On the afternoon of February 22, 2026, the usually quiet halls of a small elementary school facing closure were filled with a rare buzz of anticipation. The occasion? The debut episode of tvN’s new variety show, After School Teacher Tae-ri, featuring acclaimed actress Kim Tae-ri as she stepped into the role of a theater teacher for the very first time. Alongside fellow celebrities Choi Hyun-wook, Kangnam, and Code Kunst, Kim Tae-ri was tasked with leading after-school theater classes for a group of elementary students—a challenge that would prove both exhilarating and unexpectedly daunting.
Kim Tae-ri, known for her magnetic performances in films like The Handmaiden and dramas such as Mr. Sunshine and Twenty-Five Twenty-One, found herself facing an entirely new kind of stage. According to OSEN, the actress poured tremendous energy into her inaugural lesson, so much so that she confessed, “My mouth felt like it had a sweet taste from exertion.” The intensity of the experience was evident as the cameras captured her sitting alone in the now-empty classroom, sighing deeply and unable to shake a sense of emptiness, even after what appeared a successful session.
In a candid interview following the class, Kim Tae-ri opened up about the swirl of emotions she felt. “It was complicated,” she admitted. “The class went more or less as planned, and I managed to cover everything in my lesson plan. The students all left politely, saying goodbye, but I just felt so empty.” Despite hitting all her marks, she couldn’t shake a lingering dissatisfaction. “I was left feeling unsatisfied and uneasy, thinking, ‘Is this really the way it should go?’” she said, revealing the depth of her commitment and her keen sense of responsibility as a teacher. “Before the class, I promised myself I’d have fun. But honestly, it wasn’t enjoyable,” she stated firmly, laying bare the often unspoken pressures of stepping into a new role.
Kim Tae-ri’s apprehensions weren’t without reason. In the days leading up to her teaching debut, she undertook meticulous preparations, as reported by Edaily. She sought advice from some of the industry’s most respected actors—Moon So-ri, Yeom Hye-ran, and Jin Sun-gyu—hoping to glean wisdom from their years of experience. Yeom Hye-ran, she recalled, told her, “Acting is the foundation of everything.” She even exchanged messages with Jin Sun-gyu, who had once taught acting himself fifteen years ago, arranging an interview to hear his perspective. Determined to leave no stone unturned, Kim Tae-ri also learned a warm-up dance from the choreographer of the drama Jeongnyeon-i, which she had starred in. The cameras caught her gamely struggling to move her arms and legs in sync, a moment that brought laughter and a touch of humility to her preparations. “Still, I’m a teacher now, so I need to prepare without embarrassment,” she resolved, steeling herself for the challenge ahead.
For Kim Tae-ri, the stakes were deeply personal. During her self-introduction to the students, she revealed a poignant truth about her own journey. “I first experienced theater in college,” she shared, “and the joy I felt then was so overwhelming that it made me decide to become an actress.” According to Newsen, she added, “Theater has always held a special place in my heart. I can never forget the feeling of standing on stage and receiving applause from the audience.” It was this formative connection to the stage that made the prospect of teaching theater to young students both exciting and fraught with expectations.
Born in 1990, Kim Tae-ri is 35 years old and a graduate of Kyung Hee University with a degree in Media and Communication. She burst onto the scene in 2016 with her debut in Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden, quickly establishing herself as one of South Korea’s most versatile and beloved actresses. Her impressive résumé includes leading roles in acclaimed dramas like Mr. Sunshine, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, The Guest, and Jeongnyeon-i, as well as films such as 1987, Little Forest, Space Sweepers, and the Alien+ series.
Yet, despite all her accolades and experience on screen and stage, the transition to teaching was anything but seamless. The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on her shoulders, especially as she faced a classroom of children in a school fighting for survival. “Being a teacher is so difficult,” she confessed, echoing the anxiety that many first-time educators feel. The show’s premise—celebrities stepping in to teach at an elementary school on the brink of closure—added another layer of urgency and poignancy to the endeavor.
Her journey was not a solitary one. Choi Hyun-wook, Kangnam, and Code Kunst joined her in the mission, each bringing their own blend of nerves and enthusiasm to the classroom. The program’s first episode, according to multiple reports, highlighted the collective effort to breathe new life into the school through creativity and mentorship. But it was Kim Tae-ri’s vulnerability and honesty that resonated most powerfully with viewers. Her willingness to share her doubts, seek advice, and reflect openly on her shortcomings offered a rare glimpse behind the curtain, reminding audiences that even the most accomplished performers can struggle with self-doubt and the unfamiliar.
As the episode drew to a close, viewers were left with a portrait of an artist at a crossroads—someone who, despite having conquered some of the most demanding roles in Korean cinema and television, found herself humbled by the prospect of guiding young minds. Her story is a testament to the challenges and rewards of stepping outside one’s comfort zone, and to the enduring power of theater to inspire, connect, and transform.
Kim Tae-ri’s first day as a teacher may have left her with more questions than answers, but it also marked the beginning of a new chapter—one defined by courage, reflection, and an unwavering commitment to growth. If her journey in After School Teacher Tae-ri is any indication, both she and her students are in for an unforgettable ride.