Weak Hero Class 1 – Review | Netflix

WEAK HERO: CLASS 1 on Netflix is a series from South Korea (org. title: Yakhanyeongung). It’s a very dark teen thriller based on a webtoon. The season has 8 episodes, and a second season is coming soon. Read our full Weak Hero: Class 1 series review here!

WEAK HERO: CLASS 1 is a new Netflix series from South Korea (org. title: Yakhanyeongung). It’s actually from 2022, but Netflix got on board, and a second season is coming soon. It will be titled Weak Hero: Class 2 and is coming to Netflix within the second quarter of 2025.

The series is based on a webcomic with the same title, which was first published in 2018, so it’s been some time coming. Be warned that this gets very dark and features stories of bullying with violence and extreme consequences. It’s a thriller series, but also very sad and scary.

Continue reading our Weak Hero: Class 1 series review below. Find it on Netflix from March 25, 2025.

In the vein of Adolescence

With the very recent release of the Netflix series Adolescence, I found it impossible not to be reminded of that story as well. Weak Hero: Class 1 isn’t made as a one-shot, nor does it feature a crime that needs to be solved.

Actually, it does feature criminal behaviour from bullies. However, they keep getting away with this. Even when it gets very physical and threats are made.

We follow Yeon Si-Eun (Park Ji-Hoon), a model student who ranks at the top of his high school but is also constantly bullied. Because Yeon Si-Eun appears physically to be a weak boy, his mind is his best weapon.

The bullies are doing what they can to break his spirit, but he refuses to give in. Even though it escalates into physical violence, Yeon Si-eun continues using his smarts and psychology to fight back.

Finally, new people join his class, and he makes friends. The three of them stand together and fight back. Something the bullies do not like. Obviously. And if you think they’re in the clear, things are about to change in new and unexpected ways.

K-Drama or genre production? Both!

Weak Hero: Class 1 premiered by screening the first three episodes at the iconic genre film festival Busan International Film Festival. It received amazing reviews from everyone, often highlighting the acting and story.

While Weak Hero is listed as a “K-Drama” most places, don’t let that fool you into thinking this isn’t actually a genre production. It’s a thriller and action series as much as it’s drama. Sure, it’s also drama (what isn’t?!), but mostly a psychological thriller showing what bullying can lead to.

In essence, you’ll soon realize – if you haven’t already – that everything from South Korea tends to fall under the K-Drama label. However, the fact that it screened at the Busan Film Festival tells you all you need to know. Also, this is definitely not for the weak of heart.

The fact that the setting also reminded me of Adolescence should tell you as much.

Watch Weak Hero: Class 1 on Netflix now

As already mentioned, it’s based on a webtoon (or webcomic) titled “Yakhanyoungwoong”. It was written by Seo Pae-Seu & illustrated by Kim Jin-Seok, and first released on May 5, 2018, via Naver. In 2022, this series adaptation was released on Wavve in South Korea, and now it’s global.

Directors on the series are Yoo Soo-min (who also developed and wrote the series adaptation) and Park Dan-Hee. Check it out if you can stomach the cruelty of extreme bullying and the dangerous consequences of pushing people too far.

The final scene of this first season also teases a continuation while being a stand-alone story that concludes within the eight episodes of the season. If you’ve watched the British Netflix series Adolescence and been blown away by the darkness of teen life, then this is for you.

Also, the second season titled Weak Hero: Class 2 is coming to Netflix within the next few months, so better get on board now to avoid spoilers.

Weak Hero: Class 1 is on Netflix globally from March 25, 2025.

Details

Stars: Park Ji-hoon, Choi Hyun-wook, Hong Kyung