| Itaewon Class | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 이태원 클라쓰 |
| Hanja | 梨泰院 클라쓰 |
| RR | Itaewon keullasseu |
| MR | It'aewŏn k'ŭllassŭ |
| Genre | Romantic drama Comedy |
| Based on | Itaewon Class by Gwang Jin |
| Developed by | Kim Do-soo for Showbox |
| Written by | Gwang Jin |
| Directed by | Kim Seong-yoon |
| Starring | |
| Music by |
|
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 16 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Jo Joon-hyung |
| Producers |
|
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 70 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | JTBC |
| Release | January 31 – March 21, 2020 |
| Related | |
| Roppongi Class (TV Asahi, 2022) | |
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, 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.
The series won Best Drama Series at the 25th Asian Television Awards.
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).
The first script reading took place in August 2019 at JTBC Building in Sangam-dong, Seoul, South Korea.
Park Seo-joon and Yoo Jae-myung had previously worked together in the KBS2 drama's Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth.
| Itaewon Class: Original Soundtrack | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Various Artists | |
| Released | March 20, 2020 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Length | 4:02:10 |
| Languages | |
| Labels | Vlending Co., Ltd. |
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.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "You Make Me Back" |
| Kim Jin-hoon | Woosung (The Rose) | 3:15 |
| 2. | "Start Over" (시작) | 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) | Lee Chi-hoon | Park Sung-il | Sondia | 4:44 |
| 5. | "No Break" (직진) | 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" |
| 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 | ||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Diamond" (돌덩이) |
| Park Sung-il | Ha Hyun-woo (Guckkasten) | 3:29 |
| 2. | "Sweet Night" |
| V (BTS) | 3:34 | |
| 3. | "Say" |
| 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 |
| 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.) |
| 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.) |
| 4:17 | ||
| Total length: | 50:50 | ||||
| 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 | ||
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Defence" |
| 1:22 |
| 2. | "Impressive Day" (인상적인 하루) |
| 3:00 |
| 3. | "His Night" (이 남자의 밤) |
| 2:50 |
| 4. | "A Word of Love" (사랑한단 말) |
| 3:48 |
| 5. | "You Are Always Shining Too Bright To Me" (넌 나한테 항상 지나치게 빛나) |
| 3:13 |
| 6. | "I'm Going To Crush You All" (내가 다 부숴버릴 거야) |
| 3:04 |
| 7. | "It's Still Bitter" (아직 씁니다) |
| 4:26 |
| 8. | "I Don't Mind That You Don't Feel The Same Way" (보답받지 못하는 마음이라도) |
| 2:52 |
| 9. | "It's Funny I'm Feeling This Way At My Age" (이 나이에 이런 감정) |
| 2:48 |
| 10. | "IC Inc." (주식회사 IC) |
| 2:59 |
| 11. | "Truth Game" (진실게임) |
| 3:15 |
| 12. | "I Look Forward To It, Partner" (잘 부탁한다, 파트너) |
| 2:39 |
| 13. | "I've Changed Quite a Lot" (난 꽤나 많이 변했어) |
| 2:48 |
| 14. | "I Don't Have To Convince Others About Who I Am" (내가 나인 것에 다른 사람의 납득은 필요 없다) |
| 3:31 |
| 15. | "You Have No Idea How Proud I Was" (얼마나 자랑스러운 아들이냐) |
| 2:40 |
| 16. | "All You Need Is One Word" (그냥 말 한마디면 돼요) |
| 2:02 |
| 17. | "How Does It Taste?" (술맛이 어떠냐?) |
| 2:20 |
| 18. | "Still We Are" (여전히 우린) |
| 2:12 |
| 19. | "We Can Do It" (우리는 된다) |
| 2:59 |
| 20. | "Fresh Start" (새로운 시작) |
| 2:44 |
| 21. | "I Want To Know More About You" (난 니가 궁금해) |
| 1:53 |
| 22. | "So why can't the earth just explode so this can all end?" (차라리 지구가 터져버렸으면 좋겠다) |
| 2:11 |
| 23. | "Because I'm Korean" (저 한국 사람인데요) |
| 1:35 |
| 24. | "An Unreasonable World" (불합리한 세상) |
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Start Over" (시작) | Seo Dong-sung | Park Sung-il | Gaho | 3:20 |
| 2. | "Start Over" (Inst.) | Park Sung-il | 3:20 | ||
| Total length: | 6:40 | ||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Diamond" (돌덩이) |
| Park Sung-il | Ha Hyun-woo (Guckkasten) | 3:29 |
| 2. | "Diamond" (Inst.) | Park Sung-il | 3:29 | ||
| Total length: | 6:58 | ||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Our Souls at Night" (우리의 밤) | Lee Chi-hoon | Park Sung-il | Sondia | 4:44 |
| 2. | "Our Souls at Night" (Inst.) | Park Sung-il | 4:44 | ||
| Total length: | 9:28 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Are We Just Friends?" (우린 친구뿐일까) | Seo Dong-sung | Park Sung-il | Sondia | 3:48 |
| 2. | "Maybe" |
| Park Sung-il | Sondia | 3:48 |
| 3. | "Defence" |
| 1:22 | ||
| 4. | "Are We Just Friends?" (Inst.) | Park Sung-il | 3:48 | ||
| Total length: | 12:46 | ||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Say" |
| Park Sung-il | Yoon Mi-rae | 4:20 |
| 2. | "Say" (Inst.) | Park Sung-il | 4:20 | ||
| Total length: | 8:40 | ||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "With Us" | Taibian |
| Verivery | 4:17 |
| 2. | "With Us" (Inst.) |
| 4:17 | ||
| Total length: | 8:34 | ||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "No Break" (직진) | Lee Chi-hoon | Park Sung-il | The Vane | 2:53 |
| 2. | "No Break" (Inst.) | Park Sung-il | 2:53 | ||
| Total length: | 5:46 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| Title | Year | Peak positions |
Remarks | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR | ||||
| "Start Over" (시작) (Gaho) | 2020 | 1 | Part 2 | |
| "Diamond" (돌덩이) (Ha Hyun-woo (Guckkasten)) | 4 | Part 3 | ||
| "Someday, the Boy" (그때 그 아인) (Kim Feel) | 3 | Part 6 | ||
| "Say" (Yoon Mi-rae) | 63 | Part 8 | ||
| "No Words" (어떤 말도) (Crush) | 76 | Part 11 | ||
| "Sweet Night" (V) | 14 | Part 12 |
Itaewon Class' final episode recorded a 16.548% nationwide audience share, making it the fifth-highest viewership rating in JTBC, and the 14th highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history, just slightly under Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce). 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.
Time Magazine included Itaewon Class on its list of "The 10 Best Korean Dramas to Watch on Netflix". Forbes included the series on its list of "The 13 Best Korean Dramas Of 2020". The Guardian mentioned the drama in an article recommending Korean dramas to watch after finishing Squid Game. 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.

| 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 | |
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share (Nielsen Korea) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% | |||
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 56th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Director (TV) | Kim Seong-yoon | Nominated | |
| 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 | ||
| 15th Seoul International Drama Awards | Best Mini Series - Silver Bird Prize | Itaewon Class | Won | [unreliable source?] | |
| 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best OST | Gaho ("Start Over") | Won | [unreliable source?][unreliable source?] | |
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| 2021 | 25th Asian Television Awards | Best Drama Series | Itaewon Class | Won | |
| 7th APAN Star Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Park Seo-joon | Nominated | [unreliable source?] | |
| 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 | [unreliable source?] | |
| Ha Hyun-woo ("Diamond") | Nominated | ||||
| Kim Feel ("Someday, The Boy") | Nominated | ||||
| Korea Communications Commission Broadcasting Awards | Excellence Award | Itaewon Class | Won |
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8. | "Start Over" | Damon | Park Sung-il | Chris Lyon |