Netflix’s upcoming live-action adaptation of the controversial webtoon Get Schooled has sparked renewed criticism, with viewers raising concerns over its depiction of feminism even before the series has aired.
Following reports that Netflix is producing a drama version of Get Schooled, online discussions quickly resurfaced around one of the webtoon’s most heavily criticized story arcs. The controversy centers on a self-identified feminist teacher character who is portrayed as abusing her authority and is ultimately subjected to violent “discipline” by a male protagonist.
While supporters of the original work have argued that the character represents an extreme and abusive individual rather than feminism itself, critics counter that the narrative strongly links her misconduct to her feminist identity. As a result, many fear that adapting the storyline into a mainstream Netflix drama distributed globally could reinforce harmful stereotypes that portray feminists as radical, abusive, or hypocritical.
Korean netizens have emphasized that feminism, in reality, encompasses a broad spectrum of movements advocating for gender equality and human rights. They worry that international viewers unfamiliar with Korea’s social context may interpret the fictional portrayal as representative of feminism as a whole.
Online reactions have been sharply divided, with some commenters expressing disbelief that the project is moving forward despite past backlash, while others criticized the creative decision and questioned the responsibility of those involved in the production.
- At first I was like, “are they crazy,” but now I don’t think it’s all bad to let foreigners know at once what Korea’s level is like LOL.
- I thought they folded it after the controversy previously… Seems like they’re really doing it.
- As expected of the incel-nation.
- The actors who agreed to this are so…
- This ain’t it…
The controversy has also reignited broader debates about accountability in adaptations. Critics argue that while the webtoon has long been polarizing due to its endorsement of violence framed as “education,” a live-action drama carries greater social responsibility particularly when addressing sensitive topics such as feminism.
As of now, Netflix has not released an official statement clarifying how closely the drama will follow the original webtoon’s storyline or whether changes will be made to address public concerns. With anticipation building ahead of its release, scrutiny continues to intensify, as audiences watch closely to see whether the adaptation will confront these criticisms or further inflame an already heated debate.
Sources: Theqoo
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