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“It’s only a drama.”
That is probably one of the most common comments people make after watching Netflix’s The Glory.
But is it really “just a drama”?
Although Moon Dong-eun is a fictional character, her experience reflects a fear that many real victims describe: not that nobody will know, but that somebody will know and still do nothing.
In one of the most disturbing scenes, a young schoolgirl is repeatedly burned with a heated hair styling tool by her classmates.
When she finally seeks help, the teacher she trusts slaps her instead of protecting her.
The school chooses silence.
Powerful parents protect their own children.
The victim is left to suffer alone.
As viewers, we are horrified.
Yet perhaps what makes The Glory so unforgettable is not the violence.
It is the uncomfortable thought that somewhere in the world, similar stories have happened, and continue to happen.
Whether it’s The Glory, 13 Reasons Why, Hierarchy, Pyramid Game or countless Japanese school dramas, the message remains the same: bullying destroys lives.
Bullying Is Not Unique to One Country
South Korea gave the world The Glory.
The United States started global conversations with 13 Reasons Why.
Japan has produced countless dramas and films centred on school bullying, social isolation, and the emotional scars that victims carry into adulthood.
Different countries.
Different languages.
Different cultures.
Yet the same message keeps appearing.
Why?
Because bullying is not a Korean problem.
It is not an American problem.
It is not a Japanese problem.
It is a human problem.
Malaysia Has Its Own Heartbreaking Story
Many Malaysians still remember the tragic case of Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain (New Straits Times).
It began with an accusation that he had stolen a laptop.
An accusation.
Not a conviction.
Instead of allowing the matter to be investigated properly, he was subjected to horrific abuse, including repeated burns with a steam iron.
He later died from his injuries.
The case shocked the nation.
But years later, one question still echoes in many people’s minds.
How could this happen?
Not only because of the violence.
But because so many people were aware that something was terribly wrong.
The Most Dangerous Person Is Not Always the Bully
Many bullying dramas teach the same lesson.
The bully is only one part of the story.
There are also:
- The classmates who laugh instead of helping.
- The friends who stay silent because they are afraid.
- The adults who dismiss warning signs.
- The institutions that react only after tragedy strikes.
- The people who believe reputation matters more than truth.
Sometimes, the greatest failure is not committed by the bully.
It is committed by everyone who had the opportunity to stop the bullying, but chose not to.
The Hardest Question Isn’t “Why Didn’t They Tell Someone?”
Whenever a bullying case makes the headlines, many people ask:
“Why didn’t the victim tell a teacher?”
“Why didn’t they tell their parents?”
“Why didn’t they report it earlier?”
The truth is often far more complicated.
The truth is often far more complicated.
In The Glory, Moon Dong-eun did try to seek help. Instead of receiving protection, she was humiliated by the very adult she trusted. For many victims, that is their greatest fear—not that nobody will know, but that somebody will know and still do nothing.
Many victims stay silent because they are terrified of what will happen after they speak up.
They fear the bullying will become more violent.
They fear being beaten after school.
They fear being humiliated in front of everyone.
They fear their belongings will be destroyed.
They fear being isolated by classmates.
They fear becoming the next target every single day.
Some have seen what happened to others who reported bullying.
Some have already asked for help once, only to be ignored.
Others are threatened into silence.
“If you tell anyone, you’ll regret it.”
“If you report us, we’ll make your life even worse.”
For a frightened child or teenager, those words can feel more powerful than any promise of protection.
That is why telling victims to “just speak up” is not enough.
They also need to believe that when they do speak, someone will listen.
Someone will protect them.
Someone will act.
Because courage should never be rewarded with more suffering.
A child should never have to choose between living with bullying and risking even greater harm for asking for help.
That choice should never exist.
Can Money, Power or Reputation Hide the Truth?
Many Korean dramas explore another uncomfortable reality.
Power.
Influence.
Status.
Families trying to protect their children at any cost.
Schools trying to avoid public embarrassment.
Adults believing difficult truths can simply disappear.
Reality is, of course, more complex than fiction.
Every real-life case must be judged on its own evidence.
But around the world, many tragedies have led people to ask difficult questions about whether fear, influence or the desire to protect reputations delayed accountability.
That is why these dramas resonate with audiences.
They are not simply entertaining.
They reflect fears that many people recognise.
Bullying Never Starts With Murder
Nobody wakes up one morning and decides to commit a horrific crime.
Bullying usually begins much earlier.
A nickname.
A rumour.
A joke.
A push.
A slap.
A cruel message online.
A humiliating video.
A classroom laughing while one child cries.
People call it “normal.”
People tell victims to “be stronger.”
People say,
“They’re only kids.”
Until one day…
Someone ends up in hospital.
Or someone never comes home.
The Responsibility Belongs to All of Us
Parents often tell children not to become bullies.
That is important.
But we should also teach children not to become silent witnesses.
Teachers should never dismiss repeated complaints.
Schools should never value reputation over a student’s safety.
Parents should never defend unacceptable behaviour simply because the child involved is their own.
True courage is not joining the crowd.
True courage is being the one person who says,
“Stop.”
Final Thoughts
If countries around the world continue producing dramas about bullying…
Perhaps the real question is not why filmmakers keep telling these stories.
Perhaps the real question is why society keeps giving them new stories to tell.
Because the most frightening bullying story is never the one on Netflix.
It is the one happening in real life, while everyone else chooses to look away.
One Last Message
If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, remember this:
You do not have to face it alone.
Speak to a trusted parent, teacher, school counsellor, family member or another adult you trust.
If the bullying involves violence, serious threats or criminal behaviour, report it to the police or the relevant authorities as soon as it is safe to do so.
Speaking up is not a sign of weakness.
It may be the first step towards saving a life.
And if you are the one someone chooses to confide in, don’t ignore it. Listen. Believe them. Take it seriously. Your response could change, or even save a life.
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Keywords: school bullying, cyberbullying, The Glory bullying, 13 Reasons Why, Malaysia bullying case, school violence, bullying awareness, bullying prevention, student safety, bystander effect, anti-bullying
11 July 2026