Unraveling the Dark Hierarchy: A Review of Netflix's Thrilling yet Flawed K-DramaThe K-drama "Hierarchy" revolves around key conflicts that drive its plot. At the heart of the story is Kang Ha's quest for revenge and his search for answers about his twin brother In-han's death at Jooshin High School. The narrative also explores the strict social hierarchy among the wealthy students, who dominate the school and mistreat others. Romance between Jae Yi, Kang Ha, and Ri An adds complexity, while Jae Yi's manipulation by Ju-won, who has compromising footage of her and Ri An, increases tension. Corruption within Jooshin Academy's administration, particularly concerning In-han's accident, adds layers to the story. The drama also examines how privileged students evade accountability for their actions, highlighting societal injustices and the hidden aspects of elite circles.

The plot of "Hierarchy"

The drama revolves around the top 0.01% of privileged students who control law and order at the elite Jooshin High School. Their world is disrupted when a mysterious transfer student, Kang Ha, seeks revenge for his twin brother's death.

Who are the main characters in "Hierarchy"

The main characters are:

• Kang Ha (Lee Chae-min) - a scholarship student seeking revenge
• Jung Jae-i (Roh Jeong-eui) - a student being blackmailed
• Kim Ri-an (Kim Jae-won) - Jae-i's ex-boyfriend
• Yoon He-ra (Ji Hye-won) - a student involved in the school's hierarchy
• Lee Woo-jin (Lee Won-jung) - a student having an affair with a teacher

What is the meaning behind the title "Hierarchy"

The title refers to the strict social hierarchy and power dynamics among the wealthy students at Jooshin High School. ** How many episodes are there in "Hierarchy"** The first season of "Hierarchy" consists of 7 episodes.

Who is the director of "Hierarchy"

The director is Bae Hyun Jin, known for "Alchemy of Souls Season 2: Light and Shadow".

Who wrote the screenplay for "Hierarchy"

The writer is Choo Hye Mi, who previously wrote "About Time".

Is "Hierarchy" based on a book or webtoon

No, "Hierarchy" is an original story not based on any existing source material.

Where can I watch "Hierarchy"

"Hierarchy" is a Netflix original series, so it is available exclusively on Netflix.

Does Jae Yi end up with Kang Ha or Ri An

The ending leaves Jae Yi's romantic future ambiguous, as she decides to move out of her father's house and live with her mother instead of choosing between Kang Ha and Ri An.

Who was responsible for In-han's death

It is revealed that teacher Ji-soo was the one who accidentally hit and killed In-han with her car while having an affair with student Woo-jin. The recording pen and phone found at the scene of In-han's accident contain crucial evidence that helps unravel the corruption at Jooshin Academy. They eventually end up in the hands of Kang Ha, who turns them over to the police.

What is Jae-i being blackmailed for

Jae-i is being blackmailed by her stepbrother Jae-hyeok then by a student named Ju-won( the class president), who has obtained a video of her and Ri-an having sex. both of them use the video to manipulate and control Jae-I through out the season. Soon after being blackmailed by her stepbrother, Jae-i realized she was pregnant. Afraid that her father would discover it, she went to the States to visit an abortion clinic. However, she had a miscarriage while there. Jae-i's father, Park, found out about her pregnancy through photos taken at the abortion clinic. He used this information to blackmail Jae-i, threatening to expose the scandal if she didn't agree to go to the U.S. and get married to strengthen his business ties. Jae-i initially took all the blame for the leaked photos and videos, soon joined by Ri-an. Both characters realized their mistakes and decided to take accountability for their actions. In the end, Jae-i chose not to stay with her father's family anymore, giving up her title and fortune. She decided to reunite with her biological mother instead of going to the U.S. Jae-i continuously being blackmailed repeatedly, even by her own father, causing her to always feel panicked and suspicious of everyone.

Will there be a Season 2

While initially billed as a limited series, the cliffhanger ending leaves room for a potential second season to be announced.

The Ending

The ending of the K-drama "Hierarchy" is a cliffhanger that sets the stage for a potential second season. The final episode concludes with a post-credits scene that reveals a new murder mystery, where a student is found dead in a classroom surrounded by blood. The identity of the dead student is not revealed, leaving the audience with a significant cliffhanger and the potential for a second season. The scene shows Ri-an, Woo-jin, and He-ra returning to the school together, suggesting that they have learned from their past mistakes and are trying to move forward. However, the discovery of the dead body implies that there is still much to be resolved in the school's dark and troubled history. The finale also sees Kang Ha achieving his goal of bringing about change at Jooshin High School, but there is still a killer on the loose, leaving room for a potential season 2. The love triangle between Jae-i, Kang Ha, and Ri-an is likely to resurface, and a second season could delve deeper into Jae-i's life now that she has left her abusive father and reunited with her mother.

Review

Reviews have been mixed, with some praising the visuals and cast while others criticize the lack of depth and wasted potential compared to other popular K-dramas. Major themes include privilege, power dynamics, corruption, revenge, and the consequences of wealthy elite societies. While attempting to emulate the success of those dramas, many felt "Hierarchy" fell short in terms of character and plot development. While opinions vary, some praised the performances of Ji Hye Won and Lee Won Jung as side characters. The epilogue reveals someone is coming for Ri An, suggesting a new conflict or murder mystery at the school. Common criticisms included lack of depth, underdeveloped characters, wasted potential, and deviating from the essence of great K-dramas. This depends on personal preferences, but many long-time K-drama fans felt disappointed, while some newcomers enjoyed the visuals and production values.

Rating

6/10