[Sportschosun Kim Jun-seok] As the Netflix series 'Get Schooled' continues its explosive run, attention is once again turning to the fact that it faced calls to stop production even before it was released.
Just a week after its release, 'Get Schooled' had reached No. 1 in the Netflix TV show category in 43 countries and regions as of the 11th, while climbing to No. 2 on the global Top 10 list.
'Get Schooled' follows a fictional organization called the Educational Protection Bureau, which was created to restore order to schools disrupted by students, teachers, and parents who cross the line. Its bold take on real school problems and satisfying pace have drawn major attention since its release.
However, the project was also mired in controversy from the production stage. In July last year, 62 civic and social groups, including the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), held a press conference in front of Netflix Services Korea Ltd. in Jongno District, Seoul, and called for production of the drama 'Get Schooled' to be halted.
At the time, the groups argued that the original webtoon portrayed corporal punishment and violence as solutions to educational problems, and that some scenes included racist and sexist elements.
They also expressed concern that the story reduces complex issues such as school violence, violations of teachers’ authority, and corruption within schools into a simple revenge narrative.
In particular, they criticized the work for potentially encouraging audiences to consume violence as a form of 'satisfaction' when conflicts in schools are resolved through force.
They also said that more than 1,000 citizens and 62 groups had joined a petition opposing the drama’s production and broadcast, and demanded that it be stopped.
After those details became known, however, a different reaction also emerged online.
Some users said, "It is meaningful even just to show the reality of what is happening in schools right now," "Exposing problems and bringing them into public discussion is also part of a work’s role," and "It is disappointing to judge the entire series only by its violent scenes."
Some viewers also responded critically to the KTU’s call to halt production. Along with comments such as, "Aren’t they ignoring the real issue of violations of teachers’ authority?" and "It looks like they are trying to block the raising of problems rather than offer alternatives for teachers and students," interest in the series’ central concept, the Educational Protection Bureau, has also grown.
Indeed, online communities and social media have been filled with reactions such as, "We need an independent body in real life that can protect teachers’ authority," and "The Educational Protection Bureau is fictional, but it feels relatable."
Meanwhile, since its release, 'Get Schooled' has continued its strong performance by ranking near the top of Netflix TV show charts in several countries, including Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan.
As the series, which was already at the center of fierce debate before production even began, goes on to become a hit, the social controversy surrounding it is likely to continue for some time.
narusi@sportschosun.com
