Some dramas arrive at the right moment and say exactly what audiences needed to hear. Netflix’s Teach You a Lesson has done exactly that, shooting to the top of global charts within days of its release. However, beyond the buzz and binge-watch reactions, the series carries something far more emotional: it serves as the final screen performance of late actor Song Young-gyu, who passed away in August 2025 at the age of 55.
What Is Teach You a Lesson About?
Teach You a Lesson is a 10-episode Netflix original Korean drama that released on June 5, 2026. The series follows the fictional Educational Rights Protection Bureau, a government-backed agency that steps into schools collapsing under the weight of problematic students, abusive parents, and systemic failures. Each episode focuses on a different school and incident, following an omnibus format.
The drama is based on the popular Naver webtoon of the same name and directed by Hong Jong Chan, known for Juvenile Justice and Dear My Friends. The screenplay comes from writer Lee Nam Kyu, known for Daily Dose of Sunshine and The Light in Your Eyes.
Main cast:
| Actor | Character |
| Kim Moo-yeol | Na Hwa-jin, Bureau supervisor |
| Lee Sung-min | Education Minister Choi Kang-seok |
| Jin Ki-joo | Im Han Rim, former special forces inspector |
| Pyo Ji-hoon | Bong Geun-dae, KAIST graduate turned undercover |
How Is Teach You a Lesson Performing on Netflix?
The numbers speak for themselves. According to global OTT ranking platform FlixPatrol, Teach You a Lesson debuted at No. 5 globally on its release day and climbed to No. 3 in Netflix’s global TV category by June 8, earning 674 points. It reached No. 1 in 25 countries, including South Korea, India, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Bolivia, Oman, and Peru.
In English-speaking markets, the series landed within the Top 10 in Australia (No. 6), Canada (No. 5), and New Zealand (No. 6). According to Netflix’s companion site Tudum, the show ranked No. 1 on the global Top 10 non-English TV shows chart for the week of June 1 to 7, amassing 6.4 million views in its first three days.
Domestically, the drama topped Netflix’s “Top 10 Series in South Korea Today” immediately after release and held the No. 1 spot as of June 9.
Good Data Corporation rankings for the first week of June:
- Teach You a Lesson debuted at No. 2 among all dramas with 54,881 points
- It became the highest-scoring Netflix original released in 2026 so far
- Ranked 12th in all-time TV-OTT opening buzz rankings
- Kim Moo-yeol ranked No. 1 in cast popularity
- Jin Ki-joo ranked 5th, Lee Sung-min ranked 8th, and Pyo Ji-hoon ranked 9th, placing the entire main cast inside the Top 10
Song Young-gyu’s Final Role in Teach You a Lesson
Song Young-gyu appears in Episode 1 as Ryu Kwang-pil, a National Assembly member and leading presidential candidate. His son, Ryu Jun-hyeong, is the ringleader behind a school violence case that forms the episode’s central plot.
Rather than addressing his son’s crimes, Ryu Kwang-pil uses his political power to obstruct Bureau supervisor Na Hwa-jin and even attempts to dismantle the Educational Rights Protection Bureau entirely. However, Education Minister Choi Kang-seok publicly exposes two years’ worth of corruption evidence against Ryu Kwang-pil, including illegal bribery and sexual harassment of a female aide. The exposure strips him of parliamentary immunity and leads directly to his downfall and imprisonment alongside his son.
Viewers have praised Song Young-gyu for the depth and command he brought to the role despite its relatively short screen time. His portrayal of a powerful man caught between arrogance and desperation elevated the episode’s tension and set a strong tone for the series.
Teach You a Lesson completed filming before Song Young-gyu’s death, making it effectively his final completed work.
Who Was Song Young-gyu?
| Detail | Info |
| Full name | Song Young-gyu (also credited as Song Young-kyu) |
| Born | 1970 |
| Passed away | August 4, 2025, aged 55 |
| Career start | 1994 musical Murtle the Turtle Sage |
| Film debut | Turn It Up (2002) |
| Total dramas | Over 40 television dramas |
| Resting place | Hambaeksan Memorial Park |
Song Young-gyu built his career quietly over more than three decades as one of South Korea’s most respected supporting actors. He made his debut in the 1994 musical Murtle the Turtle Sage and went on to appear in dozens of celebrated dramas and films.
Notable works:
- Dramas: Misaeng, Reply 1988, The Chaser, Golden Time, Hot Stove League, Narco-Saints, Big Bet
- Films: Public Enemy 2, Extreme Job, Hope, A Hard Day, V.I.P.
His role as the planning office manager in Misaeng and as Chief Choi in Extreme Job, one of South Korea’s highest-grossing films ever, remain particularly beloved among Korean audiences. International viewers recognised him most through Netflix’s Narco-Saints and Disney+’s Big Bet, both released in 2022.
Song Young-gyu was discovered deceased inside a parked vehicle at a residential complex in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, on August 4, 2025, just 10 days after being referred to prosecutors on drink-driving charges. He was 55 years old. Authorities found no signs of foul play. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
At the time of his passing, he had been actively working across three simultaneous projects: SBS drama The Winning Try, ENA series The Defects, and the stage production Shakespeare in Love. Following the news, the drama production teams announced plans to minimise his remaining footage, and he stepped down from the theatre production. Teach You a Lesson, however, had already completed filming, which is why his performance in the series survives in full.
How Viewers Are Responding to His Final Performance
The emotional response to Song Young-gyu’s appearance in Teach You a Lesson has spread widely across social media and online communities since the series launched.
Viewers have shared tributes including comments such as
“Song Young-gyu was overwhelming even with such a short appearance,”
“Knowing this was his final work makes it even sadder,” and “He acted so well in Teach You a Lesson. This is heartbreaking.”
One fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter:
“I was so focused on the plot of Teach You a Lesson that I didn’t even realise the actor playing the bully’s father in episode one was Song Young-gyu. It wasn’t until now that it clicked. It’s a strange feeling when you recognise an actor after the fact and remember that they’re no longer here. Supporting actors rarely get the same attention as lead stars, but they’re often the ones who make these dramas feel real. Rest in peace, Song Young-gyu.”
What the Cast and Crew Have Said
Director Hong Jong Chan explained the series’ intent, saying the fictional Bureau was appealing precisely because it resolves real-world frustrations from the victim’s perspective. He added that rather than presenting clear answers, the aim is to encourage viewers to reflect on the actual violations of teachers’ rights happening in reality.
Lead actor Kim Moo-yeol, who reunited with the director following Juvenile Justice, said he chose the project because it explores current educational realities and systemic issues. He added that he acted sincerely and hoped viewers could feel that sincerity.
Lee Sung-min shared that his goal for his character was to portray someone who never compromises when it comes to restoring education. Jin Ki-joo revealed she studied real soldier footage to prepare for her role as a former special forces inspector.
It is worth noting that Kim Nam-gil was reportedly offered the lead role of Na Hwa-jin during casting but publicly declined due to controversies surrounding the original webtoon. Kim Moo-yeol later stepped in and took on the part.
Is Teach You a Lesson Dividing Opinion?
Despite its strong performance, the series has prompted mixed reactions from Korean educators specifically. While many viewers find the drama’s cathartic approach deeply satisfying, some teachers have raised concerns that its use of physical intervention could send misleading messages about how real schools operate.
The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations (KFTA) released a statement acknowledging that the drama reflects genuine frustrations educators face, but stressed that what teachers actually need is not physical force but stronger legal protections. The KFTA also noted that 438 cases involving violations of teachers’ rights were recorded in the previous year alone.
General audiences, however, have reacted positively. Viewer comments include “This deserves to be No. 1,” “It’s incredibly satisfying,” and “I binge-watched it in one day.”
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