If you loved
Itaewon Class
Cho Kwang-jin · Series · 2020
You were drawn to Itaewon Class because of the way it explores the gritty intersection of social defiance and personal ambition.
Books on the same thread
Class Act
Jerry Craft · Book · 2020
Shares a thread with Itaewon Class: Friendship.
Like the protagonists in Itaewon Class, the characters here navigate complex social hierarchies and personal prejudice, proving that resilience is the only way to carve out a true identity.
My Hero Academia
Kohei Horikoshi · Book · 2015
Shares a thread with Itaewon Class: Underdog Story.
Just as Itaewon Class follows an underdog defying the odds, this story captures the spirit of someone fighting against a rigid social structure to achieve their own version of greatness.
The Outsiders
S. E. Hinton · Book · 1967
Explores: Social Class, Teenage Angst, Violence.
This classic mirrors the central conflict of Itaewon Class by highlighting the stark divide between social classes and the intense loyalty required to survive when you are the underdog.
In a Class by Itself
Sandra Brown · Book · 2000
Explores: reunited lovers, class disparity, high school reunion.
The tension of class disparity that defines Itaewon Class is at the heart of this story, emphasizing how personal history and social standing complicate the path to achieving one's dreams.
Films on the same thread
Parasite
Bong Joon Ho · Film · 2019
Explores: Class Warfare, Social Commentary, Deception.
Much like the power struggle in Itaewon Class, this film masterfully dissects the friction between social classes, showing the lengths to which people go when they are desperate for mobility.
The Man from Nowhere
Lee Jeong-beom · Film · 2010
Explores: redemption, child endangerment, loner protagonist.
If you appreciated the gritty, vengeful drive of the lead in Itaewon Class, you will recognize that same fierce, protective determination in this protagonist as he confronts systemic corruption.
Just Mercy
Destin Daniel Cretton · Film · 2019
Explores: Racial injustice, Wrongful conviction, Capital punishment.
If Itaewon Class hit, Just Mercy shares the thread.
Wonder
Film · 2017
Explores: Empathy, Bullying, Inclusion.
The focus on overcoming societal barriers and finding one's place despite being viewed as an outsider connects this story to the core emotional journey seen throughout Itaewon Class.
Podcasts on the same thread
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
Explores: small-town isolation, eccentricity, social decay.
The friction between an individual and a wealthy, established family in this story echoes the central rivalry of Itaewon Class, capturing the same desire to challenge the status quo.
This American Life
This American Life · Podcast · 2026
Explores: The human condition, Personal narrative, Social observation.
You will appreciate the way these human-interest stories capture the same spirit of personal resilience and social observation that made the characters in Itaewon Class feel so deeply authentic.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Itaewon Class based on a book?
Itaewon Class is based on the 2020 television series written by Cho Kwang-jin. The story follows an ex-con and his friends as they work to make their ambitious dreams for a street bar a reality in a colorful Seoul neighborhood.
What is the main conflict in Itaewon Class?
The main conflict in Itaewon Class involves an ex-con and his group of friends who must fight a mighty foe to achieve their dreams. They strive to make their vision for a successful street bar a reality within a colorful neighborhood in Seoul.
How would you describe the setting of Itaewon Class?
Itaewon Class is set in a colorful neighborhood in Seoul. This urban environment serves as the backdrop for the protagonist and his friends as they navigate the challenges of building their own street bar business while opposing a powerful rival.
Who created the story for Itaewon Class?
The 2020 television series Itaewon Class was written by Cho Kwang-jin. The narrative focuses on an ex-con who teams up with friends to establish a street bar in a vibrant Seoul neighborhood while overcoming a significant adversary to reach his goals.