Director Hong Jong Chan opened up about the controversy surrounding Netflix’s “Teach You a Lesson” and shared why the drama was created to start discussion rather than give one fixed answer.
Even before its release, “Teach You a Lesson” drew attention because it is based on a webtoon that had previously faced controversy overseas over certain expressions.
Some people questioned whether the story should be adapted into a drama, and Kim Nam Gil also became a topic after publicly turning down a casting offer. He had said, “If many people feel uncomfortable, I think it is right not to do that kind of work”.
After the series was released, however, many viewers praised the drama for its fast paced story and its focus on the Teachers’ Rights Protection Bureau, an organization created in the drama to protect South Korea’s education field from students, teachers, and parents who cross the line.
Director Hong explained that the production team worked carefully to remove parts that could cause discomfort. He said, “We only brought the setting from the original and filtered everything else out.” He added that the team went through several stages of review, even during editing, to avoid uncomfortable parts as much as possible.
He also said he was thankful that many viewers understood the main message of the drama, sharing, “I am thankful that people understood the essence of the work.”
When asked about Kim Nam Gil’s refusal, the director said it was simply part of the casting process and added, “We still have a supportive relationship.” He then expressed gratitude to Kim Mu Yeol, who took on the role of Na Hwa Jin and received praise for showing both heavy emotion and strong action.
Director Hong praised Kim Mu Yeol as a versatile actor, saying, “He is good at everything, whether it is emotion, comedy, or action.” He added that they relied on each other a lot during filming.
The director also explained why “Teach You a Lesson” mixes serious school issues with action and comedy. He said, “School is reality,” but when the Teachers’ Rights Protection Bureau steps in, the story becomes more like fantasy. He wanted the drama to be meaningful but still entertaining enough for viewers to keep watching.
He also praised the supporting cast, including Park Ji Yeon, Lee Bong Jun, and Ok Jin Uk, for making each episode feel more realistic. He revealed that around 1,000 people were seen during the casting process.
Some viewers have questioned whether the drama treats heavy topics too lightly or risks making harsh punishment look acceptable. However, Director Hong said the role of a drama is not always to give answers.
He explained, “The role of a drama is to ask questions.” He added, “We wanted to bring up a topic. Since we have brought up that topic, I hope many people will watch the work from different viewpoints and talk about it”.
