Popular Netflix K-Drama Returns With Impressive Debut Numbers… And Some Backlash

The highly anticipated second season of the hit Netflix K-Drama Weak Hero Class 2 has made a strong debut, but reactions have been mixed among fans.

Released on April 25, the new season quickly captured worldwide attention, landing high on Netflix charts across 91 of 93 serviced countries. The show also earned a score of 708 points, placing it second globally, just behind the final season of You.

In the United States, where it is notoriously difficult for non-English shows to rank highly, Weak Hero Class 2 climbed to an impressive third place, beating its first season’s fifth-place achievement.

Following the story of Yeon Si Eun (Park Jihoon), Season 2 sees the character transferring to Eunjang High School, where he befriends Park Hu Min (Ryeo Un), Seo Jun Tae (Choi Min Young), and Go Hyun Tak (Lee Min Jae). However, peace is short-lived as Yeon Si Eun faces a new and more dangerous threat — a violent group known as Union. Notorious members like Na Baek Jin (Bae Na Ra) and Geum Seong Je (Lee Jun Young) introduce even bigger challenges for the main characters.

While the series’ strong global presence and Park Jihoon’s praised performance have been celebrated, some fans have voiced concerns. Viewers familiar with Season 1 or the original webtoon have noted that the story’s direction in Season 2 feels less cohesive, making it harder to stay emotionally invested.

• “Park Jihoon completely became Yeon Si Eun”
• “The Yeon vs. Geum Battle had me on the edge of my seat. Seriously, that scene made me become a Park Jihoon fan.”
• “I forced myself to watch Season 2 because I’m a Season 1 fan, but all it did was make me realize just how much of a masterpiece Season 1 was and how insanely good the actors were. Honestly, I’m disappointed in so many ways.”
• “Yeon Si Eun and Ahn Su Ho’s relationship is it for me. It’s a friendship that’s even deeper and more heartbreaking than love.”
• “Season 2 twisted the story weirdly, so it was hard to stay immersed. That said, from a fan of the webtoon’s point of view, the actor who played Baku was so in sync with the original. It was kind of funny seeing how different the perspectives are — like, some people were mad calling it a miscasting just because he doesn’t look conventionally handsome, but to me, it was just spot on. I couldn’t help but laugh lol.”

Despite the mixed opinions, one thing is clear: Weak Hero Class 2 has successfully kept its momentum and expanded its fanbase.