More than a decade after its debut,The Elementary School Student That I Lovewebtoonhas come under renewed fire, culminating in the cancellation of its planned live-action adaptation. Once a prize-winning webtoon that ran from 2015 to 2020, the series has now been pulled from major digital platforms following widespread backlash over its problematic premise.
At the center of the controversy, according toThe Korea Herald, is a disturbing and disgusting romantic dynamic between a female elementary school teacher who unknowingly falls for a man online, only to later discover that he is her own fifth-grade student. Although the story eventually reframes her feelings as platonic, critics argue the setup inherently romanticizes grooming, and the outrage has only intensified in 2025.
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Platforms Pull the Plug Amid Growing Controversy
The backlash erupted after news broke that a drama adaptation was in development, with plans to bring the controversial story to screens. Production company Meta New Line quickly bowed to public pressure, announcing on July 4 that the adaptation was canceled. The company cited “serious societal concerns” and issued a public apology for reigniting debate over the webtoon.
Criticism was especially sharp from educators and child safety advocates.South Korea’s largest teachers' union, the KFTA, condemned the adaptation, stating it “sexualizes minors” and undermines trust in teachers.Their statement called the plot a dangerous glamorization of grooming, urging the project to be scrapped for the sake of children’s well-being.
The controversy triggered a cascade of platform withdrawals. Naver Series, Kakao Page, and Ridibooks all pulled the original webtoon from their stores. Kyobo Book Center and Ridi followed suit, effectively erasing the title from South Korea’s major digital markets. Naver confirmed the decision came after “a significant number of users” expressed concerns.
Controversial Origins Come Back to Bite Decade-Old Series
Why the Webtoon’s Romance Was Always Problematic
Originally published on Lezhin Comics, the webtoon once received an Excellence Award at the 2014 World Comics Contest. Its blend of online gaming and emotional entanglement was pitched as complex storytelling, but the premise raised eyebrows even then. That initial skepticism turned into widespread outrageonce the live-action adaptation of the manhwa entered production.
The plot’s attempt to distinguish romantic and platonic feelings after the twist failed to satisfy critics, who noted that the story still centers on a teacher developing a romantic interest in a child. While the series had its defenders during its initial run, the 2025 media climate proved far less tolerant of such portrayals.
With no plans to resume production or re-release the title, the webtoon now appears to be effectively blacklisted.
With no plans to resume production or re-release the title,thewebtoonnow appears to be effectively blacklisted. Even though it ended five years ago, its attempted resurrection has left a lasting stain on all parties involved, and its creator is now at the center of a new wave of scrutiny.
