SEOUL, June 18 (Yonhap) -- At first glance, the Netflix Korean series "Teach You a Lesson" appears to be a school drama tailored primarily for South Korean audiences.
Based on the webtoon "Get Schooled," the series follows Na Hwa-jin (Kim Mu-yeol), Im Han-rim (Jin Ki-joo) and Bong Geun-dae (Pyo Ji-hoon), members of the fictional Education Rights Protection Bureau, as they set out to literally "teach lessons" to school bullies and corrupt adults.
Across its 10 episodes, the fearless trio tackle a range of dark issues in the education scene -- including school violence, teen gangs, drugs, cheating scandals, gambling and overprotective parents -- often through cathartic, if somewhat violent, confrontations with villains.
But despite its distinctly South Korean setting and gritty portrayal of the country's education system, the series has struck a chord with audiences around the world. It topped Netflix's non-English TV chart for the second consecutive week and ranked among the 10 most-watched non-English shows in 91 countries.
On the popular review platform Rotten Tomatoes, the series has earned an 83 percent rating among critics and a 94 percent rating among general audiences.
This image, provided by Netflix, shows a scene from the Korean series "Teach You a Lesson." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Overseas fans have noted that while the drama depicts South Korean society, its story feels relatable to students and teachers anywhere. Many have also praised the solid performances across the cast, including the different villains who appear throughout the series.
Rather than glossing over the issues it portrays, "Teach You a Lesson" delivers a strong message in each episode, showing the consequences faced by both victims and perpetrators, while also highlighting the systemic failures that allowed such problems to occur.
"It realistically portrays what teachers, students and parents across the world are experiencing everyday," one audience member wrote on Rotten Tomatoes.
"As a teacher, this series was pure dopamine. ... Seeing students, parents, and even schools being held accountable in such an unconventional way was incredibly satisfying," another user wrote on Reddit.
This image, provided by Netflix, shows a scene from the Korean series "Teach You a Lesson." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Jin, who plays the special forces soldier-turned-inspector Im, echoed the sentiment, crediting the clarity of the show's message as one reason behind its popularity.
"Victims should be able to find comfort and get back on their feet, while perpetrators should realize what they did wrong and reflect on their actions. ... It seems like such an obvious principle, but things do not always unfold like that in reality, so it was good to see that clearly demonstrated in the drama," Jin told reporters in a recent group interview.
Kim, who plays lead inspector Na, said he did not expect the story to resonate beyond South Korea.
"I remember getting a message from a teacher in Malaysia who had watched the series and was moved and comforted by it," he told reporters in a group interview last week. "I never imaged the story would connect with people across borders in this way."
This image, provided by Netflix, shows a scene from the Korean series "Teach You a Lesson." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Despite the hype surrounding the show, critics have pointed out that the series relies on a simple, fantasy-like approach to complex educational issues.
The premise, which allows inspectors to use violence to discipline problematic students, had been controversial from the start, with the original webtoon previously facing backlash over its racial and sexist depictions.
Director Hong Jong-chan acknowledged those concerns but said he hoped the show would be "meaningful" if it can spark a social discussion.
"If there are viewers who have felt emotions similar to those of the victims, I hope they can find comfort through the drama," Hong said in an interview with reporters. "I can't speak about social systems, but if this series can open up a space for conversation, I think that alone would be meaningful."