Former Marines, special forces teachers volunteer for real-life 'Teach You a Lesson' team
Gyeonggi Province education superintendent-elect Ahn Min-seok speaks during a CBS Radio broadcast, Tuesday, addressing a policy proposal to deploy military-veteran educators to protect teachers' rights, an idea inspired by the Netflix series "Teach You a Lesson." Captured from YouTube
Korea’s debate over classroom disruptions is so urgent that a vigilante-style Netflix drama is shaping policy, prompting Gyeonggi Province education superintendent-elect Ahn Min-seok to cite the series and emphasize the need to protect teachers' authority and students' right to learn.
Ahn appeared on Korean broadcaster CBS Radio on Tuesday to discuss the hit series "Teach You a Lesson."
Noting the Netflix series' popularity, Ahn said he met the minister of education Monday.
"The minister told me he watched up to the fifth episode. I think it is time for the ministry to make a decision as well," Ahn said.
Kim Mu-yeol plays Na Hwa-jin in the Korean drama series "Teach You a Lesson." Courtesy of Netflix
The series centers on the fictional Korean Educational Rights Protection Bureau, but Ahn stressed its methods cannot be replicated.
"The drama's bureau cannot exist in reality, and we must never use violent punishment," Ahn said.
Instead, Ahn proposed creating a teacher protection agency to protect teachers and students.
Ahn said he received messages from educators volunteering to become real-life versions of Na Hwa-jin, the drama's protagonist and the fictional bureau inspector played by actor Kim Mu-yeol.
"Among licensed teachers, there are far more military veterans — including former Marines and Special Warfare Command members — than expected," Ahn said. "I received messages saying that if such a system is created, they definitely want to participate."
A scene from Netflix original series "Teach You a Lesson" / Courtesy of Netflix
Ahn proposed forming a specialized task force of 20 to 30 individuals. The team would deploy to troubled schools where teachers have lost control of disruptive students, aiming to restore classroom order through guidance and discipline rather than violence.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.