Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
'ONE: High School Heroes' is action series with emotional depth
Actors Lee Jung-ha, left, and Kim Do-wan pose during a press conference for Wavve's original series "ONE: High School Heroes" at Lotte Cinema in Gwangjin District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
By Park Jin-hai
Following the success of the hit school action series "Weak Hero," Wavve returns with another standout entry in the genre: "ONE: High School Heroes."
Adapted from Lee Eun-jae’s webtoon "ONE," which has amassed over 65 million views, the drama centers on a top student with natural fighting prowess, who is tormented by relentless pressure from his father, and his classmate, a mysterious transfer student who is eager to exploit his friend's abilities. Together, the boys don masks and form the "High School Heroes," channeling their pent-up rage to upend the school’s violent hierarchy in a gripping, action-packed school drama.
Lee Seong-tae, known for films like "Derailed" (2016) and "By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture" (2019), is making his TV directing debut with this series.
"We followed the theme of the original webtoon, so we don't just stop at a one-dimensional portrayal of school violence. This drama also delves deeply into layers of violence, such as domestic abuse and societal pressure that values academic achievement above all else. I believe we can deliver a profound emotional impact to viewers," the director said during a press conference at Lotte Cinema in Gangjin District, Seoul, Wednesday.
Asked about how the drama differentiates itself from existing school dramas, Lee noted how important this issue is in Korean society right now.
"Since 'ONE: High School Heroes' also deals with this, I don't think we can stray too far from what other works have addressed. However, what moved me about the original was that its discourse on violence doesn't remain one-dimensional. Not only the protagonists, but even the villains who appear in each episode all have their own inner wounds and pain. I approached action scenes as emotional scenes during filming, and I was careful not to glamorize or aesthetically package violence," he said sincerely.
Actor Lee Jung-ha, following his appearance in Disney+’s "Moving," once again dons a school uniform, taking on the role of Ui-gyeom, a top student whose suppressed fighting instincts awaken in the series.
“If my character in ‘Moving’ was bright and harmless, in this drama, my character has a rather gloomy and dark side due to his father’s oppression. It was a new challenge for me," he said.
"Ui-gyeom possesses a natural talent for fighting. He can mimic martial arts moves after seeing them just once and uses this ability cleverly. Because of this, I performed a lot of action scenes."
Yuk Jun-seo poses during a press conference for Wavve's original series "ONE: High School Heroes" at Lotte Cinema in Gwangjin District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Yuk Jun-seo, who gained attention through reality shows "The Iron Squad" and "Single’s Inferno" Season 4, appears as the mysterious transfer student Geol-jae. After a brief appearance in the 2023 Netflix original series "Sweet Home 2," he is finally making his official acting debut with this drama.
“Honestly, I auditioned and was cast for the role before I had fully established my identity as an actor. I’m sure the director must have been quite worried," he recalled.
Director Lee revealed he spent a lot of time considering who to cast as Geol-jae since he is a very compelling character in the original work and a legendary figure in the same universe in the webtoon author’s other series, "Ten."
“I was looking for an actor who could embody Geol-jae’s unique aura. If the portrayal was one-dimensional, it would ruin the character. After much consideration, I met with Yuk several times and saw the potential in him to bring out what he truly feels, rather than forcing an expression, and that’s what convinced me,” director Lee explained.
Given the series’ fast-paced storyline and diverse action sequences — from boxing and kendo to jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai — casting Yuk as Geol-jae feels like a natural choice. Known for his physicality as a former soldier and artist, Yuk brings a unique intensity to the role.
“Before ‘The Iron Squad’ and underwater demolition team (UDT) at the ROK Navy, art was the medium through which I expressed myself. What I value most in art is expression — speaking up without worrying about others’ opinions. After trying acting, I realized it shares a similar path with art. I want to seize every opportunity and devote myself entirely to acting from now on. That’s just the way I am when I pursue something," Yuk said, giving a glimpse into his passion for acting.
"ONE: High School Heroes" consists of eight episodes, with the first half dropping on May 30 through Wavve.