[Interview 3] Director Hong Jong-chan: "I Supported Kim Nam-gil After He Turned Down the Role... I’m So Grateful to the All-Rounder Kim Moo-yul" ('Teach You a Lesson')

[Sportschosun reporter Jo Ji-young] Director Hong Jong-chan said, "Kim Moo-yul is an actor who seems to be good at everything."

In an interview on the afternoon of the 11th for the Netflix series 'Teach You a Lesson' (written by Lee Nam-gyu, Kim Da-hee and Moon Jong-ho, directed by Hong Jong-chan), Hong shared his thoughts on working with Kim Moo-yul, who plays Na Hwa-jin, a School Rights Protection Bureau inspector who coolly resolves a range of problems at school in his own way; Lee Sung-min, who plays Education Minister Choi Gang-seok, the man who established the bureau; Jin Ki-joo, who plays Im Han-rim, a former special forces officer and bureau inspector; and Pyo Ji-hoon, who plays Bong Geun-dae, the bureau's genius administrative officer.

Hong Jong-chan began by saying, "I believe any drama only comes together when the characters feel relatable from my perspective. There may be perpetrators, victims and bystanders, but my principle was that I had to empathize with their stories."

He also spoke candidly about the casting controversy surrounding Na Hwa-jin, the character played by Kim Moo-yul. At the beginning of production, Kim Nam-gil had been cast in 'Teach You a Lesson,' but opposition from fans grew amid controversy over the project. He ultimately turned down the role and drew attention after posting about the casting on social media himself. Kim Nam-gil later doubled down at the production presentation for 'The Fiery Priest' in November 2024, saying, "If fans are uncomfortable, then it is right not to do it."

Regarding that, Hong Jong-chan said, "Casting is the most important part of any project. We go through a great deal of thought to find the right fit, and the controversy around 'Teach You a Lesson' was part of that process. Every project has issues of its own. Kim Nam-gil is a truly great actor, and I always support him. If we get a good opportunity for another project, I would like to work with him again. We support each other."

He also expressed his appreciation for finally casting Kim Moo-yul after a long process, saying, "I was so grateful to Kim Moo-yul. I already knew how appealing he was as an actor. Through his previous work 'Juvenile Justice,' I saw his emotional range, comedy and action, and I thought he was an actor who could do it all. I had been thinking that I should make good use of that actor someday, and this time we were able to work together again. In fact, I relied on Kim Moo-yul a great deal on set as well."

'Teach You a Lesson,' based on the webtoon of the same name by Chae Yong-taek and Han Ga-ram, depicts the satisfying and refreshing efforts of the School Rights Protection Bureau, which was created to protect Korea's education sites from students, teachers and parents who cross the line. Kim Moo-yul, Lee Sung-min, Jin Ki-joo and Pyo Ji-hoon star in the series, while Lee Nam-gyu, Kim Da-hee and Moon Jong-ho, who wrote 'Daily Dose of Sunshine,' penned the script. Hong Jong-chan, who directed 'Juvenile Justice' and 'Mr. Plankton,' helmed the project. It was released on Netflix on the 5th.

Jo Ji-young reporter soulhn1220@sportschosun.com