The hit K-drama Itaewon Class, which captivated audiences with its inspiring underdog story and iconic hairstyles, is officially set to be remade in the Philippines and Vietnam.
According to a report by Hankyung on October 16, the remake rights for Itaewon Class have been sold, and local productions are now in motion. The upcoming adaptations will follow in the footsteps of the Japanese version, Roppongi Class, which aired in 2022.
Originally led by Park Seo Joon as the stoic and determined protagonist Park Saeroyi, Itaewon Class gained massive popularity when it aired on JTBC in 2020 and later streamed on Netflix, garnering global attention. The show reached a peak domestic viewership rating of 16.5%, and sparked a massive fashion trend with Park Seo Joon’s signature hairstyle.
The Japanese remake starred Ryoma Takeuchi and, while met with mixed reactions compared to the original, still recorded a respectable 10.7% viewership rating. That version was a Korea-Japan co-production involving JTBC, Kakao Entertainment, and TV Asahi, with direct input from original director Kim Sung Yoon and webtoon creator-writer Gwang Jin.
Details about the cast and production team for the Philippine and Vietnamese remakes are still under wraps, but fans are eager to see which local stars will take on the role of Park Saeroyi.
Produced by Sunny K Production Company, the remakes aim to localize the original drama’s message of resilience, justice, and self-made success, while incorporating cultural nuances and urban aesthetics unique to each country.
In particular, Itaewon Class holds a special place in Vietnamese pop culture, ranking as the most-searched drama on Google Trends Vietnam in 2020, and being widely regarded as a “national drama.”
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
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