Netflix’s Hierarchy wants to be a sharp, satirical look at the wealthy elite who run South Korea’s schools. It mostly succeeds, though its execution stumbles enough to keep it from greatness.
The premise is simple and effective. Jooshin High School is a private institution for the country’s wealthiest families. Students are selected from birth, and the school prides itself on providing the best high-quality education service in South Korea. Its students make up the top 0.01% of society, and they rule the school with absolute power. Then a secretive transfer student arrives and starts chipping away at their carefully maintained world.
Trailer, via Netflix K-Content.
Jooshin High School
Jooshin High School is a private institution for the country’s wealthiest families. Students are selected from birth, and the school prides itself on providing the best high-quality education service in South Korea. Roh Jeong-eui plays Jung Jae-i, the transfer student whose arrival sets everything in motion. Lee Chae-min plays Kang Ha, Kim Jae-won plays Kim Ri-an, and Chi Hae-won plays Yoon He-ra. The ensemble cast is large, with Lee Won-jeong, Kwon Eun-bin, Choi Won-young, Bae Hae-sun, Yoon Se-a, Kim Tae-jeong, Chae Seo-an, and Lee Seung-joon rounding out the group.
The Secretive Arrival
Jung Jae-i’s presence disrupts the school’s order. He is secretive, which sets him apart from the rest of the student body. The show sets up the conflict between Jae-i and the established students, driving the narrative forward.
Love, Friendship, Revenge, Compassion
The synopsis promises love, friendship, revenge, and compassion, and the show touches on all four themes. The relationships between the students are complex, with romantic bonds forming alongside jealousy and betrayal. The show balances the drama with lighter moments, but the tone can shift abruptly from comedic to serious, which sometimes breaks the flow.
The Writing Problems
The script is not without its weaknesses. Some of the dialogue feels forced, and the pacing drags in the middle episodes. The show tries to juggle multiple storylines across its seven episodes, and occasionally the threads get tangled. The show also leans heavily on melodrama, which can feel overwrought at times.
The Ensemble Cast
The cast is uniformly strong. Roh Jeong-eui brings a quiet intensity to Jae-i that grounds the show. Lee Chae-min and Kim Jae-won anchor the established students with charisma and menace. The supporting cast, including Chi Hae-won and Lee Won-jeong, deliver solid performances across the board.
The Seven Episodes
The show runs seven episodes. Each episode builds toward the confrontation that defines the final stretch.
| Episode | Number |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 6 | 6 |
| 7 | 7 |
The Bottom Line
Hierarchy is a flawed but compelling watch. It takes on a subject few shows dare touch — the entrenched wealth that shapes South Korean life — and it does so with ambition. The show’s strengths lie in its premise and its performances, while its weaknesses come from a script that sometimes loses focus.
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