Itaewon Class

Itaewon Class (Korean: 이태원 클라쓰) is a 2020 South Korean television series starring Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi, Yoo Jae-myung, and Kwon Nara. Based on the webtoon of the same name,^[2] it is the first series to be produced by the film distribution company Showbox. It aired on JTBC in Korea from January 31 to March 21, 2020, and is streaming worldwide on Netflix.^[3][4][5] The series won Best Drama Series at the 25th Asian Television Awards.^[6][7]

Itaewon Class
Promotional poster
Hangul	이태원 클라쓰
Hanja	梨泰院 클라쓰
Revised Romanization	Itaewon Keullasseu
Genre	Drama
Based on	Itaewon Class by Gwang Jin
Developed by	Kim Do-soo for Showbox
Written by	Gwang Jin
Directed by	Kim Seong-yoon
Starring	Park Seo-joon Kim Da-mi
Music by	Kim Jun-seok (Movie Closer) Park Seung-il (Studio Curiosity)
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	16
Production
Executive producer	Jo Joon-hyung
Producers	Lee Sang-yoon Jung Soo-jin Han Suk-won
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	70 minutes
Production companies	Showbox Zium Content^[a] Itaewon Class Production Partners
Release
Original network	JTBC
Picture format	1080i (HDTV)
Audio format	Dolby Digital
Original release	January 31 (2020-01-31) – March 21, 2020 (2020-03-21)
Related
Roppongi Class (TV Asahi, upcoming)

Synopsis

Due to an accident which killed his father, Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon) attempted to kill Jang Geun-won (Ahn Bo-hyun), the son of Jangga Group's founder, Jang Dae-hee (Yoo Jae-myung). He was jailed and the woman he loved, Oh Soo-ah (Kwon Na-ra), was offered a university scholarship by Jang Dae-hee and later became the Strategic Planning Head of Jangga Group.

After his release from prison, Park Sae-ro-yi opens Danbam in Itaewon. He wants to be successful and seeks revenge towards Jangga Group. However, he is not too smart at managing his business. He then meets Jo Yi-seo (Kim Da-mi).

Cast and characters

Main

• Park Seo-joon as Park Sae-ro-yi^[8]

Proprietor of DanBam, a bar-restaurant in Itaewon. In his youth, Sae-ro-yi gets expelled from high school for punching CEO Jang's son Geun-won, who was bullying a classmate, and becomes bereaved when his father is killed by Geun-won's reckless driving. Angered by the loss, he attacks Geun-won, leading to his three-year imprisonment. Following his father's steps, Sae-ro-yi opens his bar-restaurant DanBam in Itaewon seven years after he is released from jail, with the aim of expanding it into a franchise and defeating CEO Jang's food company Jangga Group. In 2020, he becomes the CEO of his company IC Group.

• Kim Da-mi as Jo Yi-seo^[9]
  • Choi Myung-bin as young Jo Yi-seo

Manager of Sae-Ro-Yi's bar-restaurant DanBam. Yi-seo is a multi-talented and intelligent girl with an IQ of 162. She moved from New York to continue her studies in South Korea. She is also famous on social media as a power blogger and social media internet celebrity. Having a crush on Sae-Ro-yi, she offers to become the manager of DanBam. Her lack of empathy and callous behavior has many people believe she is a sociopath, but she does end up caring for her DanBam coworkers. She especially has a breakthrough with Hyeon-Yi after initially criticizing her cooking and believing her transgender identity would impede DanBam’s business. Despite being declined by Sae-ro-yi, Yi-seo remains by his side as DanBam’s manager. In 2020, Yi-seo becomes the CFO of Sae-ro-yi's company IC Group. Eventually, Saeroyi realizes his feelings for Yi-Seo and he confesses his love for her.

• Yoo Jae-myung as Jang Dae-hee^[10]

CEO of food company Jangga Group. CEO Jang is a self-made man who, despite the odds, succeeds in turning his once small bar into a large franchise company. In his years of experience leading Jangga, he develops a strong belief in power and authority as a means to achieve his goals. He meets Sae-ro-yi when the latter has a fight with his son Geun-won in high school and expects him to kneel as a submission of his power. However, Saeroryi always resisted kneeling and made his life harder for it. In 2020, he is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and doesn't have much long to live. Unfortunately, his illegal activities under Jangga was exposed and ruined his company. Despite kneeling before Sae-Ro-Yi for help, Sae-Ro-Yi absorbed Jangga into his company, leaving Dae-Hee with nothing.

• Kwon Nara as Oh Soo-ah^[11]
  • Ok Ye-rin as young Oh Soo-ah

Head of the strategic planning team in Jangga Group; Sae-ro-yi's former classmate and first love. Abandoned by her mother, Soo-ah grew up in an orphanage and became close with Sae-ro-yi's father Sung-yeol. She becomes acquainted with Sae-ro-yi, who has a crush on her. After Sung-yeol's death, she receives a scholarship offer from Jangga Group and soon becomes an employee in the company. Though passionate about her work, she is torn between her allegiance to Jangga and her love for Sae-ro-yi. Due to their conflicts of interests, the two would hold a long term emotional relationship, but never a true romantic one. Eventually, Soo-ah realizes Saeroyi's feelings have changed and the two remain as friends. She later became a whistle blower to the authorities on the crimes that Jangga have committed in the past during her time in the company and later starts her own restaurant.

Supporting

DanBam staff

• Kim Dong-hee as Jang Geun-soo^[12]
  • CEO Jang's second and illegitimate son; Yi-seo's classmate and staff member at DanBam. Geun-soo has been bullied by his older brother Geun-won and he never felt loved by his parents. Upon turning 17, he left the Jang family and lived by himself from then on. After inconveniencing DanBam in an incident, he decides to work for Sae-ro-yi, whom he considers to be a "real adult." He has a crush on Yi-seo. However, after leaving DanBam, Geun-soo chooses to work at his father's company to become the successor for Jangga Group, and gradually became ruthless towards his former DanBam colleagues due to his thirst to prove himself and win Yi-seo's affections. In 2020, Geun-soo is the director of Jangga Group, and he eventually reconciles with the DanBam staff after realising the error of his ways.
• Ryu Kyung-soo as Choi Seung-kwon^[13]
  • Staff member at DanBam. Seung-kwon was Sae-ro-yi's cellmate in prison. Believing that he cannot better his life outside of jail, he became a gangster under a gang leader upon his release. Seven years later, he meets Sae-ro-yi who, to his surprise, had already opened a bar in Itaewon. Deeply respecting Sae-ro-yi and his way to live a better life, he gives up being a gangster and starts working at DanBam. In 2020, he becomes one of the directors of Sae-ro-yi's company IC Group.
• Lee Joo-young as Ma Hyeon-yi^[14]
  • DanBam's chief cook. Hyun-yi first met Sae-ro-yi in a factory where the two formerly worked, years before the start of DanBam. She was hired as DanBam's cook when Sae-ro-yi liked the food she once cooked for him back then. Hyun-yi is a transgender woman and has been saving money for her sex reassignment surgery. In 2020, she becomes one of the directors of Sae-ro-yi's company IC Group.
• Chris Lyon as Kim To-ni^[15]
  • DamBam's Guinean-Korean part-timer. Even though he cannot speak and understand English, To-ni is fluent in speaking Korean, owing to his Korean father and his one-year residence in South Korea, and French, the language he speaks in Guinea. Eventually, he is able to learn and speak a satisfactory amount of English. He also reunited with his Korean grandmother (a sponsor and investor of DanBam), who acknowledges him as her grandchild.

Jangga Group

• Ahn Bo-hyun as Jang Geun-won^[16]
  • CEO Jang's first son and heir to Jangga Group. Geun-won was Sae-ro-yi and Soo-ah's classmate in high school who frequently bullied their classmate Ho-jin. He caused the vehicular accident that killed Sae-ro-yi's father Sung-yeol. Years later when he attempts to recruit Yi-seo into Jangga, his confession to the crime is recorded by her and he attacks her until Sae-ro-yi intervenes and gets him arrested. Dae-hee deserts Geun-won by admitting his son's crimes during his apology meeting and Geun-won was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. In 2020, he is released on parole after serving four years out of his prison term and therefore, alongside Kim Hee-hoon and his gang, Geun-won plans to get revenge on Yi-seo by kidnapping both her and his brother, though he ultimately failed and he was sentenced to incarceration once again.
• Kim Hye-eun as Kang Min-jung^[17]
  • Jangga Group's executive director, who secretly plots to usurp CEO Jang. She is a close friend of Park Sung-yeol, father of Park Sae-ro-yi, which made her willing to ally with Sae-ro-yi against Dae-hee.
• Hong Seo-joon as Mr. Kim^[18]
  • Jang Dae-hee's right-hand man. He is very loyal to his boss.
• Yoo Da-mi as Kim Sun-ae^[19]
  • Jang Dae-hee's secretary and Kang Min-jung’s spy.

Others

• Lee David as Lee Ho-jin^[20]

Sae-royi's investment manager. Ho-jin was Sae-ro-yi, Soo-ah and Geun-won's classmate in high school. After years of bearing the constant bullying from Geun-won, he gets into a prestigious college and takes up business administration. He partners up with Sae-ro-yi in taking revenge against Geun-won and CEO Jang. In 2020, he becomes the financial manager for Sae-ro-yi's company IC Group. In one of the flashback scene when he visited Sae-ro-yi in prison; he listed Sae-ro-yi as a friend.

• Kim Yeo-jin as Jo Jeong-min^[21]

Yi-seo's mother, who disapproves of Yi-seo quitting college and working at Danbam. She also did not have a good impression of Sae-ro-yi at first but eventually consents to her daughter's relationship with him.

• Yoon Kyung-ho as Oh Byeong-heon^[22]

Detective in charge of Geun-won's hit-and-run case which he was pressured to cover up. He quit his job after the case and is now one of Sae-ro-yi's suppliers.

• Choi Yu-ri as Oh Hye-won^[23]

Oh Byeong-heon's daughter, who is oblivious to Sae-ro-yi's connection with her father.

• Cha Mi-kyung as Kim Soon-rye^[24]

To-ni's Korean paternal grandmother. After her son's death, she deeply regrets disapproving of her son's marriage to a Guinean woman (To-ni's mother), as it caused her son to run away. She is a loan shark who offers her services to Sae-ro-yi when he moves his bar to a new location. She was also one of the first supporters of Jangga.

• Won Hyun-joon as Kim Hee-hoon^[25]

Sae-ro-yi's former cellmate and a leader of a group of gangsters. Though initially cordial to both Sae-ro-yi and Choi Seung-kwon, he later allies himself with Jang Geun-won to kidnap Yi-seo and Geun-soo.

• Han Hye-ji as Kook Bok-hee^[26]

Yi-seo and Geun-soo's former classmate. Her bullying activities were exposed after Yi-seo recorded her performing the act, which publicly humiliated her. After running into Yi-seo months later, she attempted to assault her for ruining her reputation alongside her friends, only to be beaten down by Yi-seo.

Special appearances

• Ahn Sol-bin as Sae-ro-yi's classmate (Ep. 1)^[27]

A student who had a crush on Sae-ro-yi and had her confession rejected by him.

• Son Hyun-joo as Park Sung-yeol (Ep. 1–2 & 15)^[28]

Sae-ro-yi's father and former employee in Jangga Group. He taught Sae-ro-yi to stick to his beliefs and to fight for what is right. He resigned from Jangga in defense of Sae-ro-yi's deed of stopping Geun-won's bullying. He died in an accident caused by Geun-won.

• Hong Seok-cheon as himself (Ep. 2, 4, 9 & 16)^[29]

Soo-ah's acquaintance and TV celebrity. He works at a bar that Sae-ro-yi visits twice (years before and after opening DanBam). They meet again after Sae-ro-yi moves the location of his bar.

• Yoon Park as Kim Sung-hyun (Ep. 3)^[30]

Geun-soo's elder friend who goes to DanBam with Geun-soo and Yi-seo where the two get caught for underage drinking.

• Cha Chung-hwa as Bureau Chief's wife (Ep. 3)^[31]

Mother of Bok-hee, whose behavior was exposed online by Yi-seo.

• Im So-eun as Bok-hee's friend (Ep. 5)^[32]

One of Bok-hee's friends. She, alongside Bok-hee and her friend, attempted to assault Yi-seo after running into each other months after high school graduation.

• Jung Yoo-min as Seo Jeong-In (Ep. 6)^[33]

The daughter of the CEO of a pharmaceutical company and Geun-won's blind date. The blind date was arranged by Geun-won's father.

• Seo Eun-soo as part-time job applicant (Ep. 6)^[34]

Sae-ro-yi's acquaintance. She applied for the job that was eventually offered to Kim To-ni. Yi-seo rejected her application out of jealousy of her and Sae-ro-yi's close relationship.

• Kim Il-joong as himself (Ep. 11 & 13)^[35]

Host of the cooking program show The Best Pub.

• Jeon No-min as Do Joong-myung (Ep. 11–12)^[36]

CEO of the investment firm Jungmyung Holdings. He offers Sae-ro-yi to franchise DanBam. Later he was one of the sleeper agent for Dae Hee to thwart Sae-ro-yi plan to franchise DanBam.

• Lee Jun-hyeok as Park Joon-gi (Ep. 11–13)^[37]

A contestant on The Best Pub. He represents Jangga Group as the head cook and comes in second to Hyun-yi during the final. He subsequently gets fired.

• Park Bo-gum as Handsome Chef (Ep. 16)^[38]

The new chef at Soo-ah's restaurant in which Hong Seok-cheon invested after he passed the job interview.

Production

The first script reading took place in August 2019 at JTBC Building in Sangam-dong, Seoul, South Korea.^[39]

The drama serves as a reunion between Park Seo-Joon and Yoo Jae-myung who previously worked together in the KBS2 drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth.

Original soundtrack

Itaewon Class: Original Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by Various Artists
Released	March 20, 2020
Genre	Soundtrack
Length	4:02:10
Language	Korean English
Label	Vlending Co., Ltd.

Itaewon Class: Original Soundtrack

The drama's soundtrack is compiled in a four-part album released on March 20, 2020. CDs 1 and 2 contain the drama's theme songs and their instrumental versions, while CDs 3 and 4 contain the drama's musical score. The following lists are the track listings for the online streaming version of the album.^[40][41]

CD 1

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"You Make Me Back"	Oh Hyun-joo Kim Jin-hoon	Kim Jin-hoon	Woosung (The Rose)	3:15
2.	"Start Over" (시작^[b])	Seo Dong-sung	Park Sung-il	Gaho	3:20
3.	"Still Fighting It"	Ben Folds	Ben Folds	Lee Chan-sol	5:20
4.	"Our Souls at Night" (우리의 밤^[c])	Lee Chi-hoon	Park Sung-il	Sondia	4:44
5.	"No Break" (직진^[d])	Lee Chi-hoon	Park Sung-il	The Vane	2:53
6.	"Someday, The Boy" (그때 그 아인)	Seo Dong-sung	Park Sung-il	Kim Feel	4:48
7.	"Maybe"	Sondia Miriam	Park Sung-il	Sondia	3:48
8.	"You Make Me Back" (Inst.)		Kim Jin-hoon		3:15
9.	"Start Over" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		3:20
10.	"Still Fighting It" (Inst.)		Ben Folds		5:20
11.	"Our Souls at Night" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		4:44
12.	"No Break" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		2:53
13.	"Someday, The Boy" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		4:48
Total length:					52:28

CD 2^[e]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Diamond" (돌덩이^[f])	Gwang Jin Lee Chi-hoon	Park Sung-il	Ha Hyun-woo (Guckkasten)	3:29
2.	"Sweet Night"	Hiss noise V (BTS) Adora Michel “Lindgren” Schulz	Hiss noise V (BTS) Adora Michel “Lindgren” Schulz	V (BTS)	3:34
3.	"Say"	Seo Dong-sung Lee Chi-hoon	Park Sung-il	Yoon Mi-rae	4:20
4.	"Are We Just Friends?" (우린 친구뿐일까)	Seo Dong-sung	Park Sung-il	Sondia	3:48
5.	"No Words" (어떤 말도)	Kwon Young-chan	Hong So-jin	Crush	4:31
6.	"With Us"	Taibian	Taibian Baaq CHKmate	Verivery	4:17
7.	"Brand New Way"	Damon	Park Sung-il	Damon	2:52
8.	"Diamond" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		3:29
9.	"Sweet Night" (Inst.)		Hiss noise V (BTS) Adora Michel “Lindgren” Schulz		3:34
10.	"Say" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		4:20
11.	"Are We Just Friends?" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		3:48
12.	"No Words" (Inst.)		Hong So-jin		4:31
13.	"With Us" (Inst.)		Taibian Baaq CHKmate		4:17
Total length:					50:50

CD 3

No.	Title	Artist	Length
1.	"Itaewon Class" (이태원 클라쓰)	Kim Joon-suk	3:54
2.	"I Wanted to be a Policeman" (제 꿈은 경찰이었습니다)	Noh Yoo-rim	3:07
3.	"I Have a 15-Year Plan, Brace Yourself" (내 계획은 15년 짜리니까 기대해라)	Goo Bon-choon	3:42
4.	"DanBam Kitchen" (단밤 주방)	Kim Jung-wan	3:12
5.	"IQ 162, City Girl" (IQ162 도시여자)	Kim Hyun-do	2:43
6.	"That's My Goal" (그게 내 목표야)	Shim Hee-jin	1:55
7.	"Sociopath" (소시오패스)	Goo Bon-choon	1:51
8.	"The Story" (사연)	Noh Yoo-rim	3:05
9.	"I'm Always Grateful" (난 늘 고마운 마음뿐이야)	Jung Hye-bin	3:05
10.	"A New Morning" (새로운 아침)	Kim Tae-jin	2:11
11.	"My Bittersweet Night" (쓰린 밤이... 내 삶이 달달했으면)	Park Hye-min	1:57
12.	"Crush" (짝사랑)	Shim Hee-jin	2:42
13.	"Operation" (도모)	Kim Joon-suk	3:29
14.	"You think you can act like a jock only because you're the son of a billionaire?" (재벌 2세면 양아치 짓 해도 되는 거냐?)	Son Sung-rak	2:14
15.	"Tragedy of Success" (성공이라는 비극)	Kim Hyun-do	3:37
16.	"The Winner Takes It All" (약육강식)	Noh Yoo-rim	2:58
17.	"I Am The Powerful Ruler" (나는 권위적인 사람이야)	Son Sung-rak	2:08
18.	"The Beginning of Revenge" (복수의 시작)	Shim Hee-jin	3:05
19.	"You Can't Do This to Me" (넌 나한테 이러면 안 돼)	Goo Bon-choon	2:31
20.	"Unforgettable Past" (잊을 수 없는 과거)	Kim Hyun-do	2:13
21.	"Don't Feel Sorry When Eating Pork or Chicken" (돼지나 닭을 먹을 때 미안한 마음은 갖지 마라)	Shin Yoo-jin	2:32
22.	"I Will be Stronger" (저는 더욱더 강해지겠습니다)	Kim Joon-suk	2:34
23.	"False Tears" (거짓 눈물)	Shin Yoo-jin	2:35
24.	"It’s All For Jangga Co.'s Sake" (모든 건 장家를 위해서)	Goo Bon-choon	3:10
25.	"A Hit-And-Run" (뺑소니 사건)	Son Sung-rak	2:17
Total length:			1:08:47

CD 4

No.	Title	Artist	Length
1.	"Defence"	Studio Curiosity Park Sung-il Fraktal	1:22
2.	"Impressive Day" (인상적인 하루)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	3:00
3.	"His Night" (이 남자의 밤)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	2:50
4.	"A Word of Love" (사랑한단 말)	Studio Curiosity Park Sung-il	3:48
5.	"You Are Always Shining Too Bright To Me" (넌 나한테 항상 지나치게 빛나)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	3:13
6.	"I'm Going To Crush You All" (내가 다 부숴버릴 거야)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	3:04
7.	"It's Still Bitter" (아직 씁니다)	Studio Curiosity Park Sung-il	4:26
8.	"I Don't Mind That You Don't Feel The Same Way" (보답받지 못하는 마음이라도)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	2:52
9.	"It's Funny I'm Feeling This Way At My Age" (이 나이에 이런 감정)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	2:48
10.	"IC Inc." (주식회사 IC)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	2:59
11.	"Truth Game" (진실게임)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	3:15
12.	"I Look Forward To It, Partner" (잘 부탁한다, 파트너)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	2:39
13.	"I've Changed Quite a Lot" (난 꽤나 많이 변했어)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	2:48
14.	"I Don't Have To Convince Others About Who I Am" (내가 나인 것에 다른 사람의 납득은 필요 없다)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	3:31
15.	"You Have No Idea How Proud I Was" (얼마나 자랑스러운 아들이냐)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	2:40
16.	"All You Need Is One Word" (그냥 말 한마디면 돼요)	Studio Curiosity Park Sung-il	2:02
17.	"How Does It Taste?" (술맛이 어떠냐?)	Studio Curiosity Park Sung-il	2:20
18.	"Still We Are" (여전히 우린)	Studio Curiosity Park Sung-il	2:12
19.	"We Can Do It" (우리는 된다)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	2:59
20.	"Fresh Start" (새로운 시작)	Studio Curiosity Judah Earl	2:44
21.	"I Want To Know More About You" (난 니가 궁금해)	Studio Curiosity Fraktal	1:53
22.	"So why can't the earth just explode so this can all end?" (차라리 지구가 터져버렸으면 좋겠다)	Studio Curiosity Fraktal	2:11
23.	"Because I'm Korean" (저 한국 사람인데요)	Studio Curiosity Fraktal	1:35
24.	"An Unreasonable World" (불합리한 세상)	Studio Curiosity Park Sung-il	1:21
25.	"All Invested In Jangga" (전부 장가에 투자해)	Shin Yoo-jin	2:59
26.	"Tenacity, Bravado" (고집, 객기)	Shim Hee-jin	2:34
Total length:			1:10:05

Itaewon Class: Original Soundtrack Parts 1–13

Part 1

Released on January 31, 2020 (2020-01-31)^[42]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Still Fighting It"	Ben Folds	Ben Folds	Lee Chan-sol	5:20
2.	"Still Fighting It" (Inst.)		Ben Folds		5:20
Total length:					10:40

Part 2

Released on February 1, 2020 (2020-02-01)^[43]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Start Over" (시작^[b])	Seo Dong-sung	Park Sung-il	Gaho	3:20
2.	"Start Over" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		3:20
Total length:					6:40

Part 3

Released on February 7, 2020 (2020-02-07)^[44]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Diamond" (돌덩이^[f])	Gwang Jin Lee Chi-hoon	Park Sung-il	Ha Hyun-woo (Guckkasten)	3:29
2.	"Diamond" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		3:29
Total length:					6:58

Part 4

Released on February 8, 2020 (2020-02-08)^[45]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Our Souls at Night" (우리의 밤^[c])	Lee Chi-hoon	Park Sung-il	Sondia	4:44
2.	"Our Souls at Night" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		4:44
Total length:					9:28

Part 5

Released on February 14, 2020 (2020-02-14)^[46]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"You Make Me Back"	Oh Hyun-joo Kim Jin-hoon	Kim Jin-hoon	Woosung (The Rose)	3:15
2.	"You Make Me Back" (Inst.)		Kim Jin-hoon		3:15
Total length:					6:30

Part 6

Released on February 15, 2020 (2020-02-15)^[47]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Someday, The Boy" (그때 그 아인)	Seo Dong-sung	Park Sung-il	Kim Feel	4:48
2.	"Someday, The Boy" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		4:48
Total length:					9:36

Part 7

Released on February 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)^[48]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Are We Just Friends?" (우린 친구뿐일까)	Seo Dong-sung	Park Sung-il	Sondia	3:48
2.	"Maybe"	Sondia Miriam	Park Sung-il	Sondia	3:48
3.	"Defence"		Park Sung-il Fraktal		1:22
4.	"Are We Just Friends?" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		3:48
Total length:					12:46

Part 8

Released on February 22, 2020 (2020-02-22)^[49]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Say"	Seo Dong-sung Lee Chi-hoon	Park Sung-il	Yoon Mi-rae	4:20
2.	"Say" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		4:20
Total length:					8:40

Part 9

Released on February 29, 2020 (2020-02-29)^[50]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"With Us"	Taibian	Taibian Baaq CHKmate	Verivery	4:17
2.	"With Us" (Inst.)		Taibian Baaq CHKmate		4:17
Total length:					8:34

Part 10

Released on March 6, 2020 (2020-03-06)^[51]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"No Break" (직진^[d])	Lee Chi-hoon	Park Sung-il	The Vane^[g]	2:53
2.	"No Break" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		2:53
Total length:					5:46

Part 11

Released on March 7, 2020 (2020-03-07)^[52]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"No Words" (어떤 말도)	Kwon Young-chan	Hong So-jin	Crush	4:31
2.	"No Words" (Inst.)		Hong So-jin		4:31
Total length:					9:02

Part 12

Released on March 13, 2020 (2020-03-13)^[53]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Sweet Night"	Hiss noise V (BTS) ADORA Michel “Lindgren” Schulz	Hiss noise V (BTS) ADORA Michel “Lindgren” Schulz	V (BTS)	3:34
2.	"Sweet Night" (Inst.)		Hiss noise V (BTS) ADORA Michel “Lindgren” Schulz		3:34
Total length:					7:08

Part 13

Released on March 14, 2020 (2020-03-14)^[54]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Brand New Way"	Damon	Park Sung-il	Damon	2:52
2.	"Brand New Way" (Inst.)		Park Sung-il		2:52
Total length:					5:44

Chart performance

Title	Year	Peak positions	Remarks	Ref.
		KOR
"Start Over" (시작) (Gaho)	2020	1	Part 2	^[55]
"Diamond" (돌덩이) (Ha Hyun-woo (Guckkasten))		4	Part 3	^[56]
"Someday, the Boy" (그때 그 아인) (Kim Feel)		3	Part 6
"Say" (Yoon Mi-rae)		63	Part 8	^[55]
"No Words" (어떤 말도) (Crush)		76	Part 11
"Sweet Night" (V)		14	Part 12

Reception

Itaewon Class' final episode recorded a 16.548% nationwide audience share, making it the third-highest viewership rating in JTBC, and the 12th highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history, just slightly under Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce).^[57][58] The drama was also praised for its realistic portrayal of subjects such as prejudice and discrimination against foreigners, ex-convicts and LGBT people, as well as the portrayal of misbehaviours by chaebols.^[59]

Time Magazine included Itaewon Class on its list of "The 10 Best Korean Dramas to Watch on Netflix".^[60] Forbes included the series on its list of "The 13 Best Korean Dramas Of 2020".^[61] The Guardian mentioned the drama in an article recommending Korean dramas to watch after finishing Squid Game.^[62] Google Trends revealed that the series was the #1 most-searched drama/entertainment program of 2020, and the fourth most searched domestic search term of 2020 in South Korea.^[63][64]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
2020	56th Baeksang Arts Awards	Best Director (TV)	Kim Seong-yoon	Nominated	^[65]^[66]^[67]
		Best Actor (TV)	Park Seo-joon	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor (TV)	Yoo Jae-myung	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress (TV)	Kwon Nara	Nominated
		Best New Actor (TV)	Ahn Bo-hyun	Nominated
		Best New Actress (TV)	Kim Da-mi	Won
		Technical Award	Park Sung-il (Music)	Nominated
	4th Soribada Best K-Music Awards	Best Hallyu OST	Gaho ("Start Over")	Won	^[68]
	15th Seoul International Drama Awards	Best Mini Series - Silver Bird Prize	Itaewon Class	Won	^[69]^[70]
	2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards	Best OST	Gaho ("Start Over")	Won	^[71]^[72]
		Song of the Year		Nominated
2021	25th Asian Television Awards	Best Drama Series	Itaewon Class	Won	^[73]^[6]
	7th APAN Star Awards	Grand Prize (Daesang)	Park Seo-joon	Nominated	^[74]^[75]
		Drama of the Year	Itaewon Class	Won
		Best New Actor	Ahn Bo-hyun	Nominated
		Best New Actress	Kim Da-mi	Nominated
		Popular Star Award, Actress		Nominated
		Popular Star Award, Actor	Park Seo-joon	Nominated
		Best OST	V ("Sweet Night")	Won
	30th Seoul Music Awards	OST Award	Gaho ("Start Over")	Nominated	^[76]
			Ha Hyun-woo ("Diamond")	Nominated
			Kim Feel ("Someday, The Boy")	Nominated
	Korea Communications Commission Broadcasting Awards	Excellence Award	Itaewon Class	Won	^[77]

Viewership

Itaewon Class : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)

Season		Episode number																Average
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
	1	1.261	1.371	1.977	2.500	2.852	3.085	3.026	3.254	3.612	3.803	3.514	3.530	3.321	3.785	3.841	4.425	3.072

Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.^[78]

Average TV viewership ratings

Ep.	Original broadcast date	Average audience share (Nielsen Korea)^[79]
		Nationwide	Seoul
1	January 31, 2020	4.983%	5.283%
2	February 1, 2020	5.330%	5.634%
3	February 7, 2020	8.013%	8.253%
4	February 8, 2020	9.382%	10.692%
5	February 14, 2020	10.716%	11.986%
6	February 15, 2020	11.608%	12.636%
7	February 21, 2020	12.289%	13.215%
8	February 22, 2020	12.562%	13.990%
9	February 28, 2020	13.965%	14.903%
10	February 29, 2020	14.760%	16.160%
11	March 6, 2020	13.798%	15.496%
12	March 7, 2020	13.398%	14.817%
13	March 13, 2020	13.101%	14.344%
14	March 14, 2020	14.197%	15.568%
15	March 20, 2020	14.661%	16.012%
16	March 21, 2020	16.548%	18.328%
Average		11.832%	12.957%
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings. This drama aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).

International adaptations

A Japanese drama adaptation, titled as Roppongi Class, was aired on July 7, 2022 via TV Asahi.^[80][81][82]

British, Chinese, French, German, Indian and Turkish adaptations are in development.^{[83][additional citation(s) needed]}

Notes

1. Acquired by JTBC Studios in 2020^[1]
2. Lit. "Start"
3. Lit. "Our Night"
4. Lit. "Straight"
5. The song "Start Over" by Chris Lyon, who played the character Kim To-ni in the drama, is included in the physical CD album version as the 8th track. All succeeding tracks are renumbered accordingly.^[40]

   CD 2 (CD version)

   No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
   8.	"Start Over"	Damon	Park Sung-il	Chris Lyon

6. Lit. "Stone Block"
7. Performed by band member Chae Bo-hoon

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External links

• Official website (in Korean)
• Itaewon Class at HanCinema
• Itaewon Class at IMDb