In his portrayal of the villain Cho Gyu Cheol, the actor impressed with his performance, contributing to the appeal of the drama which revolves around the dark underbelly of the Korean education system.
Released on Netflix on June 5th, the series Teach You a Lesson quickly became a hot topic of discussion, thanks to its exploration of pressing issues within the South Korean education system.
Just three days after its release, the show garnered 6.4 million views and rose to the number one spot on the platform's global ranking of most-watched non-English language television programs.
Teach You a Lesson revolves around the activities of the Education Rights Protection Bureau – an organization established to restore order in the context of the increasingly complex problems facing Korean schools, from school violence and student extremism to pressure from teachers and parents. Besides the plot, the villainous character Cho Gyu Cheol, played by actor Lee Bong Jun, is also a noteworthy highlight.
In the story, Cho Gyu Cheol appears as a recently pardoned convict returning to Jinwon High School. Initially, he gives the impression of being genuinely remorseful and eager to turn his life around after past mistakes. However, as the story progresses, viewers realize that behind his calm exterior lies a completely different person.
Cho Gyu Cheol gradually emerges as a crucial link connecting a series of events throughout the drama, and simultaneously becomes the mastermind behind the serious incident. As the plot unfolds, this character is involved in numerous illegal activities, from school violence to illegal drug trafficking.
Many Korean viewers and media outlets praised Lee Bong Jun for his convincing portrayal of the character's complex psychological transformation.
The actor chose not to portray a simple villain, but rather a contradictory, unpredictable character who gradually slides down a path of self-destruction. The shifts between innocence and cold cruelty make it impossible for viewers to predict the character's next move.
In particular, the confrontation between Cho Gyu Cheol and Inspector Na Hwa Jin, played by actor Kim Moo Yeol, is considered the most tense and memorable segment of the film. The contrast between the two characters contributes to raising the pace and emotion of the story, while also giving Lee Bong Jun more opportunities to showcase the depth of his acting.
Lee Bong Jun (born in 1995) began his musical theater career with the play Jesus in 2020, before gradually establishing his name through works such as Werther and Bad Magnet .
Currently, the actor continues his stage activities with the musical Mad Hatter . Alongside his stage work, Lee Bong Jun is also gradually expanding his activities into television. After his first appearance on the small screen in Youth of May ( 2021), he has continued to participate in many projects such as Alchemy of Souls, Chief Detective 1958, The Witch, Resident Playbook , etc.
Following the positive reception of "Teach You a Lesson ," more and more viewers are interested in Lee Bong Jun's next steps. His role as Cho Gyu Cheol not only helped him reach a wider audience but is also considered a significant milestone in his acting career.