'The Real Class' Shines With 'Real Villain' Quartet

The Netflix series 'Duty After School' is contributing to its global success by providing viewers with catharsis through the satisfying punishment of villains in each episode. The drama is structured with a new villain appearing each week, centered around the Teacher Protection Bureau, heightening the tension. In particular, Park Seo-yun, Park Ji-yeon, Lee Bong-jun, and Kim Jae-seon are receiving rave reviews for their divine acting skills, provoking viewers' anger.

Park Seo-yun played Han Ye-ri, the central figure in the third episode's 'Soyeon High School Incident.' She portrayed a shameless character who traps a teacher in trouble with false evidence, gaslights them, and even frames them as a sexual offender, leading to their death. She also chillingly depicted the complex narrative of a victim of school violence transforming into a perpetrator, eliciting complaints from viewers like, "Please act a little less intensely." Park Seo-yun is an already prepared actress who won the 'Actor of the Year' award at the Busan International Film Festival for the film 'Humming,' and through 'Duty After School,' she has once again proven her acting prowess.

In the fifth episode, Park Ji-yeon took on the role of 'Woojin's Mom,' armed with misguided maternal love, showcasing the epitome of an overzealous parent. Her chilling madness, involving monitoring the teacher, spreading false information, and even resorting to a lawsuit for 'emotional child abuse,' resonated with reality, drawing great indignation from viewers. The scene where she breaks down in front of her son's confession left a deep impression, and Super Junior's Kim Heechul, impressed by her performance, left a comment on social media saying, "I watched it well, cursing a lot."

Lee Bong-jun played Jo Gyu-cheol, a paroled convict who re-enrolled in Jinwon High School, serving as the main villain who spans the beginning and end of the story. He portrayed a malicious character who kills a humane teacher, pretends to repent after serving time in prison, manipulates students who committed school violence, and distributes drugs to students. He perfectly portrayed the contrast between his seemingly repentant demeanor and the madness revealed when he drops the pretense, announcing the birth of a new high school villain based on his experience in musicals and dramas.

Kim Jae-seon played Lee Chi-ho, who is manipulated by Jo Gyu-cheol. He densely depicted the duality of a cunning and despicable perpetrator who leads new forms of school violence, yet crumbles before a greater evil. He uncomfortably naturally portrayed the pure laughter when bullying Jeong Seong-gu and his hypocritical attitude of draining him from behind. Based on his solid foundation built through theater, he is an actor whose future activities are highly anticipated, having taken on significant roles in future Netflix productions.