On June 5, Netflix held a production presentation for Teach You a Lesson at the Grand Ballroom of the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Director Hong Jong Chan attended the event alongside cast members Kim Mu Yeol, Lee Sung Min, Jin Ki Joo, and P.O (Pyo Ji Hoon).
Based on the hit webtoon of the same name, Teach You a Lesson follows the activities of the Educational Rights Protection Bureau, an organization established to restore order in South Korea’s collapsing education system caused by students, teachers, and parents crossing the line. Director Hong Jong Chan, known for works such as Juvenile Justice and Dear My Friends, helmed the project, while writer Lee Nam Gyu, who penned Daily Dose of Sunshine and The Light in Your Eyes, handled the script.
However, even before its release, Teach You a Lesson became embroiled in controversy due to criticism aimed at the original webtoon for alleged racial and gender discrimination. While immensely popular, the webtoon was also criticized for scenes involving corporal punishment, racial stereotypes toward people of color, and depictions that appeared to mock feminist education by portraying a teacher being slapped as a form of “satisfying justice.” Some critics argued that the work equated feminism with ideological indoctrination, sparking accusations of sexism. As a result, concerns surfaced as soon as plans for a live-action adaptation were announced. International online communities amplified criticism, and Naver Webtoon eventually suspended the title on its North American platform.
Before Kim Mu Yeol ultimately took on the lead role of Na Hwa Jin, actor Kim Nam Gil had reportedly been offered the project twice but declined both times. While casting changes are common during the production process, Teach You a Lesson attracted unusual attention due to the controversy surrounding the original material and Kim Nam Gil’s unusually public comments regarding his decision.
In November 2024, reports surfaced that Kim Nam Gil had received a casting offer for Teach You a Lesson. At the time, his agency stated that the actor was “reviewing the offer,” prompting backlash from fans, who released statements urging him to recognize the problems associated with the original webtoon and expressing strong disappointment.
Kim Nam Gil later addressed the issue on his personal social media account, writing, “At a time when I’m preparing to reunite with viewers as Father Kim Hae Il in The Fiery Priest, I heard many fans are worried because of reports about another project.” He clarified that while his agency had indeed received the offer, he had not even had the time to properly review it due to his packed schedule filming The Fiery Priest.
The actor further elaborated on the matter during the press conference for The Fiery Priest 2. When asked why he publicly addressed the issue, Kim explained, “I didn’t want another negative issue affecting the release of The Fiery Priest 2.” He also revealed that he had already declined Teach You a Lesson once in the past and was fully aware of the controversies tied to the original work.
Still, Kim admitted he had reconsidered the offer after director Hong Jong Chan joined the project, partly due to his personal interest in educational issues. “School violence and student crime aren’t only children’s problems. Adults also bear responsibility. I’ve often thought about what it means to be a good adult, so I was considering other school-related dramas when the proposal came,” he shared.
However, Kim Nam Gil eventually drew a firm line. “We’re constantly revising scripts for The Fiery Priest 2, filming almost like it’s live television,” he explained, before adding, “Honestly, I don’t even have the time to discuss the controversies surrounding the original work. But if viewers feel uncomfortable, I think it’s right not to do projects that make them uncomfortable.”
Following Kim Nam Gil’s decision to step away, the production team turned to Kim Mu Yeol to lead the series. Addressing the issue at the press conference, Kim Mu Yeol candidly acknowledged the public discussion surrounding the casting process.
“Things happen during casting for every project,” Kim said. “The difference here is that more people became aware of what usually happens behind the scenes. Rather than focusing on the controversy itself, I concentrated on asking what kind of project this really was.”
He continued, “I hope viewers judge whether I was able to elevate the role through my performance. Actors ultimately speak through their work, and I hope people can watch the series and evaluate my acting rather than the surrounding noise.”
While the Netflix adaptation has removed some of the original webtoon’s more controversial elements, it retains the central concept of the Educational Rights Protection Bureau delivering cathartic justice in a frustrating educational reality. As Teach You a Lesson reaches audiences in more than 190 countries, many are watching closely to see how global viewers will respond to a project that has already sparked heated debate long before its release.
Sources: Daum
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