Actress Kim Tae-ri is set to take on a new challenge as she prepares to appear in her first fixed variety program since debut. tvN announced on January 20 the launch of its new reality entertainment show ‘After School, Teacher Tae-ri’, confirming Kim Tae-ri, Choi Hyun-wook, and Kangnam as the main cast.
Produced by Studio Slam, ‘After School, Teacher Tae-ri’ centers on a one of a kind after school theater class established at a small elementary school in a rural village. The program follows the journey of three first-time “teachers” and their students as they create a theater class unlike any other, blending reality, growth, and unexpected chemistry.
Kim Tae-ri’s First Step Into Fixed Variety
For Kim Tae-ri, the show marks a significant milestone. Since her debut, she has built a solid reputation through films and dramas spanning romance, science fiction, historical genres, and even traditional Korean musical theater. Despite her wide ranging acting portfolio, she has never taken on a fixed role in a variety show until now.
In ‘After School, Teacher Tae-ri,’ Kim steps into the role of a theater club instructor for elementary school students. The casting holds particular meaning, as she began her own acting journey through a university theater club. Viewers are expected to see a different side of the actress as she applies her performance experience to mentoring children in a real-life classroom setting.
Supportive Roles by Choi Hyun-wook and Kangnam
Joining Kim Tae-ri are Choi Hyun-wook and Kangnam, who will serve as assistant teachers in the theater class. Choi Hyun-wook is described as a thoughtful counselor figure who listens closely to even the smallest voices, while also revealing a playful, slightly clumsy charm that naturally connects him with the students.
Kangnam’s addition brings a contrasting energy. Known for his strong social skills and upbeat personality, he is expected to act as the class’s mood maker, easing tension and creating a comfortable atmosphere for both students and fellow cast members. The combination of the three first time teachers is expected to result in lively, unpredictable interactions.
A Story Rooted in Community and Growth
According to the production team, the program was inspired by real life cases in which after school activities helped revive schools facing closure. The show aims to highlight how creative education, particularly theater, can foster confidence, communication, and community among children. The producers stated that the series will focus on the genuine process of learning and growth shared by both the teachers and the students, asking viewers to support the “only theater class of its kind” as it unfolds.
‘After School, Teacher Tae-ri’ is scheduled to premiere on February 22 on tvN, offering audiences a fresh blend of reality entertainment, heartfelt storytelling, and a new side of Kim Tae-ri rarely seen before.