The drama adaptation of 'The Elementary Schooler I Love,' a webtoon criticized for allegedly glamorizing grooming crimes, has been officially canceled amid widespread public controversy.
On July 3, StarNews reported that plans to produce a drama based on the contentious webtoon have been definitively halted due to the backlash over its portrayal of a romantic relationship between a female elementary school teacher and her student.
Production company Meta New Line told StarNews that they have taken recent societal concerns seriously and have decided to suspend all planning and production of the drama adaptation based on 'The Elementary Schooler I Love.'
They added that they sincerely apologize to the original author for any renewed burden this situation may cause regarding the 2015 work. They humbly accept the changing social sensitivities and will strive to approach future projects with greater caution and responsibility to create healthy and meaningful content.
'The Elementary Schooler I Love' originally ran from 2015 to 2020. The story centers on a female elementary school teacher who, after a breakup, becomes attracted to a character she meets in an online game. She later discovers that the character is actually her own student.
The announcement of the drama adaptation on June 27 by the webtoon’s original platform C&C Revolution and production company Meta New Line quickly drew criticism. The storyline, depicting a romantic tension between a teacher and a minor student, was seen by many as problematic and inappropriate.
The statement said that teachers must uphold high moral and professional standards while maintaining a trustful relationship with their students. It added that any narrative involving a teacher exploiting their position to develop a romantic relationship with a minor is a clear glorification of grooming crimes, which cannot be excused as romance or fantasy.
The association further condemned the work for sexualizing children under the pretext of creative freedom. They warned that such content damages the reputation of educators and undermines public trust in the education system.
Following the backlash, major platforms including Naver Series, KakaoPage, and Ridibooks have suspended the webtoon’s distribution. Facing mounting criticism, Meta New Line ultimately decided to cancel the drama adaptation altogether.
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