'The Worst of Evil' Hits Global Top 3, No. 1 in 25 Countries

The Netflix series 'The Bequeathed' ranked 3rd globally in Netflix's TV Shows category just three days after its release. This is a two-step increase from its previous 5th place ranking on the 6th. 'The Bequeathed' secured the No. 1 spot in a total of 25 countries, including South Korea. It also entered the Top 10 in the United States (9th place) and reached the Top 5 in countries like France, Germany, and Spain. It debuted at No. 2 in Japan.

'The Bequeathed' tells the story of the satisfying and refreshing "true education" delivered by the Ministry of Teacher Protection, an organization established to protect the authority and educational environment in South Korea, which has been collapsing due to students, teachers, and parents who cross the line. The series is directed by Hong Jong-chan and written by Lee Nam-gyu, starring actors Kim Mu-yeol, Lee Sung-min, Jin Ki-joo, and Pyo Ji-hoon. Each episode deals with a new case.

While the series is based on a webtoon of the same name, controversial elements from the original, such as student corporal punishment, gender discrimination, and racial discrimination, were adapted. All scenes that could cause discomfort were removed, and new content was added. Director Hong Jong-chan acknowledged concerns about the original work, stating, "We tried to create a good story with a refined and careful perspective."

The Korean Teachers and Educational Workers' Union (KTU) expressed empathy for the school issues raised in 'The Bequeathed', commenting that "it aligns with the sense of the problem." The KTU evaluated the drama, stating that while it raises concerns about school violence and private enforcement, it "unflinchingly exposed the dark side of the educational field, including the reality of collapsing classrooms, the severe infringement of teacher authority by some out-of-control students, and the despair of teachers whose hands are tied by malicious complaints."

'The Bequeathed' has been praised for skillfully blending fantasy and reality. It depicts the struggles of the fictional 'Ministry of Teacher Protection' to restore teacher authority in the face of school violence, cyberbullying, gambling, and drug problems. Director Hong Jong-chan offers a clear-eyed look at the realities of South Korean education while simultaneously delivering a sense of catharsis by restoring collapsed teacher authority through a blend of action and comedy within a fantasy setting. The script, which maintains a warm sensibility and humor by writer Lee Nam-gyu, and the actors' performances are also receiving positive reviews.