Production of the upcoming drama based on the webtoon My Beloved Elementary Student has been officially halted following public outcry over its controversial premise involving a romantic relationship between a female teacher and her elementary school student.

🚫 Production Called Off After Public Backlash

On July 4, production company Meta New Line issued an official statement:

"We take the recent public concerns very seriously. After careful consideration, we've decided to cancel all planning and production related to the drama adaptation of My Beloved Elementary Student."

📚 The Original Webtoon Sparks Uproar

The webtoon, first published in 2015, drew fresh criticism when news broke that it would be turned into a drama. Many pointed out that the storyline could be interpreted as romanticizing child grooming, leading to widespread backlash.

🗣️ Public Apology and Reflection

Meta New Line added:

"We sincerely apologize to the original author for unintentionally causing further controversy. We accept society's evolving sensitivity and values with humility."

"This experience has taught us to be more cautious and responsible. We are committed to creating meaningful and healthy content moving forward."

📖 Problematic Plotline Under Fire

The plot centers on a female elementary school teacher who unknowingly falls for her student in an online game, only to later discover the player is her real-life student. Critics argue this is inappropriate and sends dangerous messages.

📢 Educators and Platforms Take a Stand

Major educational organizations, including the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations and the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, publicly condemned the adaptation and demanded its cancellation.

Meanwhile, platforms like Naver Webtoon, KakaoPage, Kyobo Bookstore, and RIDIBOOKS have suspended sales of the original webtoon.