Kim Mu Yeol Draws Buzz in Netflix Hit Drama “Teach You a Lesson”

K-drama Teach You a Lesson has quickly become a hit on Netflix, topping the charts since its premiere. Adapted from the Naver webtoon Get Schooled and directed by Hong Jong-chan (Juvenile Justice), the series stars Kim Mu-yeol as Na Hwa-jin, an inspector from the Education Rights Protection Bureau. The 44-year-old actor who’s both commanding and charismatic as the badass main protagonist has gained a lot of buzz along with the show.

The original Get Schooled webtoon sparked criticism over depictions of racism and sexism, and when news broke that it would be adapted into a drama, backlash quickly followed. Actor Kim Nam-gil received the offer first but turned down the role twice. The production team eventually cast Kim Mu-yeol, a decision that has proven successful as the drama continues to gain popularity amid controversy. Certain lines and most controversial elements from the source material were removed or significantly toned down. Kim Mu-yeol had previously said that he believes actors should let the project speak for itself, and it certainly has.

Set in an era where school violence is rampant and respect for teachers has collapsed, the story follows the government’s creation of the controversial Education Rights Protection Bureau. The agency dispatches supervisors to schools on the front lines where they take drastic measures, even resorting to violence, to protect both students and educators. It also stars Lee Sung-min as Choi Gang-seok, Jin Ki-joo as Im Han-rim, and Pyo Ji-hoon (P.O) as Bong Geun-dae who make up the 4-member team.