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.
‘Itaewon Class’ to be remade in Philippines, Vietnam
Poster for JTBC drama "Itaewon Class" / Courtesy of JTBC
By Park Jin-hai
JTBC’s hit drama “Itaewon Class” will be remade for audiences in the Philippines and Vietnam.
The adaptation rights were recently sold, confirming that local production teams in both countries will bring new versions of the series to life.
Attention is now focused on who will fill the role of Park Saeroyi — the character originally portrayed by Park Seo-joon — as casting decisions for the Philippine and Vietnamese remakes become a topic of anticipation and speculation.
Based on Kakao Entertainment’s widely popular webcomic of the same name, “Itaewon Class” follows Park Saeroyi, whose life undergoes a dramatic shift after he is expelled from school for punching a bully and rich heir, Jang Geun-won (Ahn Bo-hyun). Following the death of his father, Park opens a restaurant in the popular Itaewon neighborhood, going head-to-head against the Jang family’s big food company.
Premiering in January 2020, “Itaewon Class” rapidly captured viewers’ attention, starting with a 5 percent viewership rating (Nielsen Korea) and ending its 16-episode run with a peak rating of 16.5 percent. The series became a global hit through Netflix, maintaining top international rankings well after its finale, earning the reputation of being “embedded like a fossil” among worldwide fans.
In Vietnam, “Itaewon Class” emerged as the most Googled drama in 2020, reflecting its cultural resonance and enduring popularity among local audiences.
Fans and local personalities from the region have shared how the show inspired them to pursue their dreams and build resilience, with various posts and reviews highlighting popular lines about self-worth and life choices. One fan in Manila said on Facebook, “Park Saeroyi reminds us to 'dream bigger and strive harder,'” while posting famous quotes from the drama. Another fan shared on social media platform Reddit, “I think what I liked the most is seeing all these flawed characters and watching them grow throughout the show.”
Previously, this work was remade and aired in Japan in 2022 under the name “Roppongi Class.” At that time, actor Ryoma Takeuchi took on the role of Park Saeroyi. Although there were evaluations that parts of the remake were somewhat lacking compared to the original, it achieved a stable performance locally, recording a 10.7 percent viewership rating.