What is Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng about?

The comedy follows Maeng Bo-ram, a Korean language teacher in a small provincial town who becomes a CSAT test developer because of an administrative error. She then works inside an isolated drafting camp, where conflicts arise as the team tries to create fair questions for students.

Why did director Lee Yong-jae choose the CSAT as the subject of Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng?

Lee Yong-jae said the CSAT matters to all citizens and reveals different aspects of Korean society. He also believed that setting the story in one restricted space would attract audiences while helping a new director save production time and money.

When will Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng be released in South Korea?

Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng will be released in local theaters on Oct. 28. Director Lee Yong-jae also encouraged students preparing for the annual exam to stay calm and continue working toward their university and personal goals.

'Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng' tackles high-stakes drama of Korea's CSAT

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Summary

Director Lee Yong-jae said he chose the College Scholastic Ability Test as the subject of his debut film in Seoul on Monday because it affects all of Korean society. “Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng” is a comedy about a Korean language teacher who mistakenly becomes a CSAT test developer and faces clashes inside a 40-day isolated drafting camp. The film satirizes conflicts surrounding the exam while emphasizing teacher Maeng Bo-ram’s dedication to students. It will open in local theaters on Oct. 28.

Key Facts

The film stars Lee Sun-bin as Maeng Bo-ram, Yoo Jae-myung as test-drafting committee head Moon Joo-yeol, Kim Young-min as Park Kyung-tae and Jeon Seok-ho as Ki-jun.
The test-development team is isolated from the outside world for 40 days while preparing the CSAT.
Lee Yong-jae said the restricted setting helped save time and money for the debut production.
Lee Sun-bin described Bo-ram as passionate, considerate toward others and deeply sincere toward her students.
Yoo Jae-myung said he sought to add comedy to the sensitive subject and break from his image of playing serious, authoritative roles.

By Baek Byung-yeul

Published Oct 19, 2026 10:29 pm KST

Actor Lee Sun-bin in a scene from “Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng” / Courtesy of BY4M Studio

Director Lee Yong-jae said he chose the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) as the subject of his debut movie “Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng” because the crucial exam means so much in Korea, even rerouting flights and bringing daily life to a halt across the nation.

“The CSAT is a matter of interest for all citizens," Lee said at a theater in Seoul, Monday after the premier of “Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng.”

“I thought taking on this story would easily draw interest from audiences. No matter which part of our society you look at, you can see many different sides of it. As a new director, telling a story in one restricted space also helped save time and money."

"Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng" is a comedy about Maeng Bo-ram (Lee Sun-bin), a Korean language teacher at a high school in a small provincial town. Maeng accidentally becomes test developer for the CSAT due to an administrative error.

Inside the locked camp, where the team members developing the test are isolated from the outside world for 40 days, she gets caught up in chaotic clashes with ambitious professors while trying her best to write fair questions for students.

"I wanted to sharply diagnose and satirize Korean society through the ludicrous and fiercely turbulent conflicts surrounding the drafting of the CSAT," the director said.

From left, actors Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Sun-bin, director Lee Jae-yong, actors Kim Young-min and Jeon Seok-ho pose during a press conference for the movie 'Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng' at a theater in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap — From left, actors Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Sun-bin, director Lee Jae-yong, actors Kim Young-min and Jeon Seok-ho pose during a press conference for the movie "Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng" at a theater in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Lee plays the passionate young teacher Bo-ram, who maintains her dedication to students despite the high-pressure environment.

"It was such a cheerful set that I can only remember laughing continuously when filming with my seniors,” she said. “I thought deeply about Bo-ram's basic nature. She is passionate and hates causing trouble for others, but above all, she has the strongest heart and sincerity toward students."

Yoo Jae-myung plays Moon Joo-yeol, the head of the test-drafting committee. Yoo said he tried to add comedic elements to the sensitive topic so viewers can laugh and take a step back.

"Although I have played many serious and authoritative roles, I actually love comedy," Yoo said. "I worked hard to break my image. The power of comedy lies in the fact that it is fun for both those who perform it and those who watch it."

Kim Young-min portrays Moon's rival Park Kyung-tae, while Jeon Seok-ho plays Ki-jun, an administrative officer for the committee.

Ahead of the nation's annual exam season, Lee offered a warm message of support to students preparing for the CSAT.

"I know very well that so many students work so hard for this single day," Lee said. "Hold on a little longer, do not be nervous and perform well so that you can achieve your dream universities and goals."

"Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng" will hit local theaters on Oct. 28.

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