The hit K-drama Itaewon classwhich captivated audiences with its inspiring underdog story and iconic hairstyles, will be officially remade in the Philippines and Vietnam.
According to a report from Hankyung on October 16, the remake rights of Itaewon class have been sold and local productions are now in motion. Future adaptations will follow in the footsteps of the Japanese version, Roppongi classaired in 2022.
Originally led by Park Seo Joon as the stoic and determined protagonist Park Saeroyi, Itaewon class gained immense popularity when it aired on JTBC in 2020 and later streamed on Netflix, attracting global attention. The show reached a peak domestic viewership of 16.5% and sparked a huge fashion trend with Park Seo Joon’s signature hairstyle.
The Japanese remake starred Ryoma Takeuchi, and while it met with mixed reactions compared to the original, it still posted a respectable 10.7% viewership rating. That version was a Korea-Japan co-production involving JTBC, Kakao Entertainment and TV Asahi, with direct contributions from original director Kim Sung Yoon and webtoon creator and writer Gwang Jin.
Details about the cast and production team of the Philippine and Vietnamese remakes are still under wraps, but fans are eager to see which local stars will take on Park Saeroyi’s role.
Produced by Sunny K Production Company, the remakes aim to localize the original drama’s message of resilience, justice and self-made success, 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 considered a “national drama”.
Sources: Nate News
