'The Bequeathed' tops charts in 25 countries, sparks reaction from South Korean teachers
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- The South Korean drama "The Bequeathed" has become a global hit, topping charts in 25 countries within four days of its release on Netflix.
- The series explores sensitive issues like school violence, cyberbullying, and the collapse of teacher authority, resonating deeply with educators in South Korea.
- While acknowledging the show's portrayal of a "broken classroom," the Korean Teachers' Federation expressed concern over the depicted vigilantism but aligned with the drama's critique of the educational system's dark side.
The South Korean drama "The Bequeathed" has rapidly achieved global popularity, securing the top spot in 25 countries within just four days of its release on Netflix.
The series has struck a chord not only with viewers but also with educators in South Korea. The Korean Teachers' Federation (KTF) issued a statement acknowledging the significant impact the drama has had within the education sector. Teachers have reported experiencing a mix of emotions, including sadness, regret, and catharsis, after watching the show.
After the broadcast of 'The Bequeathed,' it has caused a huge response both inside and outside the education community. Many teachers who have watched the drama have expressed that various emotions such as sadness, regret, and catharsis are intertwined.
While the KTF expressed concern regarding the depiction of vigilantism and private retribution within the drama, they also recognized its unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities within the education system. The federation stated that the show "unreservedly reveals the true face of broken classrooms," highlighting severe infringements on teachers' authority by some students and the despair teachers face due to malicious complaints.
The drama unreservedly reveals the true face of broken classrooms, the behavior of some students severely infringing on teachers' rights and reaching a state of uncontrollability, and the dark side of the educational ํ์ฅ where teachers are bound hand and foot by malicious complaints and fall into despair.
"The Bequeathed" has gained traction by blending action-packed revenge elements with critical social issues such as campus bullying, online harassment, youth gambling and drug use, unreasonable parental complaints, and the erosion of teachers' rights. The fictional "Department of Teacher Protection" featured in the series, which intervenes to rectify out-of-control school environments, has resonated with audiences who experience both frustration and satisfaction as problematic students and parents face consequences.
Directed by Hong Jong-chan, known for "Juvenile Justice," and written by Lee Nam-gyu of "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" and "The Light in Your Eyes," the drama balances thrilling action with emotional depth and humor. Actor Kim Mu-yeol has been particularly praised for his compelling performance, effectively portraying both the intense action sequences and the nuanced emotional support for victimized students, solidifying his role as an "avenger" for the education sector.
From this point of view, we are aligned with the direction of the problem awareness raised by the work.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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