Netflix confirmed the production of the controversial "Correct Education."
On the 20th, Netflix confirmed the production of the new series "Correct Education" and revealed the main casting lineup of actors Kim Moo-yeol, Lee Sung-min, Jin Ki-joo, and Pyo Ji-hoon.
"Correct Education" is a story about exhilarating and refreshing corrective education depicted by the Teaching Rights Protection Agency, which was established to protect the teaching rights and educational field of South Korea that have collapsed due to overstepping students, teachers, and parents. The drama is known to boldly and refreshingly address realistic issues in education with a straightforward message, newly adapted and planned by borrowing elements from the original webtoon.
However, in the original webtoon, there were controversial depictions of corporal punishment where supervisors hit students, expressions of racism towards people of color, and scenes of a feminist educator being slapped, described as "hard liquor." There were controversies about equating feminist education with anti-communist indoctrination, leading to strong criticism from overseas readers and causing the service to be suspended on North American platforms in September 2023 while it was still being serialized. Subsequently, the original authors, Chae Yong-taek and Han Ga-ram, only wrote an English apology while resuming serialization three months later in Korea without making any significant public statement, leading to even more criticism from Korean users.
In the meantime, director Hong Jong-chan and writer Lee Nam-kyu are expected to depict a story that is essential in this era with a refined perspective and a more realistic and intense message. Previously, director Hong Jong-chan portrayed the issues of the juvenile law system that existed in our society but had never been examined through the Netflix series "Juvenile Justice," showcasing the stories of characters struggling behind the scenes, and he has also addressed various aspects of life in the drama "Dear My Friends." There are rising expectations for how he will portray the characters and situations of "Correct Education," including students, teachers, and parents, each facing different problems. Furthermore, writer Lee Nam-kyu, who has suggested warm yet thought-provoking topics through Netflix series "Even the Morning Comes to the Psychiatric Ward" and the drama "Radiant," has raised curiosity about what message he will convey through "Correct Education."
Kim Moo-yeol and Lee Sung-min, who previously collaborated with director Hong Jong-chan on "Juvenile Justice," join "Correct Education," adding credibility to the series. First, Kim Moo-yeol, who has shown characters that traverse good and evil through the Netflix series "Juvenile Justice," "Sweet Home," and the films "Crime City 4" and "Honest Candidate," plays the role of the Teaching Rights Protection Agency supervisor ‘Nahwa-jin,’ effectively solving various problems occurring at school in his own way, providing viewers with refreshing entertainment and satisfaction reminiscent of soda. Particularly, Kim Moo-yeol said, "Everyone's enthusiasm was tremendous. Prior to discussing the challenging topic of education, I thought again about being alongside colleagues I could trust and rely on while reading the script together, and I gained great strength. It was an exciting beginning to the story we will create together," heightening anticipation for the ‘Nahwa-jin’ character that will awaken the true meaning of education.
Lee Sung-min, who has showcased persuasive and relatable performances through films "Spring of Seoul," "Handsome Guys," and dramas "Juvenile Justice," "Lucky Day," and "The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate," plays the Minister ‘Choi Kang-seok,’ who founded the Teaching Rights Protection Agency. Lee Sung-min said, "I was impressed by Lee Nam-kyu's previous works, so I also have high expectations. Since this is my second collaboration with director Hong Jong-chan after 'Juvenile Justice,' I trust working with him. Above all, I am happy to work with such excellent actors. I will do my best to present a good piece of work," expressing his expectations for the project along with trust in director Hong Jong-chan and writer Lee Nam-kyu.
The role of the Teaching Rights Protection Agency supervisor ‘Im Han-rim,’ a graduate of the Special Forces, is played by Jin Ki-joo, who has shown her talents in films "Little Forest," "Midnight," and dramas "Undercover High School," "Uncle Samsik," and "By Chance, You." The role of the genius staff member ‘Bong Geun-dae’ in the Teaching Rights Protection Agency is taken by Pyo Ji-hoon, who is known for his diverse acting spectrum through dramas "Good Partner," "Yumi's Cells" Season 2, "Hotel Del Luna," and theater productions "Me and My Grandpa" and "Nuts," raising curiosity about what kind of character he will create.
Jin Ki-joo and Pyo Ji-hoon said, “The script, which firmly grounds us in the reality we are living in, was attractive. It makes us think about what we need to contemplate together with the fantasy of the ‘Teaching Rights Agency.’ The reading site was alive in itself. Thanks to this, I gained tension and excitement about the time living as ‘Im Han-rim’” (Jin Ki-joo), “Watching ‘Juvenile Justice,’ I was amazed by how powerful a message the drama genre can convey to society. I am thrilled and happy to be able to work with director Hong Jong-chan through ‘Correct Education,’ along with esteemed senior actors Lee Sung-min, Kim Moo-yeol, and Jin Ki-joo, with whom I wanted to share the stage. While it is true that there is pressure and tension due to the weighty message of this work, I will do my best to learn a lot on set and contribute to completing a good drama” (Pyo Ji-hoon), expressing their fond feelings about the project.
Through the fresh setting of the fictional government agency Teaching Rights Protection Agency, "Correct Education" depicts a refreshing story that aims to restore teaching rights, raising expectations for exhilarating entertainment with the casting lineup of trustworthy actors.
[Photo] Provided by Netflix.
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