Netflix’s Elite Replacement Is 2024’s Most Exciting High School K-Drama

Summary With Elite ending in 2024, Netflix's new show Hierarchy is set to be the perfect replacement, focusing on wealthy high school students.

Hierarchy, a South Korean drama, shares dark tones with Elite, exploring mature themes like class differences and violence among teenagers.

Expect Hierarchy to be graphic, intense, and dramatic, diving deep into issues such as the wealth gap, making it a strong contender for Elite's spot.

Among Netflix's cache of popular streaming hits, the Spanish teen drama, Elite, is a favorite and has run for seven seasons so far, with an eighth and final season coming in 2024, which means that, unsurprisingly, Netflix has a similar show, a k-drama called Hierarchy, set to replace it. Since 2018, Elite has told the story of a group of working-class students who attend an elite fictional high school in Spain called Las Encinas. The series follows their social and romantic relationships, along with controversial issues such as homosexuality, drug abuse, parental neglect, and more.

Now that Netflix's successful Elite is officially coming to an end in 2024, it is time for Netflix to release a new show that is just like Elite, but in a different package. Audiences need another teen drama that focuses on big issues, while also providing the interpersonal drama that is classic of a show about young adults. Ultimately, that is where Hierarchy comes in. Hierarchy is a k-drama set to premiere on Netflix in June 2024. Based on the teaser trailer, this show will be the perfect follow-up to Elite's final season.

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Netflix’s Hierarchy K-Drama Looks Like The Perfect Elite Replacement

Hierarchy & Elite have a similar premise

It is perfect timing that Hierarchy is set to premiere in the same year that Elite is ending, because the school k-drama is going to be the ideal replacement for the Spanish drama. Hierarchy tells the story of Kang Ha, a transfer student who begins attending the prestigious Joosin High School, wherein the children of the wealthiest people in the world attend. Clearly, Hierarchy and Elite share very similar premises. While Elite follows a series of working-class teens, Hierarchy is focused on just one: Kang Ha. However, the surroundings are the same: an elite school full of wealthy students.

It's not just Hierarchy's similarities to Elite that make it a good fit either. Hierarchy's cast and crew ensure it will be a show of high quality. Hierarchy was made by Studio Dragon, which has made some of the most popular k-dramas such as Vincenzo and Crash Landing On You. Furthermore, the actors starring in Hierarchy have impressive resumes. Lee Chae-min, who plays Kang Ha, has previously starred in See You in My 19th Life, Love All Play, and Alchemy of Souls season 2. Other cast members include Roh Jeong-eui, Kim Jae-won, Ji Hye-won, and Lee Won-jung.

Hierarchy is directed by Bae Hyun-jin, who previously directed Alchemy of Souls.

How Netflix’s New High School K-Drama Compares To Elite

Hierarchy & Elite share dark tones

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At this stage, it is hard to tell just how much Hierarchy will be like Elite, but already, the trailer says a lot. It seems as though Hierarchy, along with having a very similar setting and premise, will have the same dark tone as Elite. Despite being a series about high school students, both Hierarchy and Elite include mature romantic relationships and also violence verging on crime. While death and kidnapping have occurred throughout Elite, it seems as though Hierarchy may fall into similar storylines.

Furthermore, there is definitely a focus on class differences and perfectionism among teenagers.

So far, the main difference that appears between Hierarchy and Elite is their countries of origin. While Elite is a Spanish series, Hierarchy was made in South Korea. Ultimately, this could make quite a difference in how the series come across to audiences. Although they may include similar subject matter, the way in which certain storylines or performances are executed may feel different. In this way, the ambiance of Hierarchy could differ greatly from Elite. This would likely be a good thing though, as the shows would struggle if they felt too similar to each other.

What To Expect From Netflix’s Hierarchy

Hierarchy will be dramatic and dark

Based on the trailer, there are quite a few things to expect from Netflix's Hierarchy. First and foremost, this is going to be a somewhat graphic and intense series. It is obvious that there is going to be violence between characters, forms of bullying, and also intimate relationships. There are even signs that crimes could take place based on the dark, grimy ambiance of certain scenes. Finally, due to the premise, Hierarchy will likely dive deep into issues such as class differences and the wealth gap. In this way, it is sure to be a gritty and serious drama.

Ultimately, Hierarchy will be a strong contender to replace Elite when it finally debuts its eighth season in 2024. Although Elite season 8 has no release date yet, Hierarchy is set to premiere on June 7, 2024. In this way, audiences have time to try out Hierarchy before Elite concludes for good sometime this year. Hopefully, the transition from one show to the other will be smooth and seamless.