Kim Moo Yeol addresses casting controversy over ‘Teach You a Lesson’ and Kim Nam Gil’s withdrawal

Actor Kim Moo Yeol addressed the ongoing discussion surrounding the casting changes in the Netflix series 'Teach You a Lesson,' saying he feels uncomfortable and apologetic about continued references to Kim Nam Gil’s earlier involvement.

In an interview on June 12, Kim Moo Yeol spoke openly about the controversy tied to the production’s early casting process. Kim Nam Gil was initially cast in the lead role but eventually stepped down following public debate and fan opposition. The situation drew significant online attention, further amplified by Kim Nam Gil’s own social media remarks and later comments suggesting that avoiding projects that cause audience discomfort was the right decision. Kim Moo Yeol later took over the role of Na Hwa Jin, a director at the Teacher Rights Protection Bureau who resolves conflicts within school environments.

“I feel increasingly uncomfortable and sorry that Kim Nam Gil’s name keeps coming up,” Kim Moo Yeol said. “At this point, it feels a bit disrespectful.” He added that his personal interaction with Kim Nam Gil was limited to a brief greeting, but he has long respected the actor’s work. “His performance in the film The Shameless left a strong impression on me. I’ve often drawn inspiration from his acting, so I feel even more apologetic that this issue continues to be mentioned.”

Kim Moo Yeol also commented on casting practices in the industry, noting that he has frequently not been the first-choice actor for roles he has taken. “Honestly, there were many times I wasn’t the first choice in casting. In that sense, I viewed this situation as part of a normal casting process and approached it accordingly.”

He added that concerns about the project were carefully considered throughout production. “From the beginning, the director and production team were very aware of potential concerns. Even during filming and editing, we constantly checked whether we were staying on the right track.”

Based on a webtoon by Chae Yong Taek and Han Ga Ram, 'Teach You a Lesson' portrays the work of the Teacher Rights Protection Bureau, which confronts extreme behavior from students, parents, and teachers in the education system. The series stars Lee Sung Min, Jin Ki Joo, and P.O. (Pyo Ji Hoon), and is directed by Hong Jong Chan, known for 'Juvenile Justice' and 'Mr. Plankton.'

The series was released on Netflix on June 5.