Netflix K-Drama “Hierarchy” Sparks Divided Reactions Due To Characters’ “Shocking” Relationship
Spoiler Alert
The highly anticipated Netflix K-Drama Hierarchy premiered on June 7 with all seven episodes, making for perfect binge-watching. This high-school-based thriller stars Lee Chae Min, Roh Jeong Eui, Kim Jae Won, Lee Won Jung, and Ji Hye Won.
Jooshin High School is the most prestigious school in South Korea. The school was established by the conglomerate Jooshin Group. Normally, only students that are chosen at birth to attend Jooshin High School are allowed. Those students include Jung Jae-I (Roh Jeong-Eui), who is is the first daughter of the family that runs Jaeyool Group, Kim Ri-An (Kim Jae-Won) who is the successor of the Jooshin Group, Yoon He-Ra (Ji Hye-Won) who is the youngest daughter of trading company International Yoon, and Lee Woo-Jin (Lee Won-Jung) who is second son of a powerful politician family.
Meanwhile, Kang Ha (Lee Chae-Min) is transferred to Jooshin High School. He possesses a pure and innocent smile, but he holds a secret. Due to him, the concrete world of Jooshin High School begins to crack.
— AsianWiki
Ahead of its release, the K-Drama was speculated to be explicit, with netizens theorizing it would be a K-Drama alternative to NSFW American teen dramas, such as Euphoria. An online community titled “The Drama Premise That I Am Currently Worried About” after press releases indicated that there would be high levels of nudity.
It’s a high-teen romance drama, but in articles, they state that there will be unprecedented levels of nudity. The drama is currently considering coming out on Netflix, and actors Lee Chae Min, Roh Jeong Eui, and Ji Hye Won have been reportedly cast.
— Author of post
- “It is such a departure from the realities of (schools in) our country. (Dramas about) elite schools like Euphoria and Gossip Girl only work with western schools.”
- “It doesn’t agree with Korea’s customs and social norms.”
- “I wanted to see Lee Chae Min and Roh Jeong Ui, ㅠㅠ. It’s problematic that Netflix likes provocative dramas so much, ㅜㅜ. I’m really hoping for a good drama.”
- “Copying Euphoria.”
- “There is no need for nudity… So why?”
- “What (are they doing) in a country that doesn’t even teach sex-ed correctly?”
- “What (are they doing) with our country’s High Schoolers?… Plus, if they really were in the 0.01%, the students would be attending school abroad.”
- “I don’t think this will go over well with Korean audiences…”
- “Nudity in a High School drama? What are they doing?”
While there are sex scenes, it’s more implied than explicit. We see the occasional shirtless person, but nothing goes as graphic as Spanish drama Elite or American television shows like Euphoria, Bridgerton, etc.
Still, there is one “love scene” that shocked netizens.
Episode 2 opened with a shirtless Woo Jin in bed with a woman only covered with a blanket. The woman was revealed to be Han Ji Su (Byeon Seo Yun)… who was his teacher.
Viewers were taken aback by this “loveline.” Woo Jin was likely only a high-school junior and 18 years old, making him underage (In Korea, “The civil law states that the legal age of adulthood begins from 19 years old by international standard.”) Not to mention the problematic power dynamic of a teacher sleeping with a student.
they are crazy coz wtf is this loveline with the teacher 💀 #hierarchy pic.twitter.com/58QQwDVSXh
— kimichi 🌱 (@midoandparasol) June 7, 2024
This surprised me more than the drugs and literal murder in this show 😭😭😭#hierarchy #HierarchyEp2 pic.twitter.com/oYtD8f80I0
— fai ◡̈ (@fxytrbl) June 7, 2024
grown ass teacher getting with a JUNIOR IN HS?! oh we r in hell!! #hierarchyep2 pic.twitter.com/wf4NwzNwDN
— jac (@yeonxls) June 7, 2024
Some viewers confessed that they initially thought Han Ji Su was also a student due to her “baby face.” Actress Byeon Seo Yun is actually 27, while actor Lee Won Jung is 23.
bruh my boy woojin have a relationship with his teacher 🥲
I thought she was a senior or some council student bcs she looked young 💀#HierarchyEp2pic.twitter.com/8JO0dD6eY2
— 🦋 (@peachpeach1002) June 8, 2024
Others confessed that they didn’t blame Han Ji Su, as Woo Jin was incredibly attractive.
Still, viewers couldn’t stand Han Ji Su. She was a detestable character who continually made horrible and unforgivable choices.
@pixiebaka
@kiaraisher Idk if he’s a minor or not but still🥴 #hierarchy #leechaemin #rohjeongeui #kdrama #netflix #fyp
For many, the K-Drama was disappointing after it was so hyped. Read more below.
Highly-Anticipated Netflix K-Drama Leaves Netizens Hugely Disappointed
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