In episode 4 of Teach You A Lesson, the ERPB team is faced with another intriguing investigation, this time involving a complex case of academic corruption, privilege and abuse of power. At first it looks like a run-of-the-mill assault. But there is a very dark truth inside the walls of one of the most prestigious schools in the country.
The episode begins with Gang-seok and the ERPB facing political pressure. As the attacks against the bureau continue, a new case rises up from Chukmyeong Foreign Language High School when a video of a student assaulting a respected teacher is caught.
Cheon Sang-yeol, a famous teacher. His students admire him, other teachers respect him and even Hwa-jin seems grateful for the guidance he had from the teacher’s online lectures in the past. This reputation makes the attack seem all the more out of character.
The student in question, Park Hyeon-ung, refuses to defend himself. He gives no explanation when questioned again and again, and takes whatever punishment may be meted out to him. His silence only adds to the mystery, especially when the team discovers he’s one of the school’s top students.
As the investigation continues, different stories start coming out. Mr Cheon said he only tried to help students who were having trouble with extra classes and he cannot understand why Hyeon-ung suddenly turned on him. But Hyeon-ung paints a very different picture.
The student said Mr. Cheon systematically interfered with his life. The parents’ restaurant had to close down shortly after the teacher came to visit their family. His private tutor also unexpectedly terminated his tutoring engagement. Hyeon-ung comes to believe that Mr. Cheon has been sabotaging him in the background.
The disagreement breeds tension within the ERPB itself. Mr. Cheon seems to be taking Han-rim’s side and he starts to question Hwa-jin’s judgement. The growing mistrust is one of the episode’s most powerful emotional conflicts, as Han-rim wonders if her mentor is ignoring obvious warning signs.
Geun-de, meanwhile, quietly traces Mr. Cheon’s connections beyond the school. His investigation reveals several suspicious connections to wealthy families and elite schools. Meanwhile, flashbacks reveal how Hwa-jin once helped her survive severe bullying in her school days, giving viewers a glimpse into Han-rim’s past.
The investigation finally reveals a disturbing pattern. Hyeon-ung, who has none of their advantages, always defeats them. Hwa-jin starts to think that some wealthy parents are manipulating the school system to protect their children’s rankings.
His suspicion turns immediately to a fellow student, Jung Su-jeong who would benefit by Hyeon-ung’s ousting from the competition. The more Hwa-jin digs, the more it reveals Mr. Cheon’s years of abuse of his position.
The truth comes out when a private meeting between Mr. Cheon and Su-jeong’s mother reveals their scheme. The teacher secretly provides exam answers and helps powerful families maintain their children’s marks in exchange for financial gains.
But before the team could make a move the ERPB was hit by a coordinated assault. Gang-seok is accused of political offenses and tax-related issues, and Hwa-jin and Han-rim are taken into custody on charges from previous investigations. The timing, of course, made it perfectly clear that somebody wanted to keep the bureau occupied until the school examinations were over.
But fortunately the ERPB had been expecting trouble.
An operation is well planned during the exam period. When Geun-de learns that the answer key was leaked, he secretly switches the exam papers. So the answers memorized by Su-jeong become completely useless.
His panic makes Mr. Cheon’s sudden attempt to stop the examination suspicious immediately. Hwa-jin and Han-rim have a mountain of evidence to confront him with, including proof of bribery and recordings of his illegal arrangement with Su-jeong’s mother.
The scheme is soon busted. Su-jeong is caught cheating, the bribery ring is exposed, and Mr. Cheon’s long history of corruption is finally brought to light.
Gang-seok meanwhile uses the Board of Education meeting to unmask not only Mr. Cheon but also the powerful backers and beneficiaries of the corruption. His speech is a powerful reminder of the purpose of the ERPB, which is to protect victims, whether they are students or teachers.
By the end of the episode, Mr. Cheon is arrested, rich parents involved in the scandal are under investigation and Hyeon-ung finally gets justice. One of the most emotional moments of the episode is when Hwa-jin confronts the disgraced teacher with Ye-ri, one of his victims, whose future was ruined by his greed and manipulation.# Review of the Episode
Episode 4 does a good job of keeping viewers on their toes as to where Hwa-jin really stands. He seems to have fallen for Mr. Cheon’s elaborate facade for a good chunk of the episode. This misdirection makes the eventual reveal even more satisfying.
The episode’s best feature is the way it handles educational inequality. It exposes the reality that a system that is supposed to be fair can be swayed and abused by money and power , and to the advantage of the privileged students , and to the detriment of the students who work hard .
Han-rim is also growing in meaningful ways. The flashbacks about her relationship with Hwa-jin add emotional depth and help to explain why his apparent support of Mr. Cheon hits so hard.
Geun-de is still one of the most lovable characters in the show. It’s great to see him bonding with the ERPB team and his meetings with former classmates suggest a lingering loneliness that adds another dimension to his character.
The political story line is interesting too. Gang-seok’s enemies look more keen to dismantle the ERPB, suggesting there are bigger secrets to be revealed. If this episode is anything to go by, the war against corruption has only begun.
All in all, Episode 4 is a mix of mystery, emotional moments for the characters and a satisfying takedown of a corrupt authority figure to make it one of the stronger episodes of the season so far.