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5 Reasons To Start Watching "Itaewon Class" With Park SeoJoon

"Itaewon Class" is not yet in your watchlist? Here 5 reasons to start watching "Itaewon Class" with Park SeoJoon.

Laure, Kpopmap Editor
4 min to read · Published : Feb 10, 2020

Are you still hesitating to start the new drama "Itaewon Class"? Then reading these 5 reasons why it should be on your watchlist might help you decide.

"Itaewon Class" is set in an irrational world where the “hip” revolt of young people -who are united in stubbornness and courage- starts. Itaewon seems to have condensed all the world. In this little street, they are looking for their own freedom based on their values. “Itaewon Class” is their foundation legend where they open a food-related business.

Park SeoJoon and Kim DaMi are the lead actors of this JTBC drama which started on Jan. 31. It is available on Netflix. For more about the drama and original webtoon, you can check our cast and summary here.

This review is written after watching the first four episodes. I would recommend watching until episode 3 before deciding to drop the drama or not as the first two episodes are just lying down the background story.

1- Acting king Park SeoJoon

Top actor Park SeoJoon is one of the first reasons to watch this drama. The actor always proves his solid acting skills and his own way of developing characters. As expected of him, he does not disappoint with this drama.

He is acting as Park SaeRoy whose life got destroyed by a chaebol family in the foodservice. He is trying to get up and take revenge on them by becoming successful by opening his own food-related business.

From the first episodes, he drew us in his characters with poignant scenes.

2- Interesting and fresh characters

Park SaeRoy is an interesting character but the drama has plenty of other characters that make this story even more entertaining.

There is no time to be bored between the badass anti-social character, the ones with difficult past and stories, the bully turned bad guy, and much more. It is just the start of the drama and more are to be introduced.

3- Solid thrilling background story

The main story revolves around Park SaeRoy (and co.) versus Jangka chairman (and co.) on who he wants to take revenge. The two men and surrounding characters are linked in everything from past to present making the plot thrilling with burning encounters.

From the first episodes, the plot seems solid and catchy.

4- Complex love triangle

It is not a simple love story. "Itaewon Class" has two unique female characters so the love triangle is quite interesting. One is the first love for who Park SaeRoy had a crush for over 10 years. He is ready to forgive everything she does. He has only eyes for her.

However, the second girl appeared and she is ready to steal his heart because she knows he is the one. Can Park SaeRoy forget his first and only love? The love story built up anticipation.

5- Touching serious subjects

This drama touches on serious subjects such as grief and depression. Kim DaMi as Jo YiSeo is the author of many of these lines such as "Life is a series of choices", "I bet I'll be exhausted my entire life", and much more. Park SaeRoy is fighting against injustice and grief in an unfair world where the richer have power.

The overall tone of the drama is not that bright with gloomy and down-to-earth issues.

Bonus reason - Itaewon

Itaewon is a district of Seoul (South Korea) which is not often covered in Korean drama, giving K-Drama viewers a "new" set and "new" area to discover.

Kim DaMi

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KDRAMA RATINGS

Top 19 JTBC Dramas With The Highest Ratings Ever (2024 Update)

Here are the top K-Dramas with the highest ratings on JTBC.

YuJun, Kpopmap Editor
7 min to read · Published : Jan 23, 2024 · Updated : Feb 27, 2024

JTBC

TV Network JTBC is one of the most popular networks whose dramas have gotten global recognition for their interesting storylines, great locations, and famous actors.

Here are the top dramas with the highest ratings on the JTBC network.

Please note that these ratings are the highest ratings ever reached, not the dramas' total average ratings.

1. "World Of The Married" - 28.4%

JTBC

The thriller drama released in 2020 is still regarded as one of the most compelling K-Dramas to date. Starring Kim HeeAe, Park HaeJoon, and Han SoHee the K-Drama 2 years after its release still rank number 1 with the highest ratings in the network's history as it has an all-time high viewer rating of 28.4%.

2. "Reborn Rich" - 26.9%

JTBC

When a loyal employee of a conglomerate is murdered by his employers, he has a chance to get his revenge as he is reborn as the grandson of the family. Armed with the knowledge of the future and the company, he steadily gains the influence and power he needs to become the next chairman of the company. However, even with his knowledge and smarts, his path is not a rosy one as other forces create stumbling blocks on his way toward revenge. Starring Song JoongKi, Shin HyunBin, and Lee SungMin, with its engrossing storyline, the series gripped the attention of many viewers which saw its ratings reach an impressive high of 26.9%.

3. "SKY Castle" - 23.8%

JTBC

The drama that centers around the lives of four women and their families has been quite popular for its deep, real, and meaningful storyline that had a grip on the reality that many viewers faced. Released in 2019, the drama with a stellar cast featuring actors like Kim SeoHyung, Yoon SeAh, Yum JungAh, Kim HyeYoon, and Oh NaRa, to name a few, ranks high on this list with 23.8% viewer ratings.

4. "Doctor Cha" - 18.5%

JTBC

"Doctor Cha" reached one of the best-ever ratings for JTBC dramas. This 2023 medical drama starring Uhm JungHwa, Kim ByungChul, Myung SeBin, and Min WooHyuk started with 4.9% and rapidly gained popularity. It reached 18.5% with its 12th and final episode.

5. "Itaewon Class" - 16.5%

JTBC

The webtoon-based drama that gained prominent global recognition in 2020 with 16.5% ratings. Starring top actors Park SeoJun and Kim DaMi the youth-themed fast-paced K-Drama was a refreshing story that engrossed the minds of the viewers with its realistic storyline, impressive dialogues, and an OST that many refer to as one of the best.

6. "Agency" - 16.0%

JTBC

"Agency" starring Lee BoYoung, Son NaEun, Jo SungHa, and Han JoonWoo was popular and even reached 16.0% with its last episode when it only started at 4.8%. Viewers have been captivated by Lee BoYoung's character, Go AhIn, who becomes the first female executive member of a large advertising agency.

7. "King The Land" - 13.8%

JTBC

"King The Land" starring 2PM's JunHo and Girls' Generation's Yoona was popular not only worldwide but also in Korea. The romance between the heir of King Hotel and his hardworking employee gained more and more audience with their swoon-worthy scenes. Starting with 5.1%, the drama reached 13.8% with its final episode.

8. "Welcome to Samdal-ri" - 12.4%

JTBC

The 2023-2024 romantic comedy "Welcome to Samdal-ri" starring the two popular and talented actors Ji ChangWook and Shin HaeSun was popular. The drama tells the story of two childhood friends with an unfinished romance who reunited after a famous photographer faces a scandal and returns to her hometown in Jeju Island. The drama started at 5.2% and reached its best-ever ratings at 12.4% with its final episode.

9. "The Lady Of Dignity" - 12.1%

JTBC

The K-Drama series follows the life of a woman whose life turns around when her father-in-law loses all his finances and a mysterious caregiver with a heartbreaking story who moves in with the family to take care of him. With its clever storyline and impressive performances by its cast, the drama released in 2017 and starring Woh AhJin and Kim SunAh has a high rating of 12.1% on the network.

10. "The Good Bad Mother" - 12.0%

JTBC

The 2023 drama "The Good Bad Mother" starring Ra MiRan, Lee DoHyun, Ahn EunJin, and Yoo InSoo was popular. From the start of the drama at 3.6% to the final episode at 12.0% the drama had a constant rise in ratings and interest. Lee DoHyun acts as a cold prosecutor and one day an accident made him become like a child and he went to live back with his mom acted by Ra MiRan.

11. "Strong Girl NamSoon" - 10.4%

JTBC

"Strong Girl NamSoon" is the spinoff of the popular drama "Strong Girl BongSoon" starring Lee YouMi, Kim JungEun, Kim HaeSook , Ong SeongWu, and Byeon WooSeok. The rom-com follows three strong women born with supernatural powers and how they fight a drug cartel. The comedy earned a lot of interest like "Strong Girl BongSoon" which reached 10.4% with its final episode.

12. "Dazzling" - 9.7%

JTBC

The mystery melodrama centers around a woman who mysteriously ages while trying to tamper with time in order to save her father. Now 70 years old, she embarks on a journey towards reverting the changes while also dealing with how to approach her family and friends who cannot recognize her and a young lover whose affection she holds dearly. Starring Han JiMin, Kim HeeJa, and Nam JooHyuk, the 2019 drama was well loved.

12. "Strong Girl BongSoon" - 9.7%

JTBC

The rom-com follows a woman born with supernatural powers and a tech CEO who seeks her protection as he is a target by an unknown individual. Starring Park BoYoung and Park HyungSik, the funny and interesting series reached 9.7% viewership ratings.

13. "Divorce Attorney Shin" - 9.5%

JTBC

"Divorce Attorney Shin" aired in 2023. The drama started at 7.3% and ended at the high ratings of 9.5%. Cho SeungWoo acts as Shin SungHan a professor who turns into a lawyer specializing in divorce. In 12 episodes, this refreshing law drama stole the hearts of viewers.

14. "My Kids Give Me A Headache" - 9.2%

JTBC

The family drama follows the storyline of three-generational families who live in one house. Filled with so much love, and warmth, and depicting the inter-family relationship as seen today, the series released in 2013 portrays a storyline that also showcases the way societies view families and the different forms the word takes. Each episode saw high ratings as viewers were extensively engrossed by the storyline. The drama reached 9.2% ratings.

15. "Misty"- 8.5%

JTBC

The story is about a popular anchorwoman who becomes a prime suspect in a murder case and her ex-husband who was once a prosecutor but is now a public defender and takes up her case. A story about the complicated thread of love and reconciliation, the series was released in 2018, stars Kim NamJoo and Jin JiHee whose brilliant portrayal of their characters led to the success of the series which got a high viewership rating of 8.5% on the network.

16. "Doctor Slump" - 8.2%

JTBC

Park HyungSik and Park ShinHye take on the role of doctors who ended up in a slump in "Doctor Slump". The casting and story grabbed the interest of many reaching 8.2% with its 10th episode.

17. "Thirty-Nine" - 8.1%

JTBC

This melodrama revolves around the deep story of friendship, love and life of three friends who are about to turn 40. The drama stars prominent actresses Son YeJin, Jeon MiDo and Kim JiHyun. With the chemistry of the said actresses and the touching element of the tearjerker, the high rating of 8.1% achieved by the drama was no longer a surprise.

18. "Forecasting Love and Weather" - 7.8%

JTBC

The office romance drama that stars prominent K-Drama stars Park MinYoung, Song Kang, Yoon Bak, and Girl's Day YuRa portrays the story of the staff of the National Weather Service, the complications of love in the workplace, the dynamics of family, and the societal demands and expectations on youths today.

19. "The Good Detective" - 7.6%

JTBC

The riveting crime drama filled with so much suspense, twist, and turns ranks number 10 on this list with 7.6% ratings. Starring Lee Elijah, Jang SeungJo, and Son HyunJoo the series capture the journey of a veteran detective, a young genius, and a reporter on the quest to uncover the truth of a mysterious murder that happened 5 years ago.

Which of these dramas have you watched? Let us know in the comments section below.