Korean Politician Pushes for Educational Rights Protection Bureau After Webtoon Drama

A Korean politician has sparked discussions about school authority reforms after watching the popular Netflix live-action series Teach You A Lesson. Min-seok Ahn, a recently elected superintendent for Gyeonggi Province and a seasoned lawmaker, shared his thoughts following a full viewing of the show’s 10 episodes.

In a Facebook post, Ahn acknowledged the series’ dramatic and sometimes violent scenes. Still, he highlighted that it mirrors real challenges facing schools today, especially the decline in teacher authority. He pointed out that many teachers and parents have tuned into the show, indicating a shared concern about current educational issues.

Ahn suggested that creating an “Educational Rights Protection Bureau” could help rebuild trust in school communities. The idea comes alongside a proposal from a Democratic Party policy researcher to form a similar bureau under the Ministry of Education. For Ahn, restoring teacher authority is urgent, and he envisions a “Gyeonggi-style Educational Rights Protection Bureau” where students eagerly attend school, teachers gain respect, and parents feel secure.

Since its release on June 5, Teach You A Lesson has reached a wide audience and quickly topped Netflix’s global non-English TV rankings. The show adapts the webtoon Get Schooled, which follows Hwa-jin Na, an education officer trying to restore order in schools after corporal punishment is banned. Despite its intense scenes, the series tackles the struggle to maintain discipline and justice in education.

The original webtoon gained attention for its strong state power themes but also faced criticism for portraying marginalized groups negatively and using violence as a conflict resolver. Last year, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union opposed the Netflix adaptation, concerned the series might misrepresent the education system.

Overall, Ahn’s call for public feedback on the proposed bureau reflects growing attention to education challenges in Korea. Teach You A Lesson has clearly struck a chord, not just as entertainment but as a catalyst for debate about how to protect teachers’ rights and foster better school environments.