Teach You A Lesson: Stay In School And Study, Kids

This Netflix K-drama focuses on the team of the newly formed Educational Rights Protection Bureau (ERPB), a group of inspectors whose jobs are to fix the broken South Korean school system. Together they use unconventional methods to rid schools of violence, bring respect back to teachers, and ultimately, change student lives for the better.

I really enjoyed watching this show, and you will too, especially if you love elements of a found family or underdogs fighting against the system. The premise of social commentary was done really well, especially surprising coming from South Korea, where the educational system is lauded and very rarely criticized. Although fictional, I liked how the show was made to be as realistic as possible, including the importance of public opinion and the detriment that the internet can cause against individual privacy. After watching the show I discovered that some of the cases were based on real life experiences (for better or for worse, because some of these episodes were tragic).

This show impressively had the right balance between humor and sorrow, which can be very difficult to accomplish. But it felt natural. Despite sharing how horrible people can be to each other, with minors taking advantage of lighter punishments against the law, the show maintained its lightheartedness. The relationships and dynamics between the main characters brought much needed laughs; it was really comforting to see that they still found joy in their lives amid the violence.

It was structured in a way where every episode focused on a new school with different problems. I loved how the worlds were occasionally intertwined and previous chraracters were shown again; they weren't ignored or shoved off to the side as if they never existed which is a problem I've had with shows in the past. I would highly recommend this show for those who want a comedic and thought provoking watch with very satisfactory results (i.e. bullies get what they deserve). If I was still in school, this show would definitely prompt me to stay there.