Get Schooled, also known as True Education, was removed from WEBTOON’s North American platform in September 2023 after an episode featuring racist language and offensive racial stereotypes sparked international backlash. The Korean webtoon, written by Yongtaek Chae and illustrated by Garam Han, follows government inspectors who intervene in schools to address bullying, misconduct, and disciplinary problems. Although its premise attracted readers interested in school violence and harsh punishments for bullies, Episode 125 pushed the series into a major controversy.
The backlash intensified when readers encountered a storyline involving a Black student, racial slurs, and demeaning portrayals that critics considered racist. Images and translations of the episode spread across social media, drawing criticism from international fans who questioned the creators’ handling of race. WEBTOON responded by removing the offensive material and announcing that the series would not return to its US platform.
WHY GET SCHOOLED WAS REMOVED FROM WEBTOON
The controversy centered on Episode 125, which depicted a multiracial student as a bully and included anti-Black slurs and imagery associated with racist stereotypes. Readers criticized the episode for presenting these depictions in a story about punishing school bullies, arguing that the execution reinforced harmful racial portrayals rather than examining discrimination responsibly. The episode had appeared on the Korean platform before its official North American release, but translated versions circulated online and exposed international readers to the disputed content.
WEBTOON responded by removing the racist content and confirming that Get Schooled had been canceled for its US platform and would not return. The company also apologized, stating that the episode did not align with its values and should not have been published. The decision followed criticism from readers who expected the platform to take responsibility for content distributed through its service.
The creators also issued an apology, acknowledging that they had failed to recognize how certain expressions could be racist and harmful. They committed to learning more about racial discrimination and the history of racist representations. Meanwhile, the Korean version of the webtoon had Episode 125 removed and was placed on an indefinite hiatus while the situation was addressed.
The controversy was not the first time Get Schooled had faced criticism. Earlier storylines had attracted accusations of misogyny and excessive violence, making the racism controversy part of a wider debate about the series’ treatment of sensitive social issues. Although the property later continued to attract interest as a potential live-action adaptation, its removal from WEBTOON’s North American service remains a major consequence of the Episode 125 backlash.
