Taxi Driver: School Bully Version
Teach You A Lesson was one of my most anticipated dramas this year and it didn't disappoint!
Ep 1 was a great start after which the momentum stabilizes to a case by case format of troublesome school after troublesome school. Through 10 episodes, the drama covers all the major bullying crimes including physical violence, substance use, cyber crimes, stalking, defamation and scamming.
Kim Mu Yeol and his slaps keep delivering until Jin Ki Joo, P.O and Lee Sung Min join the action. The main cast comprising these four Anti-Bully Avengers definitely carried the show with their friendly camaraderie. Kim Mu Yeol has charisma for days and the swagger of a believable action hero protagonist, while Jin Ki Joo and the rest of the cast are equally engaging in their roles.
Having said that, I do want to mention that this show seems to have a lot of fourth wall breaking, preach-heavy moments. Satire usually hits when the message is more subtle and indirect so I do wonder if the ones who truly need these lessons both among students and the adults around them will get the message.
At the same time, it's very evident that the makers put a lot of effort into shaping the script in such a way that they'd cover all the possible domains of potential criticism from viewers beforehand. From public outrage from hypocritical human rights warriors to making sure they mention that they're only after the bad apples among both teachers and students and acknowledging the good ones that do exist and reassuring that their mission is for their protection, they've done a good job presenting a neutral unbiased view that keeps educational rights at the forefront.
While this helps theme-wise, this creative choice may have tipped slightly into becoming an overcorrection with constant repetition of similar thoughts across multiple episodes which has then also compromised the overall pacing of the show. This can put off some viewers who are more used to the steady build up of anticipation and dread in more conventional action/thrillers, especially high school themed thrillers set around a single school and one common enemy.
Regardless, this was a fun watch overall with a solid theme. Lots of entertaining action choreography and a healthy balance of humor and emotion.
Teach You A Lesson is a really fun addition to high school themed revenge dramas, this time with adults delivering the slaps-err-justice!
Ep 1 was a great start after which the momentum stabilizes to a case by case format of troublesome school after troublesome school. Through 10 episodes, the drama covers all the major bullying crimes including physical violence, substance use, cyber crimes, stalking, defamation and scamming.
Kim Mu Yeol and his slaps keep delivering until Jin Ki Joo, P.O and Lee Sung Min join the action. The main cast comprising these four Anti-Bully Avengers definitely carried the show with their friendly camaraderie. Kim Mu Yeol has charisma for days and the swagger of a believable action hero protagonist, while Jin Ki Joo and the rest of the cast are equally engaging in their roles.
Having said that, I do want to mention that this show seems to have a lot of fourth wall breaking, preach-heavy moments. Satire usually hits when the message is more subtle and indirect so I do wonder if the ones who truly need these lessons both among students and the adults around them will get the message.
At the same time, it's very evident that the makers put a lot of effort into shaping the script in such a way that they'd cover all the possible domains of potential criticism from viewers beforehand. From public outrage from hypocritical human rights warriors to making sure they mention that they're only after the bad apples among both teachers and students and acknowledging the good ones that do exist and reassuring that their mission is for their protection, they've done a good job presenting a neutral unbiased view that keeps educational rights at the forefront.
While this helps theme-wise, this creative choice may have tipped slightly into becoming an overcorrection with constant repetition of similar thoughts across multiple episodes which has then also compromised the overall pacing of the show. This can put off some viewers who are more used to the steady build up of anticipation and dread in more conventional action/thrillers, especially high school themed thrillers set around a single school and one common enemy.
Regardless, this was a fun watch overall with a solid theme. Lots of entertaining action choreography and a healthy balance of humor and emotion.
Teach You A Lesson is a really fun addition to high school themed revenge dramas, this time with adults delivering the slaps-err-justice!
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