On February 22, 2026, viewers of the new tvN variety show After School Teacher (방과후 태리쌤) were treated to a unique blend of celebrity candor and heartfelt mentorship as actor Kim Tae-ri, alongside a close-knit team, stepped into the world of after-school theater at a rural elementary school facing closure. The show’s premiere episode offered not only a glimpse into the personal quirks of its stars but also a touching look at the bonds that can form in the most unexpected places.
Kim Tae-ri, best known for her acclaimed roles in film and television, took on a new kind of role as she joined Choi Hyun-wook, Kangnam, and Code Kunst to lead after-school theater classes at Yongheung Elementary School. The school, threatened with closure due to dwindling enrollment, became the backdrop for this experiment in creative education and community spirit.
The episode opened with a refreshingly unguarded moment as Kim Tae-ri faced the morning cameras—bare-faced and still shaking off sleep. According to Newsen, she glanced at the kitchen camera and joked, “Isn’t this camera’s quality a bit poor?” When the camera responded with a playful shake, she realized, to her horror, that it was actually high-definition. Her reaction was pure comedy: she gasped, covered her face, and darted away, leaving the crew and viewers alike in stitches. It was a rare and relatable glimpse of vulnerability from a star more often seen in carefully curated roles.
But the show didn’t just stop at laughs. As the morning unfolded, Kim Tae-ri’s everyday side came to the fore. Her makeup routine was put on display for all to see—no glamour, just the practical swipes of a cushion compact and a candid focus on taming her famously thick hair with a battery of products. The audience got to see the actor as a real person, someone who fusses over her appearance just like anyone else. This openness set the tone for the rest of the episode, which would go on to highlight genuine relationships and honest communication.
One of the most anticipated arrivals at the school was Choi Hyun-wook, who joined as an assistant teacher. Fans of the drama Twenty-Five Twenty-One will recognize the chemistry between Kim Tae-ri and Choi, who have maintained a close senior-junior relationship since co-starring in the hit series. As reported by Seoul List, Choi’s entrance was met with an enthusiastic hug from Kim, underlining the warmth and camaraderie that defines their friendship.
Their relationship, it turns out, is built on mutual respect and a willingness to be honest—even blunt—with one another. Kim Tae-ri, in a conversation with the show’s producers, confessed that she had sometimes been a “strict senior” to Choi, often offering unsolicited advice. “I used to give him a lot of advice,” she admitted, “but I was really happy that he was grateful for it.” For his part, Choi described Kim as “the only person to whom I can really open my heart.” He added, “I’ve never received advice like hers before.”
Their dynamic was on full display during a meeting with the theater club. When Kim Tae-ri began delegating tasks, Choi didn’t hesitate to push back, saying, “I wish there was a day when you did everything, just once. I want you to be so tired that you cry.” The exchange, while lighthearted, revealed a relationship built on trust and the freedom to speak openly—a rarity in the hierarchical world of Korean entertainment. When asked if he always did what Kim said, Choi laughed, “Not really. I say what I need to say.”
Behind the scenes, the show’s premise is rooted in a real challenge facing many rural schools in South Korea: declining student numbers and the threat of closure. Yongheung Elementary, like many others, has struggled to keep its doors open as families migrate to urban centers. The decision to bring in celebrities to lead after-school programs is part of a broader effort to inject new energy and attract attention to these at-risk institutions. By focusing on theater—a discipline that demands both creativity and collaboration—the program aims to give students experiences they might otherwise miss out on, while also shining a spotlight on the value of arts in education.
For Kim Tae-ri and her team, the assignment was more than just a television gig. It was a chance to connect with children, share their love of performance, and perhaps, in some small way, help secure the future of a struggling school. The episode captured moments of laughter and chaos, but also quieter scenes of preparation and encouragement as the stars worked with the students to stage their own theatrical production. The blend of celebrity presence and genuine mentorship created an atmosphere that was both entertaining and inspiring.
As the show aired, viewers responded with enthusiasm to the authenticity on display. Social media buzzed with praise for Kim Tae-ri’s willingness to appear without makeup and her unfiltered interactions with both students and colleagues. Many noted that the show felt different from standard variety fare, thanks to its focus on real challenges and relationships rather than manufactured drama.
The chemistry between Kim Tae-ri and Choi Hyun-wook, in particular, struck a chord. Their easy banter and mutual support offered a model of friendship that resonated with viewers. It’s not every day that a star admits to being embarrassed on national television, or that a junior openly tells his senior to take on more of the workload. Their dynamic, rooted in honesty and affection, provided some of the episode’s most memorable moments.
Of course, the show is not without its lighter side. Kim Tae-ri’s playful attempts to dodge the camera, her candid beauty routine, and the cast’s collective efforts to wrangle a group of energetic elementary students all contributed to the program’s charm. But beneath the surface, After School Teacher is also a story about community, resilience, and the power of the arts to bring people together—even in the face of adversity.
As the series continues, audiences will be watching to see how the students grow under the guidance of their celebrity mentors and whether the spotlight can help secure a future for Yongheung Elementary. For now, Kim Tae-ri and her team have already succeeded in delivering something rare: a variety show that’s as heartfelt as it is entertaining, and a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful connections are forged when the cameras catch us at our most unguarded.