Summary
Hierarchyis Netflix’s new high schoolK-drama, and I believe it can become the streamer’s next major hit, especially if it returns for season 2. Netflix has become the home to some of myfavorite K-dramasof recent years, from original titles likeLove AlarmandSquid Gameto licensedshows likeQueen of TearsandThe Atypical Family. Although there are a lot of K-drama genres, high school dramas are usually among the most successfulKorean series on Netflix.
Even shows that would not necessarily be described as high school stories often use this particular setting, one major example beingAll of Us Are Dead. As such,it can be difficult for a new high school drama to stand out among all the other Korean series available on Netflix.Hierarchywas not the show many were expecting it to be, myself included, but it still delivered a strong series that could be among Netflix’s biggest K-drama hits of 2024.
Hierarchy Has All The Ingredients To Be Netflix’s Next K-Drama Hit
Hierarchy has love triangles, murder mysteries, and lots of secrets
From love triangles to murder mysteries,I believeHierarchyhas all the ingredients to be Netflix’s next teen drama hit.The show, which has so far been described as a limited series, takes place in a fictional school attended by South Korea’s richest 0.01%. Apart from the scholarship students, all students at Jooshin Academy come from Korea’s wealthiest, most powerful families. There is a clear separation between the rich students and the ones who entered Jooshin Academy through the scholarship program, one that often leads to bullying. This cruel dynamic is challenged by the arrival of Kang Ha.
Lee Won-jung
Lee Woo-jin
Thought to be just another transfer scholarship student,Kang Ha infiltrated Jooshin to find out what happened to his brother, Kang In-han.Surrounded by mean, powerful kids whose families can disappear with any problems, Kang Ha must trust in no one but himself to discover what led to his brother’s death.AllHierarchycharactersseem suspect when Kang Ha arrives, especially because most of them see no problem with the way scholarship students are treated by the rich ones.Hierarchyalso has a complicated love quadrangle, not to mention all the secrets and betrayals.
Netflix’s Hierarchy Is Not A Flawless K-Drama
Hierarchy didn’t fully live up to the hype
Although I believeHierarchycould be Netflix’s next big thing, the show does have flaws. Compared to otherrevenge K-dramas,Kang Ha’s journey leaves much to be desired.The series succeeds in some aspects, such as the mystery surrounding In-han’s death, yet others are not so compelling.Hierarchywas expected to be aK-drama version of Elite, which was not the case. Still, given the high production quality and the talent of its cast,Hierarchyis one of the most interesting Netflix 2024 K-dramas.
AlthoughHierarchymight not stand out from the best K-dramas of its genre, it could still be a big hit for Netflix.
Web series likeHierarchytend to have a bigger budget than the usual broadcast K-dramas. Korean web series also follows a different format from the usual K-dramas, with fewer episodes and faster pacing that makes them perfect to binge. Despite its flaws,Hierarchyis a “bingeable” K-drama full of twists and cliffhangersthat will leave viewers hooked. AlthoughHierarchymight not stand out from the best K-dramas of its genre, it could still be a big hit for Netflix. Whether it will be as big as other Netflix web-series likeAll of Us Are DeadandSweet Homeremains to be seen.
Hierarchy’s Impact May Depend On Whether Season 2 Will Happen
Will Hierarchy remain as a limited series only?
Netflix’s most successful Korean web series have all continued beyond their first seasons. This includes shows likeLove Alarm,Sweet Home,All of Us Are Dead, andSquid Game, all of which made quite the impact upon their premiere and were quickly renewed for more seasons. Interestingly, whileHierarchyis technically a limited series, I believe there is more than enough room for the show to continue. One particular cliffhanger in episode 7 strongly suggestsHierarchyseason 2 could still happen, even though the rest of the finale was very self-contained.
Hierarchy’s 5 Main Characters, Ranked Worst To Best
Netflix’s Hierarchy K-drama had a strong set of main characters, from a scholarship student on a quest to avenge his dead brother to Jooshin royalty.
AlthoughHierarchy’s main plot was resolved within seven episodes, the show’s setting and characters are interesting enough to be revisited in future seasons. For example,Hierarchyseason 2 could see the arrival of new students amidst a new murder mystery set up at the end of season 1. TheK-dramacan also revisit the love triangle involving Jae-i, Ri-an, and Kang Ha, which was not settled in season 1.Hierarchymay not have been the show I was expecting, but I still think it has a lot of potential if it grows beyond its limited series status.
