A controversial webtoon-based drama about a romantic storyline between a female teacher and her elementary school student is drawing fierce backlash—this time, from Korea's largest teachers' union.
📣 KFTA Speaks Out Against 'My Beloved Student'
The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) released an official statement on July 1, urging a complete halt to the production and broadcast of the upcoming drama My Beloved Student. The series is based on a webtoon of the same name that originally aired on Naver Series.
The storyline follows a female teacher who develops romantic feelings for her own student—after first meeting him through an online game.
🚨 "This Isn't Romance, It's Grooming"
KFTA criticized the project harshly, stating, "Romanticizing a teacher using their position to engage in an emotional relationship with a minor student is nothing short of grooming, and cannot be passed off as a love story."
They added, "No artistic freedom can justify sexualizing children or eroding public trust in the teaching profession."
🎭 Psychological Risks for Child Actors
The union also raised concerns about the impact on child actors cast in such sensitive roles. "A project like this will inevitably cause psychological and emotional harm to the minors involved," the statement emphasized.
⚖️ Calls for Institutional Oversight
While acknowledging creative freedom, the KFTA maintained that some lines should not be crossed—especially when it comes to the portrayal of educators. Their demands included:
- Immediate cancellation of the drama production
- Strict review by the Korea Communications Standards Commission
- New safeguards to protect minors in the entertainment industry
🎬 Still in Pre-Production Phase
My Beloved Student is being directed by Jung Sung-hyun and written by Jung Se-hyuk. Broadcasting details, including platform and release date, have yet to be announced.
