the dining experiences depicted.
- Bukchon Hanok Village: The traditional Korean houses here contrast the modern Itaewon, showcasing Seoul's older architecture.
- Jangga Co. Headquarters: Filmed in sleek, corporate buildings to reflect the power and cold ambition of the conglomerate.
Visual design and costumes
- Character-Specific Styling: Each character's fashion reflects their personality, from Sae Royi’s stoic simplicity to Yi Seo’s edgy and bold choices.
- DanBam’s Aesthetic: The warm, welcoming interior of DanBam contrasts with the cold, imposing design of Jangga Co., emphasizing the drama’s thematic dichotomy.
- Cinematography: The use of saturated colors captures the energy of Itaewon’s streets, while darker tones are used for dramatic moments.
- Costume Evolution: Characters’ styles evolve with their growth, symbolizing their journeys and transformations.
Themes and messages
- Persistence and Revenge: Sae Royi's unwavering determination to achieve his goals and avenge his father embodies the theme of perseverance against all odds.
- Inclusion and Diversity: The show celebrates diversity, showcasing a cast of characters from various backgrounds and challenges societal norms.
- Love and Sacrifice: It explores the complexity of human relationships, highlighting how love can drive individuals to great lengths.
- Entrepreneurship and Ethics: The series examines the moral dilemmas faced in the business world, contrasting ethical integrity with ruthless ambition.
Interesting facts
- Webtoon Adaptation: Based on a popular webtoon, the drama brings to life the beloved characters with added depth.
- Cultural Impact: "Itaewon Class" sparked interest in Itaewon and its culture, promoting discussions about social issues.
- Global Popularity: The series achieved international fame, resonating with viewers worldwide for its compelling storytelling and themes.
- Soundtrack Success: The drama’s OST became hugely popular, with tracks that perfectly complement the series' emotional landscape.
Real-life loves on set
There have been no confirmed reports of real-life romantic relationships developing among the main cast of "Itaewon Class" during or after filming. While the drama's compelling storytelling and the strong chemistry between its characters captured the hearts of viewers worldwide, any off-screen relationships among the cast members have remained purely speculative.
The cast of "Itaewon Class," including Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi, Ahn Bo-hyun, and others, have been professional in their interactions, focusing on the success of the series and their performances. They have shared positive experiences working together and expressed mutual respect and admiration for one another in various interviews, but they have not indicated any romantic involvement beyond their roles in the drama.
Episodes
| Ep | Title | Air date | Status | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Will Become Even Stronger (저는 더욱더 강해지겠습니다) On his first day at a new school, Park Saeroyi refuses to back down from bullies backed by the powerful Jangga family, while Oh Soo-ah focuses on getting into university. | 31 Jan 2020 | Aired | |
| 2 | "When?" "In Seven Years!" ("언제쯤?" "7년 후에!") Behind bars, Saeroyi sets a long-term goal for his revenge as Soo-ah weighs a tempting offer from Jang Dae-hee. | 1 Feb 2020 | Aired | |
| 3 | My Plan Is Fifteen Years Long... Just Wait (내 계획은 15년짜리니까... 기대해라) Freshly released, Saeroyi's path crosses with troublemaker Jo Yi-seo while his new bar DanBam struggles to draw customers. | 7 Feb 2020 | Aired | |
| 4 | Did You Report Her, Unnie? (혹시, 언니가 신고했어요?) Choi Seung-kwon slips back into old habits, and Saeroyi steps in when a night out turns dangerous for Yi-seo. | 8 Feb 2020 | Aired | |
| 5 | You Always Shine Too Much (넌 항상 지나치게... 빛나) DanBam gets a makeover before reopening as Yi-seo, Seung-kwon and Jang Geun-soo unexpectedly run into each other at a nightclub. | 14 Feb 2020 | Aired | |
| 6 | I Like You, Boss, So You Have to Be Ruined, Unnie (제가 사장님 좋아해요, 그니까.. 언니 망가져야겠다) Dae-hee starts watching DanBam closely, Saeroyi clashes with Geun-won at a TV station, and Yi-seo disappoints her mother. | 15 Feb 2020 | Aired | |
| 7 | The First Punch Matters in a Fight, and It Lands on the Back of the Head! (싸움은 선빵이 중요해, 그리고 선빵은 뒤통수에!) An unwelcome visitor shows up at DanBam as Saeroyi makes a bold pitch to Kang Min-jung and opens up to Yi-seo about his past. | 21 Feb 2020 | Aired | |
| 8 | You Never Took Anything From Me (당신은 나한테서 어떤 것도 빼앗지 못했어) DanBam is hit with bad news that Saeroyi refuses to let break him, while Geun-soo uncovers a painful truth and Kim Toni faces discrimination. | 22 Feb 2020 | Aired | |
| 9 | I'll Smash Everything (내가 다 부셔버릴거야) Relocating to a quieter street brings new problems for DanBam's crew as Dae-hee starts taking a closer interest in Saeroyi's team. | 28 Feb 2020 | Aired | |
| 10 | I Too Make the Same Promise With Everything I Have (저도… 제 모든 것을 걸고 같은 약속을 합니다) Jangga's reputation takes a public hit, forcing Dae-hee to make a decision that could determine the company's future. | 29 Feb 2020 | Aired | |
| 11 | Boss, I Love You... I Said I Love You (사장님, 사랑해요… 사랑한다고) Ma Hyun-yi's viral TV appearance opens a major opportunity for DanBam while Geun-soo pushes harder for what he wants. | 6 Mar 2020 | Aired | |
| 12 | A Thousand Fires Are Boiling Inside Me (속에서 천불이 끓어오른다…) While weathering a new crisis, Saeroyi and Yi-seo meet a possible investor as Hyun-yi prepares for the competition's final round. | 7 Mar 2020 | Aired | |
| 13 | Are You Scared the CEO Might Like Me? (두렵구나? 대표님이 나 좋아할까 봐…) Geun-soo edges closer to his goal as Saeroyi and his team push DanBam's business to a new level. | 13 Mar 2020 | Aired | |
| 14 | I Guess I'm Starting to Feel Like a Woman to Him (내가 조금은 여자로 느껴지나 보다…) Yi-seo pushes herself to exhaustion taking charge of the team's new strategy against Jangga, alarming Saeroyi. | 14 Mar 2020 | Aired | |
| 15 | I'm Afraid It Will Go Wrong (잘못될까 봐 무서워) Searching for Yi-seo, Seung-kwon confronts his old boss while Dae-hee gets a warning from Soo-ah and a threatening call from Geun-won. | 20 Mar 2020 | Aired | |
| 16 | You Made Me Kneel ("저를, 무릎 꿇리셨습니다") Yi-seo flees from a vengeful Geun-won as a desperate Dae-hee heads to DanBam to save what remains of his legacy. | 21 Mar 2020 | Aired |




