There’s a Korean drama currently on Netflix that has drawn public attention by addressing the problems within the education system. Titled *True Education (literal translation of the Korean title)*, the drama depicts the process by which a newly established government agency—the Office of Teacher Authority—reforms the education system by tackling issues such as school bullying, violence against teachers, excessive parental interference, and gang-like organizational structures within schools.
Curious about the literal meaning behind the drama’s title, I decided to look into it.
In “True Education,” “true” (참) is a native Korean word meaning “genuine” or “correct.” “Education” (교육) refers to the act of teaching and nurturing. Upon analyzing the text in more detail, I found the following meaning:
“It genuinely helps children emulate adults, awaken their wisdom, and mature into true human beings. If a child strays from the right path, they are guided through appropriate discipline.”
As you can see, the original meaning conveyed by the title is very similar to the behavior exhibited by the team members in the drama. They do not merely serve as role models; when necessary, they guide the children and also administer discipline. This is akin to a carefully calibrated balance between maintaining clarity, providing a systematic structure, and giving people a sense of safety and acceptance, while at the same time imposing appropriate consequences for undesirable behavior.
As we saw earlier when examining the literal meaning behind, teachers, coaches, and parents must, above all else, demonstrate behavior and attitudes that students and children can emulate. In other words, before becoming role models for others, adults need to first discover their true selves and focus on personal growth and moral values.
Only when adults serve as role models can children awaken their own wisdom and grow into true human beings.
Black Dragon & Phoenix