Hierarchy Review: High School Royalty Gets Schooled (Review) – Hold On To Your BUTS
Buckle up, drama lovers, because Hierarchy on Netflix is about to blow your mind. Forget your typical high school rom-com – this show throws you headfirst into a world where money talks and it screams louder than any pep rally.
Think Gossip Girl on steroids, with a dash of Hunger Games and a whole lot of social commentary that’ll leave you shaken. Here’s the deal: Kang Ha, the new girl at Jooshin High, is a total enigma. Whispers follow her like smoke from a suspicious fire drill, and rumors swirl faster than the Korean stock market.
One thing’s clear – she doesn’t play by the school’s twisted rules. Her arrival throws a wrench into the perfectly oiled machine that is Kim Ri-An’s reign (think arrogant heir with a trust fund the size of Texas).
Get ready for power struggles that would make Machiavelli clutch his pearls, alliances that shift faster than a K-Pop dance break, and betrayals so shocking, you’ll need a cold shower (and maybe a therapist) after each episode.
But Hierarchy is more than just a playground for the rich and ruthless. It’s a fight for justice, a rebellion brewing beneath the surface of Jooshin’s gilded cage. So, ditch your textbooks, grab your snacks, and get ready to binge-watch this drama like there’s no tomorrow. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
Throw all your preconceived notions of high school television dramas out the window. Netflix’s Hierarchy will fling you into the halls of Jooshin High where the popular kids don’t get their status from high test scores or the ability to do the sickest dance moves.
Nope. In this world, ca$h is queen (or king, we don’t write the checks around here). The top 0.01% of the population live by the motto “money over everything” and use their family’s wealth as a weapon. Peak your interest? Good. This show is a thrill ride you’ll never want to stop.
Hierarchy Review: The Run Down – Money, Power, Secrets (and possibly Revenge)
We’ve all seen the story where the “little guy” takes on the elite establishment but Hierarchy manages to keep that classic plot point fresh. Our main character, Kang Ha (the brilliant No Jeong-ee) is a transfer student with more secrets than a CIA agent.
Rumors about this enigmatic girl smoke like incense, scandals about her spread like a pyramid scheme within Jooshin Inc. (the company that founded the school, co-inky dink? I think not). One thing is for sure, Kang Ha doesn’t subscribe to Jooshin’s brand of crazy.
Her presence disrupts the well-greased gears of Kim Ri-An’s (Kim Jae-Won) dominance. This smug little prince sees Kang Ha as a potential threat to his future inheritance and I have to say, he’s not exactly chill about it.
The plot unfolds like a game of chess, only this version uses Chanel bags and exclusive sneaker collaborations as its rooks and bishops. You’ll bear witness to power grabs that would make Niccolò Machiavelli gasp in horror, alliances forming and dissolving quicker than stocks in the Korean Exchange, and betrayals that will leave you needing a cold shower and a therapist after every episode.
Hierarchy isn’t all designer accessories and crushing the little guy, though. Kang Ha’s entrance into Jooshin High becomes the catalyst for a change.
Students who have spent their entire lives pressing their noses against the glass ceiling begin to see the system for what it is and start demanding a more equal opportunity to, well, everything. It’s a just cause that’ll leave you routing for these kids (and possibly throwing a virtual tomato at Ri-An’s 6 Series).
Likes & Dislikes: What Hierarchy Does Well (and Not So Much)
The Likes:
Timely Social Commentary: Hierarchy doesn’t sugarcoat the detrimental effects of an insane wealth gap. It punches you straight in the gut and lays bare the sense of entitlement, manipulation, and overall disregard for their fellow human beings wealthy kids develop in this type of system. It’ll make you stop and question why these kinds of hierarchies exist in the first place.
An Engrossing Mystery: Kang Ha’s backstory is a puzzle wrapped in a riddle, hints of which are revealed throughout the season. Let’s be real for a second, we all love a good enigma and Hierarchy provides one.
You’ll spend hours trying to piece together the fragments of information, forming your theories, and refreshing forum pages to see what fellow viewers have discovered.
Did she come to Jooshin to exact revenge? Is she more connected to the school’s dark history than anyone realized? The options are limitless and that’s why it’s such a joy to watch.
Stellar Performances: No Jeong-ee owns the role of Kang Ha. Her quiet strength and steely resolve are captivating. Kim Jae-Won starts off as your typical arrogant rich boy, but his portrayal of Ri-An’s internal struggle as his grip on power weakens is nuanced and believable.
Shoutout to the supporting cast too – Park Ji-Hu as the fiercely loyal Yoo Jung-Hyun and Kim Dong-yeon as the conflicted Han Soo-Hyeon bring their characters to life with relatable emotions.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
Pacing that Needs a Tune-Up: The series can be a bit like your internet connection – blazing fast one minute, then buffering the next. Some episodes are packed with action, like the heart-stopping fight scene between Kang Ha and Ri-An’s posse (seriously, that choreography deserves an award). Others drag a bit, bogged down by unnecessary exposition or school drama tropes we’ve seen a million times before.
Predictable Tropes (Sometimes): While the core concept is intriguing, some plot points veer into familiar territory. The “hero vs. villain” dynamic, with Ri-An’s descent into desperation, feels a little overused. The love triangle between Kang Ha, Ri-An, and Jae-Yi (played by Song Ji-woo) treads familiar ground as well.
Missed Character Development: The supporting characters have interesting backstories, but they don’t get fully fleshed out.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Popular TV Shows on Netflix in USA
Hierarchy Review: The Verdict – A Must-Watch (With a Few Caveats)
Alright, so Hierarchy isn’t perfect. There are times when the pacing feels like your internet connection – blazing fast one minute, then buffering the next. Some episodes get bogged down by exposition, and let’s be honest, the whole “love triangle” thing has been done a million times before. But here’s the thing: the good stuff outweighs the not-so-good stuff by a mile.
First of all, the social commentary? BRILLIANT. Hierarchy doesn’t shy away from the ugly side of wealth disparity, and it hits you right in the feels. It’s refreshing to see a show that challenges the status quo and makes you question the very foundations of these kinds of hierarchies.
Plus, the mystery surrounding Kang Ha’s past is pure gold. You’ll be piecing together clues like a detective, concocting theories wilder than a K-pop music video, and refreshing forums to see what other viewers have uncovered.
And let’s not forget the performances! No Jeong-ee owns the role of Kang Ha. Her quiet strength and steely resolve are captivating. The supporting cast shines too, especially Park Ji-Hu as the fiercely loyal Yoo Jung-hyun.
| Series Name: | Hierarchy |
| Starring: | Roh Jeong-eui, Lee Chae-min, Kim Jae-won |
| Creators: | Bae Hyeon-jin, Chu Hye-mi |
| Genres: | Romance |
| Distributor: | Netflix |
So, the final verdict?
Hierarchy is a binge-worthy K-Drama with a whole lot to offer. It’s got mystery, action, social commentary, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. Just be prepared for a cliffhanger that will leave you desperately wanting season 2 (because seriously, Netflix, WHAT happens next?!).
Hello, My name is Arindam Ghosh. By profession, I am a website designer and digital marketer. I also enjoy watching Netflix and other web series and movies. Based on this interest, I created this blog to primarily share the latest information about Netflix. I hope you enjoy this blog and share your valuable thoughts.