South Korean Drama 'Teach You a Lesson' Tops Netflix Charts, Splits Educators

The Netflix series "Teach You a Lesson," based on the Naver webtoon of the same name, rose to the No. 1 spot on the platform’s global non‑English TV chart within three days of its release, recording 6.4 million viewing hours and reaching the top position in 43 countries. The 10‑episode school‑justice drama has become one of Netflix’s most‑watched Korean titles, drawing both praise for its fast pacing and criticism for its violent tone.

In South Korea, teachers are divided over the series. A middle‑school teacher in Seoul expressed concern that the show could make viewers see violence against students as acceptable, while another said the drama captures many classroom realities but ends in fantasy. The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations noted that the series highlights severe problems in schools but argued that teachers need legal protection, not fists, citing 438 recorded cases of rights violations last year. The debate follows earlier controversy over the original webtoon, which was accused of misogyny and far‑right ideology and was removed from Naver’s North‑American platform in 2023.

The mixed response underscores a broader discussion about educational reforms and media influence in South Korea as the drama continues to dominate streaming charts worldwide.