Itaewon Class

Park Sae-ro-yi leaves prison with a clear aim: to overturn the life that was taken from him and build something his way. He opens a small bar in Seoul's Itaewon district and slowly gathers a mismatched crew, including a sharp, socially savvy manager, an old friend loyal to the core, and others who bring skill and baggage. Together they try to grow a modest neighborhood spot into a real business while a powerful rival with personal ties and corporate muscle keeps blocking their path. The show follows their plans, setbacks, and alliances as ambitions, grudges, and ideals collide, without giving away how any of the fights end.

Released in 2020, the series was directed by Kim Seong-yoon and credits Cho Kwang-jin as creator, drawing on a serialized source. The cast is led by Park Seo-jun, Kim Da-mi, Kwon Na-ra, You Chea-myung, and Ahn Bo-hyun, whose performances are central to the story.

The series received numerous nominations at South Korean television award events and attracted industry recognition for its ensemble and production values. Critics and year-end panels frequently singled out the leads, and the show helped raise several cast members' profiles within the industry and among international audiences.

Itaewon Class reached viewers outside Korea through global streaming, and the setting itself became a talking point. Restaurants, street fashion, and interest in small, independent food businesses were all affected as viewers looked for real-world parallels. The show's use of a diverse urban neighborhood and its focus on underdogs running a small operation sparked discussions on representation and entrepreneurship.

Critical reception was generally favorable, reflected in a vote average of 8.405/10 (383 votes). Reviewers praised the chemistry among the leads and the way character conflicts drive the plot. Major themes include revenge and redemption, social inequality, the ethics of business, and found-family dynamics. The tone mixes ambition with personal stakes, and it's the characters and their relationships that keep the series engaging rather than relying on plot twists alone.