Weak Hero Class 2: Redemption and character 

The critically acclaimed Korean drama Weak Hero Class 1, starring former Wanna One member Park Ji-hoon, has announced the release of its second season. The long-awaited release has faced a variety of responses from fans of both the webtoon and the first season.  

Despite many webtoon readers’ disappointment at the removal of vital characters, the second season has received particularly high ratings from its K-drama watchers, with a 91% rating on Asian Wiki. 

The second season picks up from its predecessor with Su-ho in a coma and Si-eun’s quest for revenge, leading to his subsequent expulsion from school. Enter Eunjang High, a known school full of delinquents. The rumours of Si-eun’s expulsion have followed him to Eunjang High, creating a reputation that draws the attention of Hyo-man, the school bully. Si-eun now faces new problems in the form of the Union, a gang affiliated with most schools in the area. With the help of other Eunjang members, Hu-min, Hyun-tak, and Jun-tae, Si-eun takes on this next chapter of disbanding the Union and bringing peace and safety back to Eunjang High.  

The season was met with high praise for Si-eun’s character development

The focus on Si-eun’s strength and will has been heavily highlighted throughout this season, as he continuously faced off against those much stronger than him. Living up to the show’s name, he owns his title as a ‘Weak Hero’ through his wit and understanding of situations. This season truly has built up Si-eun’s character, expanding on the raw fight he possessed in the final episodes of season one, brought on by Su-ho’s injury. Many fans find this development has been a refreshing change; seeing the main character become stronger, building on the desperation he has shown in the first season.

Many have pointed out that despite the changes to the webtoon, Si-eun’s coma only added to our understanding of his character. By depicting his comatose brain in the same boxing ring that caused Su-ho’s own coma, and using Beom-seok, Si-eun’s friend-turned-enemy, to represent Si-eun’s subconscious, the director showcases the grief and guilt Si-eun carries for Suho’s state. Si-eun is undoubtedly a complex character – driven by friendship but also weakened by his ever-present doubts. The raw acting from Park Ji-hoon and Hong Kyung, playing Beom-seok, allowed both characters to truly be understood and for Si-eun to come to terms with his past to save Eunjang. 

Many fans have also been particularly interested in the relationship between Si-eun and Su-ho, portrayed by Choi Hyun-wook. The series has gained a lot of attraction from the queer community, as Si-eun and Su-ho have seemingly gone beyond simple friendship. Although Weak Hero Class is an action drama, the action in the first season largely stemmed from Si-eun and Su-ho’s protective natures towards one another. Si-eun’s desperation to protect Su-ho has seeped into the second season, as Geum Seong-je uses Su-ho as leverage against him. This desperation has been seen as romantic, as confirmed by actor Park Ji-hoon who said: “For Si-eun, it could be like a first love,” when asked to comment on the nature of their relationship. With Su-ho waking up at the end of the season and Si-eun’s need to reach out to him, the relationship between Su-ho and Si-eun has been left up to the audience’s interpretation. 

Original fans of the webtoon are upset to see the changes made in this adaptation

Although the season was met with high praise for Si-eun’s character development, original fans of the webtoon are upset to see the changes director Yoo Soo-min has made in this adaptation. A fan stated: “The friendship of Ben Park’s [Baku] gang was heartwarming to see, the actors have brought out the characters well, however, it has felt rushed.” With only eight episodes per season, many have been disappointed with the pacing, as the fan continues: “We have not truly gotten to see the backstories of characters like Baek-jin even though it has been slightly touched upon.” The season ended with the death of Baek-jin following the infamous Eunjang vs. the Union fight, leaving fans wondering about Baek-jin’s death and why he initially had joined the Union.

One can only hope the mysterious circumstances surrounding Baek-jin’s death and the unexplored-yet-obvious relationship between Su-ho and Si-eun, amongst many other questions left unanswered, are indicators of a third season yet to come.