Review Heesu in Class 2 (2025) BY GayinYourArea
Heesu in Class 2 is a drama that tries to strike a delicate balance between staying true to its BL roots and adapting to a broader audience, but somewhere along the way, it seems to lose focus. The story revolves around Hui Su, a self-proclaimed dating expert who’s ironically never been in a relationship. Beneath his confident exterior lies a quiet, longstanding love for his best friend, Chan Yeong. Things start to shift when Chan Yeong begins to show interest in Ji Yu, a fellow student and secret idol. This emotional shift triggers a string of events that pull Hui Su closer to Seung Won, the class president who, surprisingly, seems to be more interested in Hui Su than in Ji Yu.
From the beginning, there's a lot to admire about the way this drama approaches character development—especially Hui Su and Seung Won. Ahn Ji Ho’s portrayal of Hui Su is layered and introspective. He captures the struggle of unspoken love with restraint and vulnerability. Seung Won, played by Lee Sang Jun, offers a different kind of energy—gentle, sincere, and almost painfully shy. Their chemistry is slow-burning but convincing, particularly in the scenes where Seung Won's intentions become clearer. The line, "Because I wanted to keep hanging out with you," is delivered with just the right amount of softness and yearning. It's these small, honest moments that make the show feel grounded and real.
There are also standout scenes that show Hui Su’s kindness and emotional maturity, like his quiet support of a girl opening up about liking another girl. That scene, early in the first episode, subtly reminds us that Hui Su’s world isn’t just about his crush—it’s about empathy and understanding, too. It’s one of those rare moments that doesn’t feel overly scripted or forced, and it really helps shape the tone of the drama as something more than just romantic fluff.
But then, the drama starts to falter. One of the first things that feels off is the casting. The actors, while talented, don’t quite sell the illusion of being high schoolers. Their maturity, both in appearance and presence, creates a disconnect with the youthful setting of the story. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it makes the high school backdrop feel like a costume party rather than a believable environment. Honestly, the story might’ve worked better if it had been set in a university or early workplace setting.
More frustrating, though, is the choice to inject a "straight" romance subplot between Chan Yeong and Ji Yu. It doesn’t exist in the source material, and it feels like an unnecessary detour from the original focus. The time and attention given to this relationship come at the expense of the central gay storyline, which ends up feeling rushed in comparison. It’s not until the later episodes that we really start to see Hui Su and Seung Won’s relationship take meaningful shape. By then, it’s almost too late for the emotional payoff to land with full impact.
What’s more disappointing is the erasure of the second gay couple from the original webtoon. Their presence in the source material added dimension and gave Hui Su a sense of community—proof that happiness in same-sex relationships is possible and not just something to quietly long for. Cutting them from the drama not only removes valuable representation, it also weakens Hui Su’s personal growth. It was a missed opportunity, especially when the writers clearly had the creative license to invent a straight romance out of thin air. Why not use that same freedom to include queer stories that already exist in the source?
Despite all that, it’s clear that this adaptation wasn’t made without care. There are sincere efforts to represent gay relationships with warmth and dignity, and Hui Su’s emotional journey isn’t entirely sidelined. It just feels like the producers were hesitant to go all in. Maybe they were trying to appease mainstream audiences, maybe they were playing it safe. But in doing so, they undercut the potential for something truly meaningful.
Heesu in Class 2 is still worth watching, especially for fans of slow-burn BL dramas with heart. It has its moments—moments that are tender, relatable, and beautifully acted. But it could’ve been more. It could’ve been bolder. For a drama about self-discovery and love, it holds back when it should’ve leaned in.
From the beginning, there's a lot to admire about the way this drama approaches character development—especially Hui Su and Seung Won. Ahn Ji Ho’s portrayal of Hui Su is layered and introspective. He captures the struggle of unspoken love with restraint and vulnerability. Seung Won, played by Lee Sang Jun, offers a different kind of energy—gentle, sincere, and almost painfully shy. Their chemistry is slow-burning but convincing, particularly in the scenes where Seung Won's intentions become clearer. The line, "Because I wanted to keep hanging out with you," is delivered with just the right amount of softness and yearning. It's these small, honest moments that make the show feel grounded and real.
There are also standout scenes that show Hui Su’s kindness and emotional maturity, like his quiet support of a girl opening up about liking another girl. That scene, early in the first episode, subtly reminds us that Hui Su’s world isn’t just about his crush—it’s about empathy and understanding, too. It’s one of those rare moments that doesn’t feel overly scripted or forced, and it really helps shape the tone of the drama as something more than just romantic fluff.
But then, the drama starts to falter. One of the first things that feels off is the casting. The actors, while talented, don’t quite sell the illusion of being high schoolers. Their maturity, both in appearance and presence, creates a disconnect with the youthful setting of the story. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it makes the high school backdrop feel like a costume party rather than a believable environment. Honestly, the story might’ve worked better if it had been set in a university or early workplace setting.
More frustrating, though, is the choice to inject a "straight" romance subplot between Chan Yeong and Ji Yu. It doesn’t exist in the source material, and it feels like an unnecessary detour from the original focus. The time and attention given to this relationship come at the expense of the central gay storyline, which ends up feeling rushed in comparison. It’s not until the later episodes that we really start to see Hui Su and Seung Won’s relationship take meaningful shape. By then, it’s almost too late for the emotional payoff to land with full impact.
What’s more disappointing is the erasure of the second gay couple from the original webtoon. Their presence in the source material added dimension and gave Hui Su a sense of community—proof that happiness in same-sex relationships is possible and not just something to quietly long for. Cutting them from the drama not only removes valuable representation, it also weakens Hui Su’s personal growth. It was a missed opportunity, especially when the writers clearly had the creative license to invent a straight romance out of thin air. Why not use that same freedom to include queer stories that already exist in the source?
Despite all that, it’s clear that this adaptation wasn’t made without care. There are sincere efforts to represent gay relationships with warmth and dignity, and Hui Su’s emotional journey isn’t entirely sidelined. It just feels like the producers were hesitant to go all in. Maybe they were trying to appease mainstream audiences, maybe they were playing it safe. But in doing so, they undercut the potential for something truly meaningful.
Heesu in Class 2 is still worth watching, especially for fans of slow-burn BL dramas with heart. It has its moments—moments that are tender, relatable, and beautifully acted. But it could’ve been more. It could’ve been bolder. For a drama about self-discovery and love, it holds back when it should’ve leaned in.
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GayinYourArea
Heesu in Class 2 (2025)
2반 이희수
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
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