Itaewon Class follows Park Saeroyi, a young man whose life is shattered after his father is killed in a hit-and-run caused by the son of a powerful food conglomerate. Seeking justice, Saeroyi is imprisoned for his retaliation and later dedicates his life to revenge by opening a bar-restaurant in the bustling district of Itaewon, with the goal of growing it into a franchise that will destroy the conglomerate. The story is a gritty underdog drama about perseverance, friendship, and found family, as Saeroyi and a group of misfit employees face overwhelming corporate corruption, class prejudice, and personal tragedy. Readers enjoy the show for its intense emotional payoff, complex characters like the fiercely loyal and gender-nonconforming chef Hyun Yi and the ambitious manager Jo Yi Seo, and the themes of second chances, standing up against injustice, and building success from nothing.