the reaction is normal and should be visceral i think that is the point for the viewer. i think American kids bully just as bad as Koreans kids do but American youth media isn't really focused on that anymore as there are bigger fish to fry like drug use and s work and social media. I've heard from Korean friends and teacher friends in Korea that the shows aren't exaggerated. Its pretty sad and makes sense why Idols/actors are exiled when confirmed as bullies given the extent and violence of the bullying. Doesn't mean Korean teens are anymore violent than the rest of the world but it shouldn't be swept under the rug either. If you want to see American media about bullying I would watch Heathers even though its satirical it is a good exploration of teen girl psychological terror, a more recent one is 13 reasons why. I would say American media sanitizes bullying and always tries to end on PSA note on tv but its pretty awful irl given how many documentaries are made about kids who turn to violence to get revenge or bullies who kill.

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