A unique perspective within a saturated Kdrama genre
One might feel saturated by the trend of Korean high school bullying dramas, but this show has a unique flair. Instead of handling bullying solely from the students’ perspective, it shifts the responsibility to the adults. I genuinely liked how the series not only emphasizes students bullying one another but also highlights the fact that students can bully teachers, teachers to parents and vice versa. The bureau’s scope of work is presented in a holistic way, incorporating an array of perspectives that allow viewers to appreciate the efforts being made to improve the Korean education system.Of course, realistically, this form of “corporal punishment” would be a long shot. However, it is such a breath of fresh air to see a show where students can rely on adults, as they should.
After Episode 1, I wondered how the story would progress and whether it would focus on a single school, with the drama unfolding from there. However, considering that the protagonists work as a bureau, it made perfect sense for them to reach out to different schools and address a variety of issues. It was also smart to build the story around the educational system in a way that directly involves the government. Doing so allows us to see just how broad the bureau’s reach and impact actually are. On a side note, I love how we still see some characters in the previous episode being part on later episodes. It gives a continuity and closure on their part AND Damn all the political agendas of other politicians for their own political gain, big F.
Overall, I really liked the show. It wasn’t too serious and had plenty of funny moments, but it also knew when to hit you emotionally (I cried a few times). The cast was phenomenal, and the soundtrack was great too. My love for Kim Mo-yeol only grew after watching this because he acted SO well here, he’s defo made for these kinds of dramas. My favorite grandpa, Lee Sung-min, is also in the cast, which is always a bonus. Seeing P.O. in this kind of role made me excited for his future projects as well. And Ki-joo, I absolutely loved her unhinged personality in this one and I’m so excited to see more of her.
Definitely one of the more refreshing school-themed dramas I’ve watched recently.
Was this review helpful to you?
