Jin Ki-joo Defends 'Teach You a Lesson' Romance Arc With Pyo Ji-hoon

An actor in the Netflix series Teach You a Lesson, Jin Ki-joo, is addressing viewer criticism regarding her character’s late-series romance, explaining that the pairing was never intended to be a conventional love story.

Jin recently sat down for an interview at a cafe in Seoul's Samcheong-dong neighborhood to discuss the show, which is directed by Hong Jong-chan. Teach You a Lesson follows a teachers' rights protection unit that steps in to defend victims and restore order in schools. Jin stars as Lim Han-rim, a supervisor within the unit.

In the latter half of the series, Lim develops a subtle romantic connection with Bong Geun-dae, played by Pyo Ji-hoon. The plot point drew mixed reactions online. Some viewers felt the pairing came out of nowhere, given that the show focuses heavily on grim social issues like school violence and the erosion of teachers' authority—and neither character had previously shown any interest in dating. Online comments ranged from "it lacked believability" to questions about whether the storyline was necessary at all.

Jin, however, views the arc differently. "Neither of them is the type to be easily swayed by romance or rush into a relationship," she said. "But that's exactly why I think their dynamic is charming."

She also framed the storyline less as a romance and more as a vehicle for character growth. "Lim Han-rim is someone who is laser-focused on Na Hwa-jin within the unit, while Bong Geun-dae is the type who is just eager to leave the office the minute his shift ends," she explained. "I think the storyline shows how they slowly find their footing within the team. On the job, they are sharp and precise. Outside of work, the romance allows them to just be ordinary people leaning on each other. I saw it as a device to show that side of them."

The debate surrounding the arc highlights a broader challenge facing K-dramas that blend heavy social commentary with personal storylines. As Korean series lean further into workplace and procedural formats, the industry continues to test how much room there is for romance—and whether audiences will accept it.