Weak Hero Class 2 Episode 2: Baku's Explosive Red-Haired Entrance Steals the Show
Episode 2 Recap: Confrontations and New Alliances
Episode 2 of Weak Hero Class 2 picks up directly where the premiere left off, with Yeon Si-eun confronting Choi Hyo-man after the brutal beating of Seo Jun-tae. The episode opens with a tense standoff in the classroom where Si-eun's simple command to Hyo-man, "You're being too loud," carries an unmistakable threat. This confrontation establishes the episode's central conflict as Hyo-man's wounded ego leads him to plot revenge against both Si-eun and anyone who dares to associate with him.
When Hyo-man attempts to maintain dominance by throwing a punch at Si-eun, the latter dodges with calculated precision, showcasing his strategic approach to conflict. Si-eun uses physics principles to anticipate and counter attacks, contrasting with Hyo-man's reliance on brute force. The classroom erupts in shocked reactions when Si-eun manages to land a counter punch, marking this as a pivotal moment when Hyo-man's authority is publicly challenged.
The situation escalates when Go Hyun-tak appears and intimidates Hyo-man with a wheel kick that sends his shoes whistling just past Hyo-man's nose as a clear warning. Terrified, Hyo-man retreats, but it's obvious he won't let this humiliation go. Meanwhile, Si-eun begins to bond with Jun-tae, who impresses him by returning the stolen phones, even if Jun-tae seems to have completely misinterpreted Newton's Third Law.
The Revenge Plot: Manipulation and Deception
Humiliated by his confrontation with Si-eun, Hyo-man devises a scheme to pit Si-eun against Hyun-tak. His plan is surprisingly simple yet effective: he trashes Hyun-tak's basketball clubhouse and locks Jun-tae inside so that Si-eun will rescue him, thereby incriminating Si-eun in the vandalism. Through strategically planted rumors, Hyo-man convinces Hyun-tak that Si-eun wants to fight him, intending to jump in with his gang when both are exhausted from fighting each other.
The plan nearly succeeds. Hyun-tak confronts Si-eun and goads him about Su-ho, a sensitive topic that triggers Si-eun's trauma. This provocation leads Si-eun to attack Hyun-tak with a pen, resulting in an evenly matched fight until Hyo-man arrives with his gang and a baseball bat. As they gain the upper hand against both Si-eun and Hyun-tak, the situation looks dire for our protagonists.
What makes this sequence particularly compelling is how it showcases the psychological warfare that underlies the physical confrontations. Hyo-man's manipulation reveals his cunning nature, while Si-eun's reaction to the mention of Su-ho demonstrates how deeply his past trauma continues to affect him. The episode effectively builds tension through these character dynamics, making the physical confrontation feel like a natural culmination of the psychological battles being waged.
Baku's Grand Entrance: A Game-Changing Moment
Just when all seems lost for Si-eun and Hyun-tak, the episode delivers its most memorable moment: the introduction of Baku, played by Ryeoun. His entrance is nothing short of spectacular. With slicked-back red hair, Baku walks in while casually bouncing a basketball, with the iconic opening song of the Slam Dunk anime series playing from his phone. The music, his confident stride, and the dramatic shift in atmosphere signal that a major player has entered the scene.
In a moment that perfectly balances action with humor, Baku charges forward and delivers a dramatic basketball dunk straight onto Hyo-man's head, knocking him unconscious. This single action immediately establishes Baku's dominance and changes the power dynamics of the entire situation. The theatrical mix of humor, anime tribute, and charismatic entry instantly makes Baku a standout character.
What's particularly interesting about Baku's character is the mythology established around him in this episode. He's depicted as a kind of peacekeeper who had protected students and kept bullies in line, both in the school and the local area. We even see graffiti on a wall with a message from him telling students to stop fighting. Hyo-man had stepped up in Baku's absence due to suspension, but it's immediately clear that Baku is the true authority figure at Eunjang High School.
Visual Storytelling and Direction
Episode 2 showcases the series' commitment to visual storytelling. The direction effectively uses lighting, camera angles, and composition to enhance the narrative. During the confrontation scenes, tight close-ups capture the intensity in the characters' eyes, while wider shots establish the power dynamics between them. The basketball clubhouse vandalism is shown through Si-eun's perspective, with the camera panning across the destruction to emphasize the extent of Hyo-man's vindictiveness.
Particularly noteworthy is the visual presentation of Baku's entrance. The scene employs slow-motion, dramatic lighting, and a distinct color palette that makes his red hair stand out even more prominently. The basketball dunk is filmed from multiple angles to maximize its impact, creating an unforgettable visual moment that viewers are likely to remember long after watching the episode.
The episode also continues the series' distinctive use of on-screen text and graphics to illustrate Si-eun's analytical thinking process during confrontations. When Si-eun faces Hyun-tak, we see his mental calculations as he assesses his opponent and environment, reinforcing his character as someone who uses intelligence rather than just physical strength in conflicts.
Viewer Reactions: Baku Steals the Show
Since its release on April 25, 2025, Episode 2 of Weak Hero Class 2 has generated significant buzz online, with Baku's entrance becoming one of the most discussed moments of the series. On social media platforms, the hashtag #WeakHeroClass2 trended globally, with fans particularly praising Ryeoun's portrayal of Baku and the creative way his character was introduced.
Many viewers have drawn parallels between Baku and Ahn Su-ho from season 1, noting similar character traits. As one fan posted on social media: "Baku can never replace Suho but we can't deny he has the same vibes as Suho, the same tough & caring guy vibe, no wonder Sieun saw him as Suho here because he was missing Suho." This connection is particularly poignant given that Choi Hyun-wook, who portrayed Ahn Su-ho in season 1, also played young Yi-chan, father of Ha Eun-gyeol (played by Ryeoun) in the 2023 drama Twinkling Watermelon, creating an interesting meta-connection between the characters.
Baku's red hair has also sparked numerous humorous reactions, with fans quoting Go-tak's line: "is that hot sauce in your hair." One viewer commented: "The way they introduce the main cast this season is fantastic! Baku's entrance is so cool! But that hair color has me losing it." The casting choice has been widely praised, with comments like "The casting choice for baku is perfect Ryeoun is HIM" and "Ryeoun as Park Humin / Baku on #WeakHeroClass2 ;; serving face and acting chops one moment you'll laugh at his antics the next moment you'll cry along with him... his acting never fails to amaze me each time OUR PERFECT BAKU."
Critical Reception: Strengths and Concerns
While Episode 2 has been generally well-received, some critics have expressed concerns about the direction of the series. According to a review on Nate News titled "'Weak Hero 2' Got Weird After Going to Netflix," there are worries that the series is focusing too much on increasing the scale of action at the expense of the nuanced character development that made season 1 special. The review states: "'Weak Hero 2' seems to have focused on expanding the action scale to the extent that it has lost the virtues of season 1. Although it may look better due to Netflix's collaboration, the content feels lacking compared to its glossy packaging."
However, other critics have praised the episode for its character dynamics and the way it sets up future conflicts. The introduction of Baku as a complex character with his own history and motivations adds depth to the narrative, and the episode effectively establishes the various factions and power struggles within Eunjang High School. The performances, particularly from Park Ji-hoon as Si-eun and Ryeoun as Baku, have received widespread acclaim for their emotional range and authenticity.
Some viewers have also noted that Si-eun's fighting style seems to have changed from season 1, with less emphasis on his strategic use of everyday objects and physics principles. In season 1, scenes would often show Si-eun scanning his environment and applying concepts like Newton's Second Law, clearly establishing him as a character who fights with his brain. While Episode 2 still shows elements of this, some fans feel that the distinctive "brain action" style has been somewhat diluted.
What's Next: Setting Up Future Conflicts
Episode 2 concludes with several narrative threads that promise to drive the season forward. The mystery of Si-eun's past and whether he truly put someone in a coma remains unresolved. Jun-tae's journey from victim to someone with agency has begun but faces new challenges. The power dynamics at Eunjang have been disrupted with Hyo-man's authority challenged and Baku's return.
The episode also hints at deeper conflicts to come, particularly involving the character of Geum Seong-je (played by Lee Jun-young), who was briefly introduced in Episode 1. Based on the trajectory established in Episode 2, it seems likely that the alliance between Si-eun, Hyun-tak, Jun-tae, and potentially Baku will be tested as they face more formidable opponents.
According to information from YouTube analysis videos, the series appears to be building toward a larger confrontation involving the Union gang structure, with Na Baek-jin as a significant antagonist. There are also indications that the story will explore themes of reconciliation and healing, particularly for Si-eun as he continues to process his trauma over Su-ho's condition.
Episode 2 of Weak Hero Class 2 masterfully builds upon the foundation laid in the premiere, deepening characters through conflict while introducing new mysteries that will keep viewers engaged. Through its nuanced portrayal of school violence, complex character motivations, and unexpected alliances, the show transcends the typical high school drama to deliver a compelling narrative about power, redemption, and the consequences of one's actions.