How Much Of The Original Manhwa Weak Hero Has Adapted After Class 2 (& What Season 3’s Story Will Be)
Warning! This article contains spoilers for Weak Hero Class 2.
Since Weak Hero is based on a Naver webtoon of the same name, many viewers may be curious about how much of its source material it adapts in its first two seasons. Created by Seopass (author) and Kim Jin-seok (illustrator), the Weak Hero webtoon was first published in 2018. Soon after publication, it grew in the ranks to become incredibly popular, which paved the way for its TV adaptation to happen. Weak Hero Class 1 was received incredibly well because it perfectly captured its source material’s essence while bringing some necessary changes to it.
In its final moments, Weak Hero Class 2 concludes on a satisfying note with a well-rounded coda. However, soon after its credits start rolling, the show leaves viewers with a cliffhanger. The post-credits scene shows how Seong-je is approached by Choi to replace Baek-jin and become the Union leader, but Seong-je declines the offer. It also confirms that Baek-jin is dead, hinting that Choi might have gotten him killed. With so many loose threads in Weak Hero Class 2‘s ending, it is hard not to wonder if the show has enough source material content left for another season.
Weak Hero Class 2 Finishes The Manwha’s Story But Takes Many Creative Liberties
Class 2’s Ending Aligns With The Manhwa’s
Weak Hero seemingly had enough source material content after season 1 to have at least two seasons’ worth of storytelling. Surprisingly, however, the Netflix Korean show rushes through the manhwa’s story in season 2 and reaches the original webtoon’s end in its final moments. Since the show’s ending aligns with the manhwa’s conclusion, it would be fair to say that Weak Hero almost entirely exhausts its source material. However, it must be noted that while rushing through the webtoon in season 2, the show ends up skipping many major chapters.
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Weak Hero Class 1 Recap: 10 Things You Need To Remember Before Class 2
Weak Hero Class 2 will be premiering on Netflix soon– here’s everything you need to remember from Class 1 before watching Weak Hero Class 2.
Given how the series cannot suddenly rewind and cover the missing story arcs in another season, it seems unlikely that it will attempt to follow the source material if it returns in the future. Many manhwa readers have complained about Weak Hero Class 2‘s pace because they expected it to accurately adapt the source material after season 1 set a strong precedent for faithful storytelling. While it is understandable where they are coming from, Weak Hero Class 2 is still a satisfying addition to the series. Interestingly, the second season also seems to set the stage for another installment.
Despite Exhausting The Manhwa, Weak Hero Class 2 Sets Up Another Season
Many Plot Threads Remain Unresolved After Season 2
Even though Weak Hero Class 2‘s ending is in tandem with the original manhwa’s, it intentionally seems to set the stage for Weak Hero Class 3. Before ending its run, the second installment features a post-credits scene that reveals that Baek-jin is dead. While it is implied that the gangster leader Choi might have gotten him killed, the truth behind his fate remains shrouded. Weak Hero Class 2 also seems to subtly set Seong-je as its next potential villain by showing how he declines Choi’s offer to lead the Union as Baek-jin’s replacement.
Weak Hero Class 2 also features a Beom-seok cameo that does not reveal the season 1 character’s fate but hints that he might be dead. This, too, could be another plot line Weak Hero Class 3 could explore. With Su-ho’s return in Weak Hero Class 2‘s ending, the series could potentially expand its story beyond the manga and walk through another original arc that deals with everything from Su-ho’s recovery to his return to action, from the Union’s downfall after Baek-jin’s demise to Seong-je’s hidden villain plan.
What Weak Hero Class 3 Would Look Like Without The Manhwa
Expanding Beyond The Manhwa Could Be Risky For The Series
Interestingly, if Weak Hero is renewed for another season, it would not be the first graphic novel adaptation to extend beyond its source. Alice in Borderland is also a manga adaptation that has been renewed by Netflix for season 3, even though its second installment finishes the source material’s content. Stretching beyond the webtoon might be a risky endeavor for the series because many manhwa readers would not appreciate the addition of more story beats to the original lore.
With the overpowered Su-ho and Baku now on the same team, Weak Hero Class 3 would also have some compelling action sequences…
With original story extensions, the show could also risk diminishing the impact of the existing arcs. However, at the same time, a new season could further explore Si-eun’s journey towards relieving himself from his guilt and learning to overcome his past trauma with his newfound friendships. With the overpowered Su-ho and Baku now on the same team, Weak Hero Class 3 would also have some compelling action sequences that could finally end the series on a high note and leave both manhwa readers and non-readers satisfied.
