9
9
1
1
1
1
6
1
1
1
1
4
This review may contain spoilers
No More Useless Adults
A 10-hour long lesson that was not boring?! I honestly enjoyed this drama because it is both bold and refreshing. Why? Because it finally addresses major, overlooked issues in the education system that are rarely resolved this way in dramas. It tackles issues like life-threatening school bullying, exam cheating, drug trafficking among students, social media manipulation, and obsessive parenting, just to name a few. The drama brilliantly addresses ten distinct issues, with each episode focusing on a new case revolving around the education sector.
It also finally shows adults stepping up and solving these problems regardless of the victim's background( a teacher, student or a parent). It's baffling, I know, because we are so used to watching the powerful and influential get away with literally anything, but not in this world. Not under the ERPB 's(Education Rights Protection Bureau) watch, which stands firmly with the victims until justice is served. This is exactly what I found so bold and refreshing!
While our leads are united by this board, the reason behind its formation was low-key selfish, stemming from a personal vendetta. Inspector Na’s fiancée sadly died at the hands of a student. She was a strong advocate for disciplining children as responsible adults, which inspired the formation of this bureau. Even though its origins were personal, seeing the board work with complete impartiality, truly going after the perpetrators and giving them a taste of their own medicine, was incredibly satisfying.
I enjoyed watching Kim Mu-yeol's performance as Inspector Na Hwa-jin; he portrayed this "blade of justice" aura in such a convincing way that it never felt dull. Lee Sung-min was equally superb as Choi Gang-seok, the Education Minister and the creator of the bureau. The two shared fantastic dynamic, never wavering when administering justice. One executes the field operations while the other handles the political repercussions, creating a perfect balance within the ERPB when things get extremely messy and wild lol. I also enjoyed Jin Ki-joo’s performance as Im Han-rim, who was this brilliant "loose cannon" of the team, even if her sudden screams could be a bit off-putting at times.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the action scenes by our skilled inspectors, and how the cases were solved at a breakneck pace that never dragged. There were many heartfelt moments, alongside plenty of instances that make you question if common sense is truly common, for most of the characters here lacked it. You will be completely baffled by the misplaced priorities of some characters, for instance, a mother who is ready to risk absolutely everything just for her son to get into medical school. Emphasis on absolutely EVERYTHING! It doesn't even matter that her son is fighting for his life in a coma; she still asks the doctor if he will wake up in time for the CSATs! This drama covers all of that, ensuring the victims of a failed system are protected and given justice.
Conclusion...
We have been long overdue for this kind of action. While it is thrilling to watch school thrillers where students are abandoned to fight their own bloody battles, like in Study Group, The Glory, and Weak Hero Class 1, this was a total breath of fresh air because competent adults were actively involved in rectifying these monstrous acts.
I have to admit, the concept of the ERPB punishing delinquents without limitations or legal boundaries was scary at first but after diving into the drama and watching these perpetrators show absolutely zero remorse for their despicable acts, it made perfect sense. They can only be taught a lesson in a language they truly understand, and if that language is violence, then violence it is. This was yet another well-done thought-provoking drama. I know that such an extreme approach would rightly be frowned upon in reality, however I still applaud this drama for reminding us that while good grades and careers are important, nurturing a person's dignity and moral integrity matters just as much. I'm so glad I sat through this 10-hour lesson. Totally worth it!
It also finally shows adults stepping up and solving these problems regardless of the victim's background( a teacher, student or a parent). It's baffling, I know, because we are so used to watching the powerful and influential get away with literally anything, but not in this world. Not under the ERPB 's(Education Rights Protection Bureau) watch, which stands firmly with the victims until justice is served. This is exactly what I found so bold and refreshing!
While our leads are united by this board, the reason behind its formation was low-key selfish, stemming from a personal vendetta. Inspector Na’s fiancée sadly died at the hands of a student. She was a strong advocate for disciplining children as responsible adults, which inspired the formation of this bureau. Even though its origins were personal, seeing the board work with complete impartiality, truly going after the perpetrators and giving them a taste of their own medicine, was incredibly satisfying.
I enjoyed watching Kim Mu-yeol's performance as Inspector Na Hwa-jin; he portrayed this "blade of justice" aura in such a convincing way that it never felt dull. Lee Sung-min was equally superb as Choi Gang-seok, the Education Minister and the creator of the bureau. The two shared fantastic dynamic, never wavering when administering justice. One executes the field operations while the other handles the political repercussions, creating a perfect balance within the ERPB when things get extremely messy and wild lol. I also enjoyed Jin Ki-joo’s performance as Im Han-rim, who was this brilliant "loose cannon" of the team, even if her sudden screams could be a bit off-putting at times.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the action scenes by our skilled inspectors, and how the cases were solved at a breakneck pace that never dragged. There were many heartfelt moments, alongside plenty of instances that make you question if common sense is truly common, for most of the characters here lacked it. You will be completely baffled by the misplaced priorities of some characters, for instance, a mother who is ready to risk absolutely everything just for her son to get into medical school. Emphasis on absolutely EVERYTHING! It doesn't even matter that her son is fighting for his life in a coma; she still asks the doctor if he will wake up in time for the CSATs! This drama covers all of that, ensuring the victims of a failed system are protected and given justice.
Conclusion...
We have been long overdue for this kind of action. While it is thrilling to watch school thrillers where students are abandoned to fight their own bloody battles, like in Study Group, The Glory, and Weak Hero Class 1, this was a total breath of fresh air because competent adults were actively involved in rectifying these monstrous acts.
I have to admit, the concept of the ERPB punishing delinquents without limitations or legal boundaries was scary at first but after diving into the drama and watching these perpetrators show absolutely zero remorse for their despicable acts, it made perfect sense. They can only be taught a lesson in a language they truly understand, and if that language is violence, then violence it is. This was yet another well-done thought-provoking drama. I know that such an extreme approach would rightly be frowned upon in reality, however I still applaud this drama for reminding us that while good grades and careers are important, nurturing a person's dignity and moral integrity matters just as much. I'm so glad I sat through this 10-hour lesson. Totally worth it!
Was this review helpful to you?
