What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedItaewon Class
Cho Kwang-jin · Series · 2020
If you loved Itaewon Class, start with Parasite (Bong Joon Ho, 2019) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Itaewon Class across media.
If you loved Itaewon Class, you will appreciate these stories about underdogs fighting rigid social hierarchies to claim their own success.
Books on the same thread
My Hero Academia
Kohei Horikoshi · Book · 2015
Shares a thread with Itaewon Class: Underdog Story.
Just as in Itaewon Class, this story follows a determined underdog who refuses to let a hostile social hierarchy stop him from pursuing his ambitious, heroic dreams.
If I Had Your Face
Frances Cha · Book · 2020
Shares a thread with Itaewon Class: social mobility.
This novel mirrors the urban tension of Itaewon Class, focusing on characters navigating the ruthless social ladders and impossible standards of modern Seoul to find their own paths.
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982
Cho Nam-Joo, Nam-ju Cho · Book · 2020
Explores: systemic misogyny, gender inequality, mental health.
Fans of the social commentary in Itaewon Class will recognize the critique of systemic structures that restrict individuals, here explored through the lens of gender inequality in Korea.
The Outsiders
S. E. Hinton · Book · 1967
Explores: Social Class, Teenage Angst, Violence.
Itaewon Class captures the struggle of those living on the fringes, a theme perfectly reflected in this classic tale of loyalty and conflict between differing social classes.
Films on the same thread
Parasite
Bong Joon Ho · Film · 2019
Explores: Class Warfare, Social Commentary, Deception.
Much like the power dynamics in Itaewon Class, this film illustrates the stark reality of class warfare and the desperate measures taken by those trying to survive.
The Man from Nowhere
Lee Jeong-beom · Film · 2010
Explores: redemption, child endangerment, loner protagonist.
If you enjoyed the grit and the lone-wolf determination of the protagonist in Itaewon Class, you will find this story of a man fighting against crime deeply resonant.
The Social Network
David Fincher · Film · 2010
Shares a thread with Itaewon Class: Friendship.
This film tracks the same relentless, ambitious drive seen in Itaewon Class, showing how an outsider uses intellect and persistence to challenge the established corporate order.
Lady Vengeance
Park Chan-wook · Film · 2005
Explores: Wrongful Imprisonment, Female Revenge, Moral Ambiguity.
The calculated, long-term quest for retribution in this film echoes the central revenge arc of Itaewon Class, proving that patience is a powerful tool against one's enemies.
Podcasts on the same thread
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
Explores: small-town isolation, eccentricity, social decay.
Similar to the way Itaewon Class portrays individuals challenging a wealthy establishment, this story follows a man taking a stand against the corruption within his own small town.
Barrio Bravo
Podcast
Shares a thread with Itaewon Class: Friendship.
This podcast captures the same DIY spirit of entrepreneurship found in Itaewon Class, highlighting the messy, ambitious process of building something significant from the ground up.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of Itaewon Class?
Itaewon Class follows an ex-convict and his group of friends living in a colorful Seoul neighborhood. Together, they work to overcome a powerful enemy while striving to turn their ambitious dreams for a street bar into a reality.
Is Itaewon Class based on a specific creator's work?
Yes, Itaewon Class is a 2020 television series based on the work of Cho Kwang-jin. The story centers on the struggle of an ex-con and his friends as they challenge a mighty foe to build their business in Seoul.
Who is the primary creator behind Itaewon Class?
The 2020 television series Itaewon Class was written by Cho Kwang-jin. The narrative depicts the journey of an ex-convict and his friends in a vibrant Seoul neighborhood as they fight to achieve success for their street bar.
What kind of setting does Itaewon Class feature?
Itaewon Class is set within a colorful neighborhood in Seoul. The plot focuses on an ex-convict and his friends who operate a street bar while attempting to realize their ambitious goals despite facing a powerful adversary.