WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Hierarchy episode 7.

Hierarchy season 2 has not been confirmed, but episode 7’s post-credits scene means the K-drama needs to continue despite its limited series status. The newest Netflix original K-drama followed Kang Ha’s quest for revenge as he infiltrated the Jooshin High School to investigate his brother’s death. Kang Ha slowly exposed all the cruelty, bullying, and violence that was happening at the school, yet he also fell in love with Jae-i in the process. Hierarchy is a revenge K-drama, but the story has the potential to go beyond that now that In-han’s killer, Ji-soon, has been arrested.

While Ji-soon was the one who hit In-han with her car, the toxic system created at the school was also to blame for his death. Hierarchy’s ending gave Kang Ha closure and even redeemed characters like Ri-an and Woo-jin. The scene where Jae-i goes to visit her mother could have been the perfect way to end the show, but there is still one scene left after the credits – an epilogue that changes everything.

Hierarchy Season 2 Looks Inevitable After Episode 7’s Epilogue

A student was murdered… by Kang Ha?

He-ra discovered a body covered in blood in one of the classrooms during Hierarchy episode 7’s post-credits scene, meaning that the story is far from over. It’s unclear whose body was found during Hierarchy’s epilogue, but most of the show’s main characters arrived to see what was happening as soon as they heard He-ra’s screams. Ri-an looked particularly concerned, even more so after he received an anonymous text saying that he “looked scared.” Even though Hierarchy’s finale redeemed a lot of characters, it appears that the crisis at the school is far from over.

Hierarchy’s Main Cast

Characters

Roh Jeong-eui

Jung Jae-i

Lee Chae-min

Kang Ha

Kim Jae-won

Kim Ri-an

Ji Hye-won

Yoon He-ra

Lee Won-jung

Lee Woo-jin

Between the identity of the dead student, the mystery of who murdered them, and the anonymous text Ri-an received, Hierarchy episode 7 included way too many sequel hooks for season 2 not to happen. Hierarchy was described as a limited series, yet it is difficult to believe a second season won’t happen now that it ended on a massive cliffhanger. Hierarchy season 2 hasn’t been confirmed as of the writing of this article, but it would not be the first Netflix web series to be renewed for more seasons – Sweet Home, Gyenseong Creature, and Love Alarm are some examples.

Did Kang Ha Kill That Student? Hierarchy’s Next Murder Mystery Explained

Hierarchy’s epilogue could be a red herring

Hierarchy episode 7’s epilogue makes it seem like Kang Ha killed that student and sent a message to Ri-an, almost as if his revenge is not over yet. Kang Ha smiled at his phone just as Ri-an was about to receive the anonymous message. That said, it could all have been a red herring. It’s difficult to imagine Kang Ha would have any reason to kill a student and threaten Ri-an’s life after everything that happened in the finale. While having Kang Ha as the villain in season 2 would be a fun twist, this would ruin the character entirely.

Kang Ha was after justice for his brother, not just revenge. This is why, in addition to finding his brother’s killer, Kang Ha also wanted to expose all the awful things that were happening at Jooshin High School – starting with how negligent the teachers, the principal, and the board were. Kang Ha changed things from within and made the school a better place, to the point characters like He-ra and Woo-jin seemed to have become better people by the end of this K-drama thriller. Still, if Hierarchy season 2 happens, Kang Wa will likely be one of the suspects.

Hierarchy Season 2 Setup Means It Would Be A Very Different Show

Hierarchy season 1 was about Kang Ha’s revenge

Custom image of Jae-i and Ri-an in Hierarchy

Custom image by Yeider Chacon

Hierarchy could become a very different show if it returns for a second season. Hierarchy season 1 was about Kang Ha facing powerful forces at the school to find out what happened to his brother and bring justice to him, whereas season 2 could be about solving this new murderer. Kang Ha was both a victim and a hero in the first season, yet he could now be one of the suspects in season 2. Another major difference would be Jae-i’s character – she is no longer living the life of an heir.

A collage of images features characters from the K-dramas Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Love and Weather, and Sweet Home

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Although Jae-i reconnected with Ri-an and confirmed their feelings for each other, she believed neither of them was ready for a relationship just yet. Jae-i will now live with her mother and could be a very different person in season 2, even if she eventually comes back to Jooshin. Hierarchy season 2 could potentially revisit the love triangle involving Jae-i, Ri-an, and Kang Ha, this time with the mysterious death of a student as the driving force of the story. The K-drama would likely need new villains as well since most of the characters were on good terms with each other at the end.

Stream on Netflix

Hierarchy (2024)
Drama
Romance

Cast

No Jeong-ee
, Lee Won-jung
, Kim Jae-won
, Lee Chae-Min
, Ji Hye-Won
, Kim Tae-Jung

Release Date

June 7, 2024

Seasons

1

Main Genre

Drama