Netflix’s upcoming live-action adaptation of the controversial webtoon Educate yourself sparked renewed criticism, with viewers raising concerns about its portrayal of feminism even before the series was broadcast.
Below is Netflix is producing a drama version of Educate yourselfOnline discussions quickly resurfaced around one of the webtoon’s most criticized story arcs. The controversy centers on a self-identified feminist teacher who is depicted as abusing her authority and ultimately subjected to a violent “discipline” by a male protagonist.
While supporters of the original work have argued that the character represents an extreme and violent individual rather than feminism itself, critics counter that the narrative strongly links her misconduct to her feminist identity. As a result, many fear that adapting the plot into a globally distributed mainstream Netflix drama could reinforce harmful stereotypes that paint feminists as radical, violent or hypocritical.
Korean netizens pointed out that feminism, in fact, encompasses a broad spectrum of movements that advocate for gender equality and human rights. They fear that international viewers unfamiliar with the Korean social context may interpret the fictional depiction as representative of feminism as a whole.
Reactions online have been sharply divided, with some commenters expressing disbelief that the project is moving forward despite past negative reactions, while others have criticized the creative decision and questioned the responsibility of those involved in the production.
- At first I thought “are they crazy?”but now I don’t think it’s that bad to immediately let foreigners know what Korea’s level is LOL.
- I thought they abandoned it after the previous controversy… Looks like they really are.
- As expected from the incel nation.
- The actors who have accepted this are so…
- It’s not this…
The controversy has also reignited broader debates about responsibility in adaptations. Critics argue that while the webtoon has long been polarizing due to its advocacy of violence as “education,” a live drama carries greater social responsibility, particularly when tackling sensitive topics like feminism.
At this time, Netflix has not released an official statement clarifying how closely the drama will follow the plot of the original webtoon or whether changes will be made to address audience concerns. With anticipation building before its release, scrutiny continues to intensify, as audiences watch closely to see whether the adaptation will address these criticisms or further inflame an already heated debate.
Sources: Theqoo
