Weak Hero Class 2 had a tricky act to observe after the extraordinary emotional devastation of its predecessor. Sadly, it pulls its punches in terms of its emotional beats in favor of rushing via its plot, making for much less impactful storytelling. It’s a disgrace, too, as a result of a lot of Yeon Si-eun’s (Park Ji-hoon) journey is spent being haunted by what occurred to Ahn Su-ho (Choi Hyun-wook) final season. And the friendship meant to show that he’s beginning to heal isn’t wholly developed sufficient to hit dwelling.

Set not too lengthy after the final season ended, Si-eun is beginning over at Eunjang Excessive, the one college prepared to take him after he was blackballed from faculties in Seoul. Rumors observe him, with many speculating that he got here to the college after killing a pupil. What is supposed to be a recent begin for Si-eun is extra of the identical, with bullies selecting on the weak throughout him. Nonetheless, he’s not as fast to intervene. His thoughts is haunted by recollections of what occurred to Su-ho, who stays comatose.  Si-eun merely needs to be left alone.

In fact, that’s not going to occur. After witnessing Choi Hyo-man (Yoo Su-bin) going too far in beating up the dear cinnamon bun of a pupil, Search engine optimization Jun-tae (Choi Min-young), Si-eun channels Su-ho and intervenes with calculated violence that attracts the eye of Go Hyun-tak (Lee Min-jae), and inevitably, Eunjang Excessive’s prime canine, Park Hu-min aka Baku (Ryeoun). All through Weak Hero Class 2, Si-eun finds friendship amongst these college students, however Su-ho’s shadow nonetheless lingers with Si-eun’s eternal guilt.

That guilt permeates his actions as his acquaintance with Baku inevitably drags him right into a a lot bigger conspiracy surrounding the gang alliance often called the Union. On the coronary heart of it’s the chilly teen chief, Na Baek-jin (Bae Na-ra), obsessive about bringing Baku into the fold by any means mandatory. He calls for obedience in any respect prices, instantly placing a goal on Si-eun’s again. Si-eun’s want for self-preservation in the end will get overridden when Jun-tae calls him, main him to take a position on this battle towards Baek-jin and the Union.

New characters launched in Weak Class Hero 2 pale compared.

Bae Na-ra in Weak Hero Class 2

A part of Weak Hero Class 1‘s power was in how a lot time it took to construct the friendship between Si-eun, Su-ho, and Oh Beom-seok (Hong Kyung). This time was well-spent. By the point the sequence took a flip, it barreled in direction of an unavoidable tragedy that meted out well-earned, if barely rushed, emotional devastation. Weak Hero Class 2 doesn’t come near fleshing out its new characters sufficient to earn that emotional funding, even with the numerous screentime centered on Baku and Baek-jin.

Regardless of Ryeoun and Bae Na-ra’s earnest appearing efforts, the sophisticated nature of their characters’ relationship by no means totally resonates. There are apparent gaps in growth that their appearing skill can’t gloss over, making the battle really feel just a little compelled. Whereas that is taking place, Baku’s mates are looking for a method to take down the Union, resulting in the plot bouncing round with little finesse. That’s to not say it’s not fairly tense for the majority of those plot developments, nevertheless it’s a case of doing an excessive amount of.

Whereas Si-eun will get placed on the again burner in favor of Baku and Baek-jin, actor Park Ji-hoon advantages from pre-established character growth that carries over into the brand new season. The echoes of Si-eun’s previous hang-out him, along with his thoughts virtually all the time on Su-ho and the guilt he carries. But, Si-eun shouldn’t be removed from the sting, with each occasion of somebody making an attempt his endurance resulting in Ji-hoon’s well-executed micro expressions belying all the fad the teenager carries inside.

It’s clear that a part of Si-eun’s journey is about discovering steadiness and therapeutic. This surfaces blatantly midway via Weak Hero Class 2 when he’s about to make a life-changing choice. Regardless of selecting to be alone, he has tasted friendship and is aware of the nice it may possibly convey, but additionally what occurs when it falls aside. Whereas his option to push via his stasis is heartwarming, the writing on this season undercuts its affect with how little his new friendship this season feels as sturdy and earned because the earlier.

Park Ji-hoon’s Si-eun will get by with character growth carrying over into this season.

Park Ji-hoon in Weak Hero Class 2

With solely eight episodes, Weak Hero Class 2 is compelled to separate its time between its plot and characters, and suffers for it.  By way of build up the depth, the pacing set is smart. The pacing is frenetic, going full velocity forward for higher or worse. However in going bigger with its felony empire and introducing a litany of latest characters, the sequence would have benefited tremendously from having a bigger episode depend to offer time to flesh out the characters and relationships.

Nonetheless, one character advantages tremendously from his minimal screentime, and that’s the psychotic Geum Seong-jae (Lee Jun-young). Regardless of the questionable wig they placed on Lee Jun-young, inside minutes of the character’s introduction in Weak Hero Class 2, you already know instantly what you’re getting. This character craves a good struggle, even at his personal expense. Within the quick screentime we get with Seong-jae, Jun-young offers all the things to his efficiency, promoting us on the manic, unpredictable vitality of the character. Except for Si-eun, Seong-jae is probably the most clearly outlined character of Weak Hero Class 2.

By the tip of Weak Hero Class 2, the closing scenes appear to arrange a possible third season, ought to Netflix resolve to proceed the sequence. Nonetheless, given the streaming service’s innate skill to damage issues earlier than it develops legs, don’t get your hopes up. That bitterness apart, Si-eun’s arc involves fruition. Beginning the season, he was afraid to make mates. Now, he’s surrounded by individuals who take care of him and with one of the best information he may have ever obtained. It exhibits how far all the backstory given in Class 1 has gone to make this second really feel good.

Good writing shouldn’t fully depend on what’s come earlier than, but Weak Hero Class 2 by no means totally weaponizes what made its predecessor so sturdy. It lucks into a few of its stronger moments with Si-eun, however very similar to Si-eun, Weak Hero Class 2 is haunted by how a lot it pales in comparison with Class 1. It pulls its punches when it counts, and takes wild swings that by no means land in pursuit of one thing extra formidable. Sadly, when poorly executed, ambition results in less-than-satisfying viewing and hopes of what may have been.

Weak Hero Class 2 is now streaming completely on Netflix.

Weak Hero Class 2

5.5/10

TL;DR

Weak Hero Class 2 pulls its punches when it counts, and takes wild swings that by no means land in pursuit of one thing extra formidable.