Summary
IfHierarchyseason 2 happens, it will have to revisit the high schoolK-drama’s most controversial storyline. One of manyNetflix original K-dramas,Hierarchypremiered as a limited series about a scholarship student’s mission to expose everything that was happening at Jooshin Academy. Despite its status as the country’s top school, Jooshin let bullying systematically happen and rewarded a twisted culture of high-class students being favored over scholarship ones. AlthoughHierarchy’s endingwas self-contained and wrapped up the show, its post-credits scene was a major cliffhanger that set up a sequel.
Hierarchyseason 2 has not been confirmed as of the writing of this article. Plenty of limited series ended up returning for a second season following a strong debut, which is why it would not be surprising ifHierarchy’s story continued. Although Kang Ha completed his revenge, most ofHierarchy’s characterswere on good terms with each other by the end of the show. Still, in addition to the shocking death of a student in the post-credits scene,there is one major storyline left forHierarchyto complete.
Hierarchy Season 2 Would Have To Revisit The K-Drama’s Love Triangle
Both Kang Ha and Ri-an are in love with Jae-i
Hierarchy’s love triangle around Jae-iwas the show’s most important storyline, even more than the mystery of what happened to Kang Ha’s brother. However, by the end of the series, this love triangle had not been sorted out yet. One of the biggest reveals inHierarchyis thatJae-i broke up with Ri-an after she returned from New Yorkbecause she had just had a miscarriage. Jae-i never told Ri-an that she was pregnant and decided to keep it a secret from everyone. Such a burden caused her to distance herself from Ri-an.
Lee Won-jung
Lee Woo-jin
During this time, Jae-i grew closer to Kang Ha, who initially only thought about his revenge but started to have feelings for her.Both Ri-an and Kang Ha were in love with Jae-i, yet she was not ready to enter a relationship. Jae-i worked things out with Ri-an as they shared a sweet moment in theHierarchyfinale during which she told him they should not be together for now. That same day, Kang Ha confessed his feelings for Jae-i, who appreciated his friendship and wished him well. IfHierarchyseason 2 happens, it’s bound to revisit this love triangle.
Why Hierarchy’s Jae-i Love Triangle Was So Controversial
Hierarchy was more a love triangle K-drama than a revenge one
WhileHierarchywas promoted as a revenge K-drama, most of the show centered on the love triangle involving Jae-i, Ri-an, and Kang Ha, the last of which recently arrived at the school and created trouble for a lot of characters. Jae-i blamed herself forwhat happened to Kang Ha’s brother inHierarchy, whereas Kang Ha assumed that Ri-an was behind it. The circumstances of In-han’s death were only part of the reason whyHierarchy’s love triangle was so complicated. Jae-i and Ri-an have been friends since they were six years old, but they broke up in episode 1.
Hierarchyspent too much time with a complicated love triangle instead of its revenge plot.
Ri-an did not understand why Jae-i broke up with him after returning from her trip to the United States, let alone why she was now close to the new student. Jae-i’s relationship with Kang Ha did not have the best of starts, as neither of them was being honest with the other. Kang Ha reminded Jae-i of In-han and caused her to question her and her friends’ actions, yet Kang Ha only got close to her so he could get to Ri-an.Hierarchyspent too much time with a complicated love triangle instead of its revenge plot.
Should Hierarchy Season 2 Happen?
Hierarchy left the door open for a sequel
In theory, there should be no reason for a limited series to return for a second season. However, between the open-ended nature ofHierarchy’s love triangle and the post-credits scene, there are already enough storylines for season 2 to tackle.A new season ofHierarchycould explore Jae-i’s time with her motherand how it changed her. Likewise, the series could show how different Jooshin Academy is now following everything that Kang Ha exposed. Most importantly,Hierarchyseason 2 would explore the series’ major cliffhanger – the dead student and the threat Ri-an received.
Hierarchy’s 5 Main Characters, Ranked Worst To Best
Netflix’s Hierarchy K-drama had a strong set of main characters, from a scholarship student on a quest to avenge his dead brother to Jooshin royalty.
Hierarchy’s post-credits scene makes it seem like Kang Ha is threatening Ri-an, although it could be just a red herring. Regardless, there would surely be a lot of tension between Kang Ha and Ri-an in a potential season 2. Not only does Kang Ha refuse to forgive Ri-an, but Ri-an now has reason to believe that Kang Ha killed a student and is coming for him. It’s unclear whether Jae-i will go back to Jooshin Academy eventually, but her return would make things even more complicated.Hierarchyhad flaws, but season 2 of the NetflixK-dramacould work with the right story.
