5 Controversial Reasons Fans Believe Weak Hero Class 1 Is Secretly A BL Series

The question of whether Weak Hero Class 1 is a Boys' Love (BL) series has become one of the most intense and recurring debates in K-drama and webtoon communities, even as of December 2025. This curiosity stems from the deeply emotional, almost romantic, intensity of the relationships at the core of the story, particularly between the main characters, Yeon Si-eun and Ahn Su-ho. While the official classification is clear, the subtext is what continues to fuel endless fan theories and discussions across social media.

Despite being officially categorized as an Action, Youth, and Drama series focused on school violence and bullying, the K-drama adaptation and the original webtoon, Weak Hero, have captured the attention of the BL audience worldwide. We will dive into the official genre, the creators' statements, and the specific character dynamics that make this series a lightning rod for "closeted BL" speculation.

The Creators of Weak Hero: Seopass and Razen (Kim Jin-seok)

The original source material for the hit K-drama, the Weak Hero webtoon, was created by a duo who have cemented their place in the action manhwa genre. The intense emotional depth that sparks the BL debate is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

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• Seopass (Author/Story): Seopass is the writer responsible for the intricate plot, the high-stakes action, and the complex character psychology that defines the series. The narrative focuses heavily on the theme of inner strength, revenge, and the fragility of human connection in a brutal school environment. Seopass’s storytelling is often praised for its ability to convey deep emotional bonds without relying on traditional romance tropes.
• Razen (Illustrator/Art): Razen, also sometimes credited as Kim Jin-seok, is the artist who brought the world of Weak Hero to life. Razen’s art style is known for its clean lines, dynamic action sequences, and, crucially, the highly expressive facial work that captures the intense emotions between characters like Yeon Si-eun (known as Gray Yeon in the webtoon) and Ahn Su-ho.
• Webtoon Origin: The Weak Hero webtoon was originally published on Naver Webtoon starting in 2018 and quickly gained massive popularity for its unique protagonist, Gray Yeon, a physically weak but intellectually brilliant student who fights back against school bullies using strategy and unconventional tactics.
• Official Genre: The webtoon’s official genre is consistently listed as Action, School Action, Drama, and Thriller. It has never been officially tagged or marketed as Boys' Love (BL) or Shounen-ai.

The Official Verdict: Why Weak Hero Is Not BL

To address the core question directly, the K-drama Weak Hero Class 1 and the original Weak Hero webtoon are definitively not a Boys' Love series by official classification. This is the official, non-negotiable stance from the production studios and major streaming platforms like Wavve and Netflix (for the sequel, Weak Hero Class 2).

The series is classified under the "Action, Youth, Drama" genre, with a heavy emphasis on "Bromance" and "Friendship" as key tags. The central narrative revolves around themes of school violence, social hierarchy, and the fight for justice, not romantic relationships. The emotional intensity is intentional, designed to showcase the profound and life-altering nature of true friendship when facing extreme adversity.

The term "bromance" is often used in South Korean media to describe an exceptionally close, non-sexual, and emotionally deep bond between two male characters. In Weak Hero Class 1, the relationship between the brilliant but frail Yeon Si-eun and the formidable fighter Ahn Su-ho is the textbook definition of this powerful, platonic connection. Su-ho acts as Si-eun’s protector and first true friend, while Si-eun sees Su-ho as his anchor in a chaotic world.

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5 Controversial Reasons Fueling the BL Speculation

Despite the official genre, the fan community’s belief that Weak Hero is a "closeted BL" or "gay allegory" persists. This intense speculation is not baseless; it is rooted in specific narrative and cinematic choices that resonate strongly with the Boys' Love genre's common tropes and visual language.

1. The "First Love" Creator Statement

One of the most cited pieces of evidence comes from an alleged statement by the drama’s production team or director. Various fan translations and discussions suggest that the creators referred to Ahn Su-ho as Yeon Si-eun's "first love." While this was likely meant in a platonic sense—Su-ho being Si-eun's first experience with genuine, selfless friendship—the use of the phrase "first love" (a deeply romantic term in Korean culture) was immediately seized upon by the BL community. To many, this was a subtle, unconfirmed nod to the subtext, suggesting the relationship transcends mere friendship.

2. The Intensity of the Climax and Separation

The emotional climax of Weak Hero Class 1, which involves Su-ho’s tragic fate and Si-eun’s subsequent breakdown, is framed with an intensity typically reserved for romantic tragedies. Si-eun’s rage, grief, and self-destructive behavior after losing Su-ho feel less like the loss of a friend and more like the loss of a soulmate. The visual language—the close-ups on their tearful faces, the shared moments of vulnerability, and the devastating sense of betrayal—mirrors the high-stakes emotional drama found in many classic BL narratives.

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3. The "Found Family" and Protection Trope

The dynamic where one character is the physically dominant "protector" and the other is the smaller, intellectually powerful "ward" is a common trope in both BL and action series. In Weak Hero, Si-eun’s entire world is built around Su-ho’s presence. The sheer devotion that Su-ho shows in defending Si-eun, often risking his own well-being, is perceived by many fans as a form of romantic sacrifice. This "found family" dynamic, where the two characters only truly belong with each other, strongly appeals to the BL sensibility.

4. The Lack of Competing Romantic Interests

A significant factor is the near-total absence of female romantic interests. The narrative focuses exclusively on the bonds between the male characters (Si-eun, Su-ho, Oh Beom-seok, and later in the webtoon, Donald Na and Ben Park). In genres like Youth or Action, a lack of female characters often opens the door for intense male-male bonds to dominate the emotional landscape. For many viewers, the lack of traditional heterosexual romance makes the intense "bromance" the de facto central love story, allowing them to project a romantic interpretation onto the existing chemistry.

5. The Webtoon’s Focus on Gray Yeon and Donald Na

For readers of the original Weak Hero webtoon, the speculation extends beyond Si-eun and Su-ho to the protagonist, Gray Yeon (Si-eun), and the powerful leader, Donald Na. The relationship between Gray and Donald Na is a complex mix of rivalry, mutual respect, and intense obsession that drives a large portion of the latter half of the story. This type of high-tension, character-driven rivalry with deep emotional stakes is another narrative element frequently found in the BL genre, leading fans to view the entire series as being structured around profound male-male relationships, whether they are loving or adversarial.

Weak Hero Class 2 and the Future of the Debate

The announcement and subsequent production of Weak Hero Class 2, set to be released on Netflix, only intensifies the debate. The sequel will likely focus on Si-eun's transfer to a new school and his continued journey of revenge and self-discovery. This new chapter is expected to delve deeper into the consequences of the events of the first season, further exploring Si-eun’s deep-seated trauma and his inability to move past the loss of his friend, Ahn Su-ho.

While the new season will introduce new characters and conflicts, the shadow of Si-eun and Su-ho’s relationship will undoubtedly loom large. The creators have a choice: either provide a clear, platonic closure to the relationship or continue to lean into the emotional ambiguity that has made the series so compelling and controversial. Given the massive success of the first season, it is highly probable that the intense "bromance" will remain a core, though officially non-romantic, pillar of the narrative structure, satisfying the craving for deep character bonds while maintaining the official Action/Youth genre classification.

Ultimately, Weak Hero is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, regardless of how its central relationship is defined. It is a story about the desperate need for connection and the devastating consequences of loneliness. Whether you view the bond between Yeon Si-eun and Ahn Su-ho as a powerful platonic bromance or a heartbreaking, unconfirmed BL romance, its impact on the audience is undeniable.