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| 2026-06-16 15:33:05
actress-interview
Jin Ki-joo says 'Teach You a Lesson' resonates by consoling victims, confronting bullies
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, June 16 (Yonhap) -- Jin Ki-joo, who takes on the role of a no-nonsense inspector who holds bullies accountable in "Teach You a Lesson," on Tuesday credited the popularity of the hit Netflix drama series to its clear message of justice.
Jin plays Im Han-rim, a former special forces soldier who is now an inspector at the fictional Educational Rights Protection Bureau (ERPB), established to protect the rights of teachers and students. She is one of the three inspectors of the ERPB, with the other two played by Kim Mu-yeol and Pyo Ji-hoon.
"Victims should be able to find comfort and get back on their feet, while perpetrators should realize what they did wrong and reflect on their actions. ... It seems like such an obvious principle, but things do not always unfold like that in reality, so it was good to see that clearly demonstrated in the drama," Jin told reporters in a group interview.
Buoyed by its cathartic message at a time when no clear resolution seems to exist against school bullying and other issues in the public education system, the webtoon-based series debuted at No. 1 on the weekly non-English show chart on Netflix.
Jin said she was fascinated by how a story she thought was confined to South Korea has gained popularity globally and thanked overseas viewers for their support.
"In our first meeting, director Hong Jong-chan explained that schools around the world also have their own issues," she said. "While cultures vary, we seem to go through similar patterns of change. It made me think that things like selfishness among people are playing out in much the same way everywhere."
When asked about the mixed reviews surrounding her performance as Han-rim, a character defined by her fearless personality and aggressive voice, Jin said she leaned into those traits to reflect Han-rim's own life journey as a survivor.
"Think how tough it would have been for a fragile kid like Han-rim who used to run away from bullies to go through intense, almost unbelievable training to become a strong person. ... I think (her voice) was something ingrained within her as she overcame all that," she said.
Expanding on Han-rim's personal history, Jin said one of the most personally touching scenes for her was when Na Hwa-jin (Kim Mu-yeol) saved her when she was being chased by bullies.
"Hwa-jin's line in that scene was so powerful, I felt shivers run through me. It completely persuaded me on why Han-rim followed Hwa-jin into the military, and she would always follow him without asking why," she said.
On the notion that "Teach You a Lesson" is ultimately a story about "good adults" lending support to younger and weaker people, Jin said she is on her way to becoming such an adult by staying true to her words.
"I want to be a person who keeps her word, someone who takes responsibility for her actions and words, someone who can protect people younger than her."
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