Netflix held a production presentation for its upcoming series, Teach You a Lesson, on the morning of June 5th at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel. Director Hong Jong Chan and cast members Kim Moo Yul, Lee Sung Min, Jin Ki Joo and P.O attended the event.
The series follows a fictional Teacher’s Rights Protection Division, an organization created to address extreme conflicts among students, parents and teachers in a struggling education system.
Based on a popular Naver webtoon, Teach You a Lesson faced controversy even before its release due to explicit content and criticism over depictions that some viewers called out as sexist or racist. The backlash was strong enough that the series was previously suspended on some North American platforms.
Despite this, the production team said they revised much of the original material. Director Hong Jong Chan explained that while the series draws from the webtoon, it has been significantly reworked. “We understood the concerns about the original, and we made a lot of effort to approach the story in a more refined way,” he said.
He added that the show aims to feel more realistic than sensational, focusing on empathy rather than exaggeration. “We wanted it to feel closer to real-life situations rather than something overly dramatized,” he said.
Hong also noted that the issues in the education system remain relevant across generations. “From my school days to my child’s current experience, many of the same problems still exist,” he said, adding that he hopes the series encourages reflection among students, parents, and teachers.
Kim Moo Yul said he joined the project because it presents difficult topics in an accessible way. “It tells heavy stories in a way that is not too difficult, and sometimes even humorous and emotional,” he said. He also described the series as a “complete package” that blends multiple genres.
He plays Na Hwa Jin, a character with a dark past whose deeper layers are revealed as the story unfolds.
When asked about replacing actor Kim Nam Gil, who was originally cast in the role, Kim Moo Yul said, “These things happen during production. I was drawn to the message of the project, and I felt it would be more powerful to express it through acting.”
This is not the first time Kim Moo Yul and Lee Sung Min have worked with director Hong Jong Chan. This marks their reunion since the much-acclaimed 2022 Netflix series, Juvenile Justice.
Kim Moo Yul said he trusted the director because of their previous collaboration. “We handled difficult and sensitive topics in Juvenile Justice, and I remember how carefully we approached them. I felt confident working with him again. This new project was very satisfying and delivered a meaningful message,” he explained.
Lee Sung Min also expressed his trust. “I was confident this project would receive the same love as Juvenile Justice. I enjoyed seeing how Moo Yul transforms in every role, and I was happy to see a new side of him in this series,” he said.
P.O added that he was a fan of Hong’s Juvenile Justice. “I wanted to work with this team, and the script was too good to pass up,” he said about joining the project.
Director Hong Jong Chan then explained why they adapted the original webtoon. “The idea of the ‘Teacher’s Rights Protection Division’ was very compelling. The story focuses on victims, showing support and guidance. That made it impossible not to choose this story, even while adapting it,” he said.
Teach You a Lesson will be released on Netflix on Friday, June 5th.
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