On January 21, Netflix held its Next on Netflix 2026 Korea showcase at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. The event was attended by Kang Dong-han, Netflix Korea’s Vice President of Content, along with senior directors Bae Jong-byung (Series), Kim Tae-won (Film), and Yoo Ki-hwan (Variety). High-profile guests including Jeon Do-yeon, Son Ye-jin, Park Eun-bin, Nam Joo-hyuk, and chef Ahn Sung-jae were also present.

During the event, Bae Jong-byung addressed questions regarding Teach You a Lesson , carefully acknowledging the controversy surrounding the project. He stated, “This is a story we felt was necessary for this era, which is why we developed it with a strong sense of responsibility.” He continued, “We are fully aware of the criticism and concerns related to certain episodes in the original work. Taking those into account, we worked to approach the series with a more refined and balanced perspective. Viewers will be able to see that once it is released.”

Teach You a Lesson is based on a webtoon of the same name and follows the story of a newly established bureau dedicated to protecting teachers’ authority amid escalating conflicts involving students, parents, and educators in South Korea. The drama stars Kim Mu-yeol, Lee Sung-min, Jin Ki-joo, and P.O.

However, the original webtoon became the subject of intense backlash over allegations of racism and sexism, leading to its removal from several North American platforms. Actor Kim Nam-gil, who was previously rumored to be in talks for the project, publicly declined participation after citing concerns about the source material. In addition, education-related organizations, including the Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union, released statements calling for the production to be halted.

Despite the controversy, Teach You a Lesson proceeded with filming after finalizing its cast and production lineup. Netflix confirmed that the series is scheduled for release in the second quarter of this year and will be made available to audiences worldwide.

Sources: Daum