Jun 07, 2026 5:59pm IST
‘Teach You A Lesson’ Review: Kim Mu-Yeol is Convincing as the Vigilante Cleansing the World of Education
School bullying in South Korea is an issue that has been given wide coverage on screen in the country. In 2022, “The Glory” had audiences in shock with its depiction of extreme physical violence inflicted on its lead character, Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo). Series like “Weak Hero Class,” “Pyramid Game,” and “Revenge Notes” are some of the other titles on this subject that have impacted and resonated with audiences. Netflix’s latest production, “Teach You A Lesson,” is based on the webtoon “Get Schooled.” In this, audiences see an elite task force taking on the perpetrators — school bullies, evil parents and corrupt educators — in a manner that is as forceful, devilish and mafia-esque.
Kim Mu-Yeol plays Na Hwa-jin, a special forces soldier who loses his fiancée to school violence. Guided by his fiancée’s father, Choi Gang-seok (Lee Sung-min), he forms a task force that wages war on notorious schools in the country. His close-knit team includes Im Han-rim (Jin Ki-joo) and P.O (Bong Geun-Dae). From eliminating the influence of gangs in public schools to exposing unscrupulous parents, every episode tackles pertinent issues festering in a system where academic success takes precedence over everything else. The situations might seem exaggerated, but the messaging of the show has immense clarity with a touch of humanity.
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It won’t be wrong to say that Kim Mu-Yeol as Na Hwa-jin is the heart and soul of the series. His character will remind you of Korean drama heroes like Vincenzo Cassano from “Vincenzo” and Baek Kang-hyuk of “The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call.” Na Hwa-jin takes down the scum in school corridors with sass, sarcasm and some cool kicks. Jin ki-joo shines in action shows, and it’s no different here. Lee Sung-min also packs a punch as the founder of the Education Rights Protection Bureau, aimed at eradicating school evils.
The writing is sharp and the pacing is excellent. Between all the fights and action, there are emotional moments where viewers see struggles of ordinary students, educators and parents in a hierarchical set-up defined by power, position and class divide. Hong Jong-chan, whose résumé includes Korean shows like “Mr. Plankton,” “Juvenile Justice,” and “Her Private Life,” does justice to different cases in the series. On the technical front, the stunt choreography and sound stand out.
The filmmaker has delved into the world of delinquent teens with “Juvenile Justice,” but “Teach You A Lesson,” not only explores the dark side of hostile adolescents but also those who profit from individuals obsessed with academic outcomes.
“Teach You A Lesson” has already caught the attention of global viewers and sparked conversations on the rampant and widespread bullying in South Korean schools. There are protests against the use of corporal punishment shown freely in the series. A couple of scenes might come across as misogynistic. The series is based on the webtoon by Chae Yongtaek, and the celluloid version is a toned-down one.
While it might be an exaggerated version of school-bullying in South Korea, “Teach You A Lesson” has its heart in the right place to a large extent. It sheds light on how a system obsessed with academics can bring out the worst in students, educators, parents and those associated with the business of education.
The use of corporal punishment is debatable, but resonates with the theme of extreme situations calling for extreme measures. Kim Nam-gil, one of the top Korean drama stars, was supposed to headline the show, but he decided to step down from the series. However, the initial reviews of Kim Mu-Yeol’s performance on social media hint that he could be looking at one of his best onscreen outings ever.
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