Before diving into the cracks in the adaptation of Heesu in Class 2, I have to pause and genuinely applaud the casting choices. Both Ahn Ji Ho and Lee Sang Jun deserve credit for stepping into roles that challenge the norm and open the door to broader queer representation. Ahn Ji Ho especially stands out—known for his role in the mainstream zombie hit All of Us Are Dead, he shows real courage by embracing a non-straight character. It’s refreshing and admirable to see popular young actors lead a BL adaptation with sincerity.
Their on-screen chemistry? Heartwarming. Sang Jun (Seung Won) plays the bashful, love-struck admirer, who’s clearly doing everything he can to get closer to Ji Ho (Hee Su). It mirrors the Manhwa’s tone well. From lying about his crush to sneak in more time with Hee Su, to nudging him toward confronting his real feelings—it’s all delicately done.
Seung Won: “I don’t like Ji Yu.”
Hee Su: “Why did you lie?”
Seung Won: “Because I wanted to keep hanging out with you.”
Even in the drama, this gentle tension builds subtly. And there’s a particularly standout moment in Episode 1 (5:10–7:04), where Hee Su listens with quiet compassion to a woman struggling with her same-sex attraction. That one scene struck me deeply—it’s one of my favorite parts of the entire show. Thoughtful, honest, and beautifully acted.
Let’s talk casting first. Although everyone looked great, their mature appearance didn’t quite match the high school roles they were portraying. I understand this is a common issue in school dramas, but in this case, it broke the immersion more than usual. Setting the story in a university or workplace might have made more sense visually.
Still, I can live with that. The bigger issue is the storytelling and structure. The pacing was uneven, and the show’s hesitation to fully embrace its queer narrative was hard to ignore. The gay romance was constantly sidelined to make room for a “safe” straight couple, which—frankly—didn’t exist in the source material.
Let’s be clear: “Heesu in Class 2” is a gay story. The Manhwa doesn’t center a straight romance between Chan Yeong and Ji Yu—in fact, it features a second gay couple, Sun Woo and Yoo Dahm, whose storyline is completely erased from the drama.
This choice felt like a missed opportunity. Instead of inventing a heterosexual romance, the writers could’ve incorporated content from Season 2 of the Manhwa. Merging both seasons into the 10-episode drama would’ve made creative and narrative sense, especially since Sun Woo and Yoo Dahm are in the same class as Hee Su. Their presence could’ve acted as a mirror, giving Hee Su a tangible example of queer love and the courage to follow his own path.
What’s frustrating is how we’re told not to “ship” same-sex friendships in source materials or risk being accused of ruining platonic bonds. But in dramas, male-female friendships are routinely sacrificed in favor of romance—without anyone batting an eye. Why is it okay in one case and not the other?
Hee Su’s story deserves to be about Hee Su and Seung Won. Full stop. Inserting a heterosexual subplot only diluted the core message and emotional arc that made the original work special. It’s not about being anti-straight. It’s about preserving the integrity of queer narratives, which are still underrepresented and often watered down for broader appeal.
Now, for those wondering: “Do you hate this drama?” No. I don’t. If I did, I wouldn’t give it an 8/10.
What frustrated me is that it had all the right ingredients—two compelling leads, a thoughtful aesthetic, a beautiful OST, a charming opening animation, and that delicate, poetic touch (especially the references to astronomy). Even Hee Su’s dynamic with his sister was endearing and could’ve been explored more.
But somewhere along the way, the narrative lost its focus. If I had to rename the drama, I’d call it:
“Chan Yeong and His Love Story in Class 2… featuring Hee Su.”
Because that’s how it felt: like the main leads were guests in their own show.
It’s as if the writers weren’t sure where they wanted to go. Every episode felt like a fresh reset—no real emotional buildup, just fragmented scenes tied loosely together.
And yet, despite all that, there’s something about Hee Su and Seung Won that pulls you in. Every little moment they shared had authenticity. The actors gave their all, even when the script didn’t always support them. It’s what makes this drama so endearingly frustrating—you keep watching because you believe it could get better.
Heesu in Class 2 was like chasing a mirage—the closer I got, the more it slipped away.
It flickered with potential, sparkled in glimpses, but never truly ignited. Still, for what it is—a part-BL, part-gay coming-of-age adaptation—it’s a step forward. And even though it didn’t fully deliver, it still matters.
Would I recommend it?
Yes—I recommend Heesu in Class 2 but with tempered expectations. Watch it for the tender chemistry between the leads, the sincere performances, and the quiet moments that shine despite the clutter.
Just don’t expect it to do justice to all that it could’ve been.
Watch it on Viki