As Netflix series Teach You a Lesson continues to gain global popularity even ranking No. 1 in the non-English TV category attention is turning to remarks made by Gyeonggi Province Superintendent-elect Ahn Min Seok, who revealed plans to establish a real-life “Gyeonggi-style Educational Rights Protection Bureau.”
The drama Teach You a Lesson centers on a fictional special organization under the Ministry of Education called the Educational Rights Protection Bureau. In schools where teacher authority has collapsed, investigators are dispatched to confront delinquent students and abusive parents using unconventional and often forceful methods to restore order. U.S. business magazine Forbes even praised the series as “one of the best dramas of the year and highly addictive.”
Speaking on June 15 at the launch ceremony of the 6th Gyeonggi Provincial Superintendent Transition Committee held at the Gyeonggi Arts Center in Suwon, Ahn stressed the urgent need to restore teacher authority.
“No matter how strongly the president pushes education reform, meaningful education cannot happen without restoring teacher authority,” Ahn said. “First is teacher authority, second is teacher authority, and third is teacher authority.”
He then proposed a discussion about creating an Educational Rights Protection Bureau, adding that he had been surprised to discover how many teachers have backgrounds in elite military units.
“I had no idea there were so many teachers who previously served in special forces or the Marine Corps,” he said. “Lawyers and even prosecutors with special forces or Marine backgrounds have contacted me.” Ahn emphasized that his goal would be to create a version of ‘Teach You a Lesson Season 2’ in reality — one that protects teachers without relying on violence while still effectively safeguarding educational authority in schools.
Previously, the Democracy Research Institute, a think tank affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea, also proposed establishing an Education Activity Protection Bureau within the Ministry of Education. However, unlike the drama’s punitive special force, the suggested institution would focus on protective procedures, conflict mediation, and shared responsibility.
The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations also weighed in, stating, “The reality of schools is even more devastating than what is shown in the drama.” The organization expressed sympathy with the series for candidly exposing the despair teachers face and the darker realities of modern education.
In reality, teachers in South Korea increasingly face lawsuits for child abuse over legitimate discipline and classroom guidance. There have also been tragic cases involving students assaulting teachers during class, as well as educators making extreme decisions due to malicious complaints and threats from parents.
As concerns over the collapse of classroom authority continue to grow, many are now wondering whether the Educational Rights Protection Bureau portrayed in Teach You a Lesson could eventually become reality.
Sources: Nate
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