Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Class of Lies, which delivers a powerful combination of legal thriller and educational drama that will keep you questioning everything.
Class of Lies aired on OCN from July to September 2019, consisting of 16 episodes with an average duration of 60 minutes each. This Korean drama takes the typical classroom setting and transforms it into a battleground where corruption, power, and justice collide in the most unexpected ways.
Unlike conventional school dramas, Class of Lies dives deep into the dark underbelly of South Korea’s elite education system, exposing how privilege and corruption can destroy lives. The series masterfully blends courtroom drama with psychological thriller elements, creating a narrative that’s both socially relevant and intensely gripping.
Undercover Justice: A Lawyer Becomes a Teacher
The story follows Ki Moo-hyeok, a skilled lawyer who goes undercover as a high school teacher to uncover the truth behind a student’s suspicious death. What appears to be a simple suicide case quickly unravels into a complex web of school violence, corruption, and cover-ups involving powerful families and educational institutions. Class of Lies doesn’t shy away from showing how the pursuit of truth can become a dangerous mission when it threatens established power structures.
Moo-hyeok’s investigation reveals layers of deception within the prestigious school system, where students, teachers, and administrators all harbor dark secrets that could destroy their carefully constructed lives.
Ki Moo-hyeok: The Relentless Truth Seeker
Moo-hyeok is portrayed as a brilliant but morally driven lawyer who refuses to accept easy answers when a student’s death doesn’t add up. His transformation from courtroom advocate to undercover teacher showcases his adaptability and determination. Throughout Class of Lies, his character demonstrates unwavering commitment to justice, even when it puts his own safety at risk.
His ability to connect with troubled students while simultaneously conducting his investigation creates compelling character dynamics that drive the series forward. He becomes both mentor and detective, roles that often conflict but ultimately complement each other.
The Students: Victims and Perpetrators
The classroom becomes a microcosm of larger societal issues, with students representing different aspects of privilege, victimization, and moral complexity. Class of Lies excels in showing how young people can be both perpetrators and victims of systemic corruption.
Each student carries their own burden of secrets, family pressure, and survival instincts that create a powder keg of tension within the classroom. Their relationships with Moo-hyeok evolve from suspicion to trust, creating some of the series’ most emotionally powerful moments.
When Truth Becomes Dangerous: The System Fights Back
The series reaches its peak intensity when Moo-hyeok’s investigation threatens powerful figures who will stop at nothing to protect their interests. Class of Lies masterfully escalates the stakes as the lawyer-turned-teacher finds himself facing not just individual criminals, but an entire corrupt system designed to silence him.
This climactic phase transforms the series from a procedural investigation into a fight for survival, where every revelation brings new dangers and the cost of truth becomes increasingly steep.
Success on OCN
Class of Lies gained critical acclaim on OCN for its bold examination of educational corruption and social inequality in South Korea. The series resonated with audiences who appreciated its unflinching look at how privilege operates within school systems, while critics praised its tight plotting and strong performances. The show’s success highlighted OCN’s commitment to producing socially conscious dramas that tackle real-world issues with both entertainment value and meaningful commentary.
A Gripping Expose Worth Every Intense Moment
If you love legal thrillers with educational corruption themes, Class of Lies is the perfect series to binge on streaming platforms.
Why You Should Experience This Powerful Investigation
Positive Points:
- Compelling blend of legal drama and educational thriller elements
- Outstanding lead performance that anchors the entire series
- Realistic portrayal of corruption within elite educational systems
- Well-developed student characters with authentic teenage struggles
- Satisfying resolution that addresses systemic issues meaningfully
Negative Points:
- Heavy subject matter may be emotionally draining for some viewers
- Complex conspiracy elements can be difficult to follow at times
- Some plot developments feel slightly predictable in later episodes
- Limited romantic subplot may disappoint viewers expecting more
- Dark themes throughout with minimal comedic relief moments
Class of Lies proves that Korean dramas can tackle serious social issues while maintaining compelling storytelling that both entertains and educates viewers about important societal problems.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 16
- Platform: OCN (available on various streaming platforms)
- Release Year: 2019
- Current IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Genre: Legal, Thriller, Drama
- Production Type: K-drama
- Status: Completed series
- Protagonists: Yoon Kyun-sang (Ki Moo-hyeok), Geum Sae-rok (Ha So-hyun)
- Antagonist: Multiple antagonists including corrupt school officials and powerful parents