Weak Hero Class 2 is taking over Netflix by storm. From thrilling fight scenes and unsettling scenarios to a deeper introspective storyline, season two takes viewers to a place unlike before.
Season 1 of Weak Hero Class was an emotionally packed series with plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments. The story was gripping and filled with cliff-hangers that effortlessly hooked viewers. With such a powerful start and wonderful portrayal of the hit webtoon, fans wondered just how well season two could hold up to its stellar start. For some, season two could be hit or miss despite the overwhelmingly positive response.
Season two still depicts Yoon Si Eun (Park Ji Hoon) as a loner after transferring schools, battling with his regrets and unwanted rivalries while Ahn Suho remains comatose. In the webtoon, Si Eun’s past is depicted with flashbacks but the series fleshed it out more in Season 1 which helped the connections feel more genuine. Over time, Si Eun befriends others and begins to smile again in a cliche manner. Although the dynamic of his new social group is comical, the on-screen gang of friends occurred unrealistically and feel like a plot device. The sudden friendship felt rushed compared to season one. Unexpected and even undeveloped at times.
Moreover, the current school gang scenario regarding ‘The Union’ feels childish next to season one’s terrifying gang war. Season one left viewers sweating in their seats worried over the absolute brutality and ruthlessness of thugs harming runaway youth and school students. However, season two does maintain its edge and has its own thrilling moments. Of course fight scenes are quite the spectacle and even excel the first season’s intense scenarios at times. Viewers will be entertained by Si Eun’s raw strength and recollecting Suho’s battle tips alongside new fighters like Baku (Ryeoun) and other interesting cast members.
As more school villains continue to be introduced and fight over turf, the tension does heighten and piques our interest. These high school students seem vile and unforgiving– real menace to society vibes. The casting was well done and each person showcases the typical school delinquent cliche well but the traumatic experiences of season one had more impact. If Si Eun can act unscathed from his takedown of an unlawful, violent drug dealing criminal then a few over entitled school bullies should be nothing, right?
Hopefully, season two doesn’t take the direction of Hierarchy by overdoing the “I’m rich and better than you” routine. K-Dramas do not need another “rich people get away with everything” plot. If the directors keep the webtoon in mind, they can avoid becoming generic and enhance the storyline further. Hopefully, Si Eun can continue to serve justice in this season and the next? For now, the war is more mental and calculated as main antagonist Na Baek Jin comes into play.
Na Baek Jin (Bae Nara) controls and schemes through ‘The Union,’ using both his mental and physical strength, alongside his wealth, to get the job done. The season reveals Baek Jin shares a complicated relationship with Baku, a strong fighter who keeps the peace between schools. Baku saved Baek Jin from bullies but feels responsible for Baek Jin’s uprising and threats against the friend group. Like Baku, Si Eun shows his strengthened bond with his new found friends is precious but remains frequently plagued with guilt over Suho’s condition and doesn’t want him being involved in this battle. Unfortunately, it seems Si Eun’s past is weaponized against him and we can only hope Si Eun overcomes this new mental battlefield.
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Overall, Weak Hero Class 2 absolutely keeps viewers glued to the screen. The casting is well done, pacing is perfect and Si Eun continues to develop into a more interesting character. While the storyline doesn’t have the same dramatic punch as season one, it doesn’t take away from the intensity of the series and propels it into a new direction while remaining true to the webtoon. For fans of action series, it is an absolute must-watch. It will delight with its new portrayal of school violence alongside a story that doesn’t shy away from exposing the negatives in Korea’s picture perfect society masked by other K-Dramas. (9/10)
