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Netflix's Korean drama series "Cham Gyoyuk," starring Kim Mu-yeol, has topped the platform's global non-English show rankings.
According to Netflix's official Top 10 tracker Tudum, "Cham Gyoyuk" logged 6.4 million views — measured as total watch time divided by runtime — during the week of June 1 to 7, ranking first among all non-English shows.
The series cracked the Top 10 in 48 countries, including South Korea, the Philippines, Egypt, Turkey, Singapore and Argentina.
Forbes praised the show for its "tight script and strong entertainment value that draws viewers in deeply," adding that it "keeps you wondering what happens next." The business magazine called it "one of the best dramas of the year so far."
Released June 5, "Cham Gyoyuk" follows a fictional government agency called the Teachers' Rights Protection Bureau, established to defend South Korea's crumbling education system from students, teachers and parents who cross the line.
The original webtoon had drawn controversy over racial and gender discrimination in some episodes. After a live-action adaptation was confirmed, some actors publicly declined to appear in the production, and certain teachers' organizations called for it to be scrapped.
'A careful approach with a refined perspective'
At a press showcase held at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, Kim Mu-yeol described the series — making its debut amid public concern — as "a work that addresses difficult issues in an accessible way," calling it "a gift set that has everything: catharsis, humor and heart."
Kim said filming all 10 episodes felt "like shooting 10 completely different projects."
On the controversy and pressure surrounding the casting process, he said he tried "to focus more on what kind of work this is, rather than on the issues that caused the controversy," adding, "I tried to pour my sincerity into the performance. I hope viewers will recognize that sincerity when they watch."
Kim plays Na Hwa-jin, a bureau inspector who resolves various problems at schools in his own way. Lee Sung-min portrays Choi Gang-seok, the education minister who founded the bureau, while Jin Ki-joo and Pyo Ji-hun play inspector Im Han-rim, a former special forces soldier, and genius administrator Bong Geun-dae, respectively.
The controversial episodes and plot elements from the original webtoon were dropped during the adaptation process. Director Hong Jong-chan said he "fully understood the concerns about the source material" and tried to "approach it carefully with a refined perspective."
yul@heraldcorp.com
