Jeon Do-yeon, who raised her niece as her daughter, scandal with math instructor

《Kim Ji-won’s Net Reason》
Reporter Kim Ji-won of Ten Asia picks out only the essentials from OTT platforms such as Netflix and TVING, which are filled with tons of content. From must-see masterpieces to highly anticipated new works, we recommend works that you can enjoy in the first row of your room.

---

It is already known to the world that Korea has a unique passion for education. The reason why dramas and movies featuring private education and college entrance exams continue to appear is because it is a topic that Koreans can easily relate to. 'SKY Castle', which gained syndrome-like popularity by depicting the desires of parents and children for 'Sky', is a representative work. However, recently, a modified form that is not simply a subject of private education or entrance exams has been appearing. Composing a drama into a complex genre by mixing thriller, romance, and period drama. This is why viewers find it refreshing and fun even though it is a familiar topic.

'Ilta Scandal', which first aired on the 14th, immediately rose to first place in the drama TV topicality category within its first week of airing. It is also attracting attention, ranking first in TV daily and second in Netflix daily. The setting is a 'battlefield for private education', but one of the main plot points is a bickering romance between Nam Haeng-seon (played by Jeon Do-yeon), who raises his nephew as his daughter, and Choi Chi-yeol (played by Jeong Kyung-ho), who only likes the food from the side dish shop run by Nam Haeng-seon. It can be said to be a romantic comedy genre. Writer Yang Hee-seung, who wrote 'Ilta Scandal', said, "The unique romance between an Ilta instructor and a side dish store owner is at the center of a private education magazine set against the backdrop of entrance exams. It contains not only romance but also the joys and sorrows of students. Ultimately, it is a story about people's lives." emphasized.

'Shurup', which aired last year, was a work that gave a glimpse into the passion for education of a 'Chosun Dynasty mother'. It aroused interest by showing how Hwaryeong (Kim Hye-soo) and the concubines educate the princes. ‘Shuroop’ received a lot of attention from overseas as well, ranking third in the non-English TV category.

'Green Mothers Club', which contains the stories of parents of elementary school students, ranked first in the daily Netflix TV program category not only in Korea but also in Japan. 'Green Mothers Club' and Lee Yo-won ranked high in TV drama popularity and drama cast popularity rankings, respectively.

Korean society is as passionate about education as mothers' love for their children. We looked at works that use private education as a subject matter, allowing you to feel the 'hotness' while also enjoying the complex fun of combining several genres.‘Ilta Scandal’ (2023) | Netflix, TVING

'One-hit Scandal' is a drama depicting the bittersweet romance between a passionate side dish store owner and a math instructor who unfolds in the battlefield of private education.

Nam Haeng-seon (played by Jeon Do-yeon) gave up his career as a member of the national handball team and now runs a ‘national side dish store.’ The reason is to proudly raise her niece Nam Hae-i (played by Noh Yoon-seo) as her daughter. It is also to take care of his younger brother, Nam Jae-woo (played by Oh Eui-sik), who is unwell. Although Nam Hae-i is proud of his self-directed learning without any private education, Nam Hae-i actually wants to take Choi Chi-yeol's (Jung Kyung-ho) math lecture at the academy. Choi Chi-yeol is called the 'trillion won man' because the added value induced effect he creates every year creates an average of 1 trillion won in economic value per year. Nam Haeng-seon does not hesitate to rush to register for Choi Chi-yeol's class with instructor Choi Chi-yeol for Nam Hae-i, who had difficulty speaking, and also joins the SkyMomJunnet community where parents share information about entrance exams.

What makes it unique and different from other dramas with the theme of college entrance exams is that there is a romance between an Ilta instructor and a side dish store owner against the backdrop of a private education story. Rather than an ‘entrance exam war’, it is a ‘story of people’ who have something in common: entrance exams. The combination of Jeon Do-yeon, who shows positive and cheerful energy, and Jung Kyung-ho, who is prickly and sensitive, and the main character, who is 10 years younger than her, brings unexpectedness.‘Shuroop’ (2022) | Netflix, TVING

'Shurup' is a fusion historical drama depicting the turbulent struggles of royal concubines and concubines who engage in a fierce battle for royal education for troublemaker princes.

The main character, Hwaryeong, played by Kim Hye-soo, is a middle-class soldier who ‘runs with all her feet’ to discipline her five sons. The royal family trying to solidify the crown prince's position and the concubines ordering the princes to read the 'educational secrets' they have collected are not much different from the scenes of modern mothers who are fierce in the 'battle for information about entrance exams'. In addition, the maternal love of mothers who do not hesitate to sacrifice and sacrifice for their sons is touching.

In addition, 'Shurup' adds the story of the power struggle between the queen and queen, and the secret struggle in the palace, so you can feel the fun of a mystery drama.‘Green Mothers Club’ (2022) | Netflix, TVING

'Green Mothers Club' is a drama that depicts the bare face of the elementary school community represented by the 'Green Mothers' Association' and the dangerous network of relationships among parents in the neighborhood. It also criticizes the incorrect social trend that grades are the standard for judging a child.

'Green Mothers Club' was also said to be a genre close to a thriller. Provocative materials such as child abuse, false accusations of child molestation, death by jumping, distribution of narcotic drugs, and adultery appeared. Because of this, it was criticized for being as extreme as a daily drama.

There is also a scene in 'Green Mothers Club' where residents of an apartment complex worry about falling housing prices after hearing the news that gifted classes in elementary schools will be abolished. It also contains aspects of Korean society where the location of education determines real estate prices.

Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr