The Korean webtoon Get Schooled has sparked major discussions in Japan, reaching the No.1 overall ranking on LINE Manga. While Japanese readers praise its powerful sense of justice and cathartic action scenes, the story also touches on the sensitive issue of corporal punishment, which Japan has legally banned. This duality creates both excitement and controversy among audiences.
What Is Get Schooled?
Get Schooled is a Korean webtoon published in a vertical scrolling format. Its story unfolds in schools that have lost discipline after the introduction of laws banning corporal punishment. Teachers lose authority, while violence and misconduct spread. The protagonist, a supervisor from the “Educational Rights Protection Bureau,” enters the scene to restore order by delivering justice through force.
The series is built on a clear good-versus-evil structure, which resonates with readers seeking catharsis. While it tackles the sensitive issue of corporal punishment, it reframes it as entertainment. After becoming a massive hit in Korea, the series was released in Japan on LINE Manga, quickly winning the hearts of Japanese readers.
Popularity and Reception in Japan
In Japan, Get Schooled reached the No.1 overall ranking on LINE Manga, gaining explosive popularity in a short time. Readers highly praised the protagonist’s strong sense of justice and the powerful punishment scenes, often describing the work as “refreshing to read.” For many who experience daily frustrations, the story functions as a stress reliever.
However, Japan has a history of corporal punishment becoming a major social issue. This makes the evaluation more complex: some readers say, “It would never be acceptable in reality, but it’s fun as fiction,” while others caution, “It looks like it justifies corporal punishment.” As a result, the evaluation in Japan is deeply divided between those who enjoy it as entertainment and those who raise ethical concerns.
Summary of Evaluation Points
| Evaluation Aspect | Positive Reactions | Negative Reactions |
|---|---|---|
| Protagonist’s Sense of Justice | “It feels good to see wrongdoers punished.” | “Dangerous mindset if applied in real life.” |
| Action Scenes | “Cinematic and powerful.” | “Too violent and brutal.” |
| Social Commentary | “Realistic depiction of education problems.” | “Could be seen as glorifying corporal punishment.” |
As the table shows, the same elements are interpreted differently depending on the reader’s background. Because corporal punishment is a sensitive issue in Japan, the story inevitably sparks debate.
Japanese Culture and the Context of Corporal Punishment
In Japan, corporal punishment became a major public issue in the 1980s and 1990s. High-profile cases led to widespread condemnation, and the Ministry of Education firmly declared that “corporal punishment is not education.” Since then, violence in schools has been strictly banned. Today, if a teacher is caught using corporal punishment, they face severe penalties such as suspension or dismissal.
As a result, Japanese readers interpret the punishments in Get Schooled not as a realistic educational method, but as a fictional form of entertainment. This reflects a broader trait of Japanese manga culture: even actions that are unacceptable in real life can be embraced as symbolic acts of justice when presented in fiction.
Key Points for Foreign Readers
For foreign readers, it is important to understand the Japanese social context when evaluating Get Schooled. The following points are essential:
| Key Point | Explanation |
|---|---|
| History of Banning Corporal Punishment | In Japan, corporal punishment is legally banned and not accepted in education. |
| Entertainment vs. Reality | The punishments are not taken as “real education” but as fictional performance. |
| Shared Traits with Korea | Both societies are highly education-oriented, making school-based stories resonate widely. |
Understanding these points helps foreign readers grasp why Get Schooled has been popular in Japan despite its controversial theme.
Characteristics of Japanese Readers
Different demographics in Japan respond to the series in distinct ways.
| Reader Group | Traits |
|---|---|
| Younger Readers (Teens to 20s) | Relate to the school setting and enjoy its action-oriented style. |
| Working Adults (30s to 40s) | Read it as stress relief, enjoying the “punishment of evil.” |
| Educators and Parents | View it as a commentary on educational issues, but remain cautious about depictions of corporal punishment. |
This shows that younger readers focus on action and catharsis, while older readers may pay more attention to its social themes.
Conclusion
Get Schooled is a Korean webtoon that has also achieved high popularity in Japan. Despite its heavy theme of corporal punishment, Japanese audiences enjoy it as fictional entertainment rather than endorsing violence in real education. The protagonist’s strong sense of justice and thrilling action scenes provide catharsis, but the work also sparks ethical debate.
For foreign readers, the most important point is that Japan strictly rejects corporal punishment in reality, and that the popularity of Get Schooled lies in its function as entertainment, not as a reflection of actual educational practice. In Japan, the series is appreciated as a symbolic story of “justice crushing evil,” not as a guide to education.
