'Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng' tackles high-stakes drama of Korea's CSAT

Director Lee Yong-jae said he chose the College Scholastic Ability Test as the subject of his debut film in Seoul on Monday because it affects all of Korean society. “Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng” is a comedy about a Korean language teacher who mistakenly becomes a CSAT test developer and faces clashes inside a 40-day isolated drafting camp. The film satirizes conflicts surrounding the exam while emphasizing teacher Maeng Bo-ram’s dedication to students. It will open in local theaters on Oct. 28.

The film stars Lee Sun-bin as Maeng Bo-ram, Yoo Jae-myung as test-drafting committee head Moon Joo-yeol, Kim Young-min as Park Kyung-tae and Jeon Seok-ho as Ki-jun.

The test-development team is isolated from the outside world for 40 days while preparing the CSAT.

Lee Yong-jae said the restricted setting helped save time and money for the debut production.

Lee Sun-bin described Bo-ram as passionate, considerate toward others and deeply sincere toward her students.

Yoo Jae-myung said he sought to add comedy to the sensitive subject and break from his image of playing serious, authoritative roles.

Published Oct 19, 2026 10:29 pm KST

Actor Lee Sun-bin in a scene from “Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng” / Courtesy of BY4M Studio

Director Lee Yong-jae said he chose the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) as the subject of his debut movie “Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng” because the crucial exam means so much in Korea, even rerouting flights and bringing daily life to a halt across the nation.

“The CSAT is a matter of interest for all citizens," Lee said at a theater in Seoul, Monday after the premier of “Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng.”

“I thought taking on this story would easily draw interest from audiences. No matter which part of our society you look at, you can see many different sides of it. As a new director, telling a story in one restricted space also helped save time and money."

"Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng" is a comedy about Maeng Bo-ram (Lee Sun-bin), a Korean language teacher at a high school in a small provincial town. Maeng accidentally becomes test developer for the CSAT due to an administrative error.

Inside the locked camp, where the team members developing the test are isolated from the outside world for 40 days, she gets caught up in chaotic clashes with ambitious professors while trying her best to write fair questions for students.

"I wanted to sharply diagnose and satirize Korean society through the ludicrous and fiercely turbulent conflicts surrounding the drafting of the CSAT," the director said.

From left, actors Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Sun-bin, director Lee Jae-yong, actors Kim Young-min and Jeon Seok-ho pose during a press conference for the movie "Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng" at a theater in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Lee plays the passionate young teacher Bo-ram, who maintains her dedication to students despite the high-pressure environment.

"It was such a cheerful set that I can only remember laughing continuously when filming with my seniors,” she said. “I thought deeply about Bo-ram's basic nature. She is passionate and hates causing trouble for others, but above all, she has the strongest heart and sincerity toward students."

Yoo Jae-myung plays Moon Joo-yeol, the head of the test-drafting committee. Yoo said he tried to add comedic elements to the sensitive topic so viewers can laugh and take a step back.

"Although I have played many serious and authoritative roles, I actually love comedy," Yoo said. "I worked hard to break my image. The power of comedy lies in the fact that it is fun for both those who perform it and those who watch it."

Kim Young-min portrays Moon's rival Park Kyung-tae, while Jeon Seok-ho plays Ki-jun, an administrative officer for the committee.

Ahead of the nation's annual exam season, Lee offered a warm message of support to students preparing for the CSAT.

"I know very well that so many students work so hard for this single day," Lee said. "Hold on a little longer, do not be nervous and perform well so that you can achieve your dream universities and goals."

"Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng" will hit local theaters on Oct. 28.

导演李勇宰周一在首尔表示，他之所以选择高考作为其处女作电影的主题，是因为它影响着韩国社会的方方面面。《丑小鸭孟宝蓝》是一部喜剧，讲述了一位韩语老师误打误撞成为高考命题编写者，并在为期40天的隔离训练营中遭遇各种冲突的故事。影片以讽刺的手法展现了围绕高考的种种矛盾，同时也着重刻画了孟宝蓝老师对学生的奉献精神。该片将于10月28日在韩国各大影院上映。

该片由李善彬饰演孟宝蓝，刘在明饰演试制委员会主席文柱烈，金英民饰演朴京泰，全锡浩饰演基俊。

测试开发团队在准备 CSAT 测试期间与外界隔绝 40 天。

李勇宰表示，受限的环境有助于节省首部作品的制作时间和金钱。

李善彬形容宝蓝是一位充满热情、体贴他人、对学生真诚的人。

刘在明表示，他想在这个敏感题材中加入喜剧元素，并打破自己以往扮演严肃、权威角色的形象。

发布于2026年10月19日晚上10:29（韩国标准时间）

演员李善彬在《丑小鸭孟小姐》中的剧照 / 图片由 BY4M Studio 提供

导演李勇宰表示，他之所以选择高考（CSAT）作为他的处女作电影《丑小鸭孟小姐》的主题，是因为这项至关重要的考试在韩国意义重大，甚至会导致航班改道，使全国的日常生活陷入停滞。

“CSAT（公民社会评估）是所有公民都关心的事情，”李在周一首尔一家剧院举行的电影《丑小鸭孟小姐》首映式后说道。

“我认为拍摄这个故事很容易引起观众的兴趣。无论你关注我们社会的哪个方面，都能看到它的方方面面。作为一名新导演，在一个有限的空间里讲述故事也有助于节省时间和金钱。”

《丑小鸭孟老师》是一部喜剧，讲述了孟宝蓝（李善彬饰）的故事。孟宝蓝是省会小镇一所高中的韩语老师，因为一次行政失误，她意外地成为了高考的命题人。

在与世隔绝的营地里，负责开发测试的团队成员与外界隔绝了 40 天，她一边努力为学生编写公平的试题，一边卷入了与雄心勃勃的教授们的混乱冲突中。

导演说：“我想通过围绕CSAT草案起草的荒谬而激烈的冲突，对韩国社会进行尖锐的诊断和讽刺。”

周一，在首尔一家影院举行的电影《丑小鸭小姐》新闻发布会上，演员刘在明、李善彬、导演李在容、演员金英民和全锡浩（从左至右）合影留念。（韩联社）

李饰演充满热情的年轻教师宝蓝，尽管身处高压环境，她依然保持着对学生的奉献精神。

“拍摄现场气氛非常欢乐，和前辈们一起拍戏的时候，我只记得自己一直在笑，”她说。“我认真思考了宝蓝这个角色的基本性格。她热情洋溢，不喜欢给别人添麻烦，但最重要的是，她对学生有着一颗无比善良真诚的心。”

刘在明饰演试稿委员会主席文柱烈。刘在明表示，他试图在这个敏感话题中加入喜剧元素，让观众在欢笑中跳出固有思维。

“虽然我演过很多严肃权威的角色，但我其实很喜欢喜剧，”刘宇昆说。“我努力打破自己以往的形象。喜剧的魅力在于它能让表演者和观众都感到快乐。”

金英民饰演文在铉的竞争对手朴京泰，而全锡浩饰演委员会的行政官员基俊。

在全国年度考试季到来之际，李光耀向准备参加高考的学生们表达了热情的支持和鼓励。

李说：“我知道很多学生为了这一天付出了很多努力。再坚持一下，不要紧张，好好发挥，这样你们才能考上理想的大学，实现自己的目标。”

《丑小鸭孟小姐》将于10月28日在当地影院上映。