"It's okay, let's try again." What "Education Reform" Left with Kim Mu-yeol [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Education Reform," which has become a hot topic amid its global box office success, centers on actor Kim Mu-yeol. He noted that the line "let's try again" from the series left a deep impression, and that his character "Na Hwa-jin" also offered him great comfort.

"Education Reform" is a Netflix series depicting the bold activities of the School Authority Protection Bureau, which stands on the side of victims to correct schools. Kim Mu-yeol played the role of Na Hwa-jin, a sharp-witted inspector of the School Authority Protection Bureau.

"Education Reform" ranked first among the global Top 10 non-English shows in its second week of release. It topped the charts in 46 countries, including South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Additionally, it appeared on the Top 10 lists in a total of 91 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, France, Germany, Australia, Mexico, and Brazil. Kim Mu-yeol's personal social media followers also surpassed 1 million.

Regarding the global popularity of "Education Reform," Kim Mu-yeol stated, "I am first and foremost very happy and grateful, yet I am also feeling the weight and seriousness of it. I am reflecting once again on the stories we wanted to tell."

He also shared memorable reactions. He said, "Shortly after the release, a teacher from Malaysia sent me a direct message. They expressed their agreement with the content and said they were moved and comforted. They also expressed a strong wish for a second season. I was surprised when I saw that message early on. We started with the hope that we would create something carefully and diligently that people would enjoy, but it was surprising that it resonated even across borders. I was especially happy that someone in the teaching profession responded positively."

John Cena, a Hollywood actor and former professional wrestler, posted a single photo of Kim Mu-yeol on his social media account, which has 21.31 million followers, without any additional comment.

Kim Mu-yeol expressed his fandom, saying, "I was originally a fan of WWF (now WWE). I even hung posters of Hulk Hogan from his champion days and read magazines." He continued, "I felt the same way when John Cena was active in WWE, and as an actor, I watched him closely. I sensed that he is not just entertaining but also a person with deep and broad thoughts. He seemed like someone without prejudice and effortlessly fun, which made me like him."

He added, "He personally posted my photo on social media, which made me think a lot. I also struggled with whether I should post his photo. After worrying about how to convey my gratitude, I left a comment."

Regarding his decision to appear in "Education Reform," Kim Mu-yeol said that his trust in director Hong Jong-chan, with whom he had worked on "Juvenile Justice," played a major role. He stated, "I liked that they presented a difficult story in a way that anyone could watch without difficulty. Above all, my trust in Director Hong Jong-chan was great."

He further explained, "While working on 'Juvenile Justice,' I became interested in juvenile crime. Previously, I viewed it from a somewhat distant perspective, but through this work, I had the opportunity to look more closely at that reality."

He recalled, "When preparing for 'Juvenile Justice,' I personally observed trials and watched the trial process. I also interviewed juvenile court judges, which was a great learning experience as an actor. In the process of dealing with juvenile crime, the director approached the subject very carefully and sensitively. I was deeply impressed by his effort not to miss even the subtle emotional lines of the characters."

He then said, "I thought I really wanted to work with the director again, and I believed that if we worked together, we could solve difficult problems well."

He also mentioned, "Since 'Education Reform' is a work that covers 10 episodes, I had a desire to tell a story that was more sensitive and deeper than my previous work. The director shared the same passion. There were moments during filming when I felt tired or doubtful, but every time, seeing the director's unwavering passion, I was able to follow along happily."

He added, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the director. The production team that worked on 'Juvenile Justice' participated as is, which further strengthened my trust."

"Education Reform" is a drama based on a webtoon of the same name. The webtoon faced controversy from the production stage for glorifying corporal punishment and violence in schools and using racist and hateful expressions.

He also spoke about the controversy over student corporal punishment that had been raised even before the work's release. He said, "I was fully aware of the concerns regarding that part. As Director Hong Jong-chan also mentioned, we made efforts to handle it carefully with the most refined perspective."

He further explained, "I hope viewers see the corporal punishment in the work as a device. The story does not end with the act of corporal punishment itself; we created the work with the hope that viewers would think about what remains afterward."

Kim Mu-yeol deeply immersed himself in the narrative of "Na Hwa-jin." He said, "After raising a child, I realized that discipline is ultimately a process of teaching what one does not know, not an act of involving emotions. 'Na Hwa-jin' joins the School Authority Protection Bureau after losing his fiancée, but throughout the episodes, he is suspected of seeking personal revenge."

He continued, "I thought that 'Na Hwa-jin's' narrative is ultimately completed by forgiving Cho Gyu-cheol (played by Lee Bong-jun), who killed his fiancée. He sought to solve the problem through the method of 'teaching.' The story I really wanted to tell was 'It's okay, let's try again.' That is also the story of 'Na Hwa-jin's' future as I see it."

Regarding why "Education Reform" and the character "Na Hwa-jin" within it have received so much love, Kim Mu-yeol first credited the actors and staff who created the work together.

He said, "I find myself wondering why people are enjoying it so much. In fact, it was a work that started cautiously amidst various worries and concerns. But as those feelings turned into positive energy, I was able to devote my whole heart to the filming."

He added, "One of the decisive reasons was the actors we worked with. The actors appearing in each episode came to the set with dreams, hopes, and passion, and a natural atmosphere of everyone trying to do well together was created. It wasn't just the actors; the staff also approached the work with one heart."

He also emphasized the unique teamwork on set, saying, "When working on a project, I sometimes think, 'Is my passion too much?' or 'Am I the only one who is sincere?' But with this work, I had no such worries at all."

Regarding viewers' reactions, he said, "Reading reviews and reactions makes me think again about the work. I believe that a work is only truly completed when it meets the audience and viewers. We do not present a finished product; rather, the audience and viewers complete the work for us."

He added, "As time passes, I will also view the work from the perspective of a viewer and a third party. I am prepared to accept any criticism or pointed remarks about our shortcomings. I will also try to look at any criticism by considering the reasons behind such reactions."

When asked what meaning "Education Reform" and Na Hwa-jin will leave with him, Kim Mu-yeol pointed to the line from the work: "Let's try again."

He said, "As an actor, I have experienced countless trials and errors, setbacks, joy, and sadness. The line 'let's try again' is a line spoken to 'Gyu-cheol' in the drama, and also a line spoken to 'Na Hwa-jin' himself, but at some point, it felt like a message being conveyed to the human Kim Mu-yeol."

He then expressed his affection, saying, "Perhaps because I have become a parent, it touched me more emotionally than ever before. I think Na Hwa-jin will remain a character who gave me great comfort for a long time."

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*This content was translated by AI.