Interview ①: Pyo Ji-hoon on 〈True Education〉: 'I'm Not Like Bong Geun-dae; I Speak Up When I See Students Smoking'

In 〈True Education〉, Bong Geun-dae emerges as an unlikely standout — a socially awkward genius whose growth gives the series some of its emotional balance. A genius who finished KAIST two years early yet often comes across as awkward and withdrawn, he provides a counterbalance among the series' stronger personalities. Early on, Bong keeps to himself and sticks to the duties assigned to him within the Teacher Protection Bureau. In the second half he steps in to protect a colleague during a critical moment. That layered arc for Bong Geun-dae became one of 〈True Education〉's central threads and added both depth and entertainment value to the drama. Actor Pyo Ji-hoon, who plays Bong Geun-dae in this series, has continued his acting career across television and film, from the drama 〈Good Partner〉 and 〈Hotel Del Luna〉 to the films 〈Heartman〉 and 〈New Normal〉. He has also approached stage acting with deep seriousness — so committed to theater that he founded a theater troupe and still appears regularly onstage. His portrayal of Bong Geun-dae appears to reflect the steady work Pyo has put into his craft. We spoke with actor Pyo Ji-hoon about the project and the character.

This was your first time working on an OTT series with 〈True Education〉, and it reached No. 1 on Netflix's global Top 10 within three days of release. The show has been getting strong reactions worldwide — how does that feel?

It feels great. I don't think I've fully absorbed it all yet, but I'm trying not to let a single day pass without appreciating it. I'm telling myself to enjoy this and not let the feeling slip away. The director and lead cast share screenshots and updates in a group chat, and we stay in close touch. We're happily following the reactions day by day.

Were there any viewer responses or phrases that stuck with you?

Comments like “This is the show I wanted” and “I was worried because of the original webtoon, but when I watched it those worries disappeared” made me really happy. It was especially meaningful when actual teachers told me they were grateful because the show felt like it spoke for them and gave them comfort. Hearing that was very moving.

I imagine friends and colleagues have been offering praise too. What did people close to you say?

They told me they really enjoyed it, and I appreciated that. Senior colleagues and friends Moon Se-yoon, Kim Ji-seok, Zico and Shin Dong-yup all said they had a great time watching. And Kim Shin-young told me she binge-watched the whole thing in one day.

What did Zico, who is in the same group Block B, say specifically?

He said it was so fun. He praised the veteran actors who appear episode to episode, and he said Kim Moo-yeol and Lee Sung-min were guiding the show really well. He even joked that he wanted a cameo in a project like this, so I told him not to say silly things. (laughs) He did add that if there is a season 2 and they need a cameo, to let him know.

Bong Geun-dae is an original character not in the source material, so you couldn't lean on an existing role. How did you prepare?

When I first got the script I hadn’t read the 〈True Education〉 webtoon, so I didn’t have that reference. Director Hong Jong-chan told me Bong Geun-dae was not in the original webtoon, which meant we had more room to imagine and create. That encouragement gave me the confidence to expand my ideas and bring the character to life.

Bong Geun-dae is a classic “nerd” type—smart and good with computers—but he’s also immature and timid. Did you use reference material, or did the role reflect your own personality?

I didn’t use any particular reference. Based on the director’s hints and the direction I prepared, I wanted to play him as someone who's just trying to do his job well. I aimed to show a man who shrinks back when facing kids who scare him—not to put on an exaggerated loser expression. I thought a natural approach would read truer for Bong Geun-dae.

I also don’t think the role mirrors my personality exactly. I’m the type who can’t stand injustice. If I see students smoking outside, I’ll go over and say, “Hey, adults come through here…” and speak up. So in that sense I’m different from Bong Geun-dae, but playing him helped me understand his point of view when he looks at those students and the problems they cause.

Bong Geun-dae seems to fill gaps that punishment alone can’t—when Na Hwa-jin (Kim Moo-yeol) and Im Han-lim (Jin Ki-joo) punish a perpetrator, Bong Geun-dae often helps the victim emotionally. How did you approach that side of the character?

I see Bong Geun-dae as someone who grows by observing how others treat students. He treats the Teacher Protection Bureau like a small society, so when he watches Hwa-jin and Han-lim interact with students or sees Kang Seok (Lee Sung-min) and Hwa-jin with each other, he learns from that. Because he’s timid and not good with words, he tends to approach things gently and cautiously. That restraint may read to viewers as kindness and care for the kids. But really, Bong Geun-dae is imitating the behavior he observes in Kang Seok, Hwa-jin and Han-lim.

At the start of the series Bong Geun-dae even asks for a transfer because the Teacher Protection Bureau is overwhelming, but by the end he has grown assertive enough to lead others. In many ways his arc represents the audience’s perspective: viewers initially watch the bureau with skepticism but eventually find themselves invested and empathizing. How did Bong Geun-dae fall into this work, and did you study the character’s development episode by episode?

I think Bong Geun-dae actually grows fond of the job faster than viewers might expect. I imagined him as someone who never experienced much stimulation from people outside his parents. In school he probably focused on studying rather than socializing, which explains why he finished KAIST early. He wanted to become a public servant, so he became one, but after work he went home, played games and didn’t hang out with anyone—no friends, no dating. Then in episode 2 he meets his friend Hyung-ju (Jeon Bong-seok), sees how the students at Guunha Hitech High School have changed, and later reconnects with those students and fits in. It’s like a baby tasting ice cream for the first time—a new experience that opens up new emotions and sensations. I tried to show that transformation. Those experiences are what spark his interest in the Teacher Protection Bureau.

▶ 〈True Education〉 Pyo Ji-hoon interview continues in Part 2.