5 Shocking Facts About The Cheongju Curling Iron Case That Inspired Netflix's 'The Glory'

As of December 17, 2025, the 2006 Cheongju Curling Iron Case remains one of the most infamous and disturbing examples of school violence in South Korean history. The case, which involves the sustained, brutal torture of a middle school student, resurfaced dramatically in the global consciousness following the release of the 2022-2023 Netflix K-Drama, *The Glory*. The show's writer, Kim Eun-sook, explicitly confirmed that the horrific abuse depicted—specifically the use of a hot curling iron—was directly inspired by this real-life incident. The renewed public attention has not only forced a painful reckoning with the past but has also become a catalyst for significant, mandatory reforms in South Korea's approach to school violence. The details of the case expose a systemic failure in the juvenile justice system of the mid-2000s, where perpetrators of extreme violence received shockingly light sentences, fueling the victim's—and the public's—desire for justice and revenge, a theme central to the hit K-Drama.

The Horrific Facts of the 2006 Cheongju Curling Iron Case (The Crime)

The Cheongju Curling Iron Case, often simply referred to as the Cheongju School Violence Case, occurred in May 2006 at the Cheongju Jungang Girls’ Middle School in North Chungcheong Province. The victim, identified as Ms. A, was subjected to a systematic campaign of torture and extortion by a group of classmates, primarily led by a main perpetrator, Ms. B. The abuse was not a single incident but a prolonged period of terror lasting approximately 20 days. The perpetrators' methods were calculated and barbaric, going far beyond typical schoolyard bullying. The 'curling iron' detail, which gave the case its notorious name, involved using a hot hair curler to inflict third-degree burns on the victim's body.

Here are the shocking facts that defined the abuse:

• The Curling Iron Torture: The main perpetrator repeatedly burned Ms. A’s arms, legs, and torso with a hot curling iron. The burns were so severe that the victim had to be hospitalized for six weeks and required skin graft surgery.
• Extortion and Debt: The perpetrators forced Ms. A to pay money, claiming she was indebted to them. When she failed to provide the money, the physical assaults escalated. This element of financial control is a common but often overlooked facet of severe school violence.
• Needle and Assault Weapons: Beyond the burns, the victim was subjected to other forms of physical assault, including being beaten with baseball bats and being stabbed with a pin or needle in the chest.
• Location of Abuse: The violence often occurred in secluded locations, including karaoke bars, alleyways near abandoned factories, and even in the classroom, demonstrating the bullies' brazen confidence and the school's failure to intervene.

The Controversial Legal Outcome and Juvenile Justice Failure

The legal proceedings that followed the Cheongju Curling Iron Case became a flashpoint for public debate regarding South Korea’s juvenile justice system. The extreme violence and permanent physical and psychological scarring inflicted on Ms. A stood in stark contrast to the minor penalties handed down to the perpetrators. The main reason for the perceived failure of justice was the application of the Juvenile Law. Because the perpetrators were minors (ninth-grade students), they were afforded legal protection designed for juvenile delinquents, often resulting in lighter sentences aimed at rehabilitation rather than punishment.

The key details of the legal aftermath:

• Light Sentencing: Despite the severity of the torture and the extensive injuries, the main perpetrators reportedly received sentences that were widely viewed as insufficient and non-commensurate with the crime. The public outcry at the time highlighted a deep-seated frustration that the system prioritized the perpetrators' future over the victim’s physical and psychological recovery.
• The Victim's Plea: Ms. A's mother filed a complaint with the police, which led to the investigation. The victim herself was forced to change schools and struggled with the long-term trauma, including the permanent scars on her body.
• Public Outrage: The case sparked immediate and widespread outrage across the nation. It was one of the first major school violence cases to be widely reported in the media, exposing the brutal realities of *Korean bullying culture* and the inadequacy of the laws governing it.

The perceived failure of the justice system to deliver meaningful retribution is the emotional core that resonated decades later when the case was adapted for television, tapping into a collective societal desire for a comprehensive and satisfying revenge narrative.

The Glory's Legacy: How the Case Sparked South Korea's School Violence Reform

The true, current significance of the 2006 Cheongju Curling Iron Case lies not just in its historical horror but in its modern-day impact on policy and social awareness. The K-Drama *The Glory* (2022-2023), starring Song Hye-kyo, served as a global amplifier for the case, ensuring that the memory of Ms. A's suffering would not fade. The show's intense popularity reignited the national conversation about *South Korean school violence* and the need for stronger accountability. This renewed public pressure coincided with a government push for stricter measures, turning the fictional revenge story into a real-world legislative catalyst.

The lasting impact and legal changes include:

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• Mandatory Admissions Records: In one of the most significant recent reforms, the South Korean government confirmed a strengthened policy that mandates the inclusion of school violence records in college admissions processes. Starting with the 2025 school year, records of serious school violence penalties will be reflected mandatorily in a student's application.
• Stricter School Violence Prevention Act: The discussion around the Cheongju case and *The Glory* helped solidify the government's commitment to enforce and strengthen the existing *School Violence Prevention and Countermeasures Act*. This has led to a major shift, where the consequences for bullying are now more severe and long-lasting.
• Social Accountability: The media attention led to increased scrutiny of public figures, including politicians and celebrities, whose own past school bullying records were brought to light. This phenomenon, known as "hak-pok" (school violence) shaming, demonstrates a zero-tolerance societal shift.
• The Glory's Cultural Impact: The K-Drama’s success ensured that the specific, disturbing detail of the curling iron became a global symbol of extreme, systemic school cruelty, forcing international attention on the hidden epidemic of *Korean school bullying*.

In conclusion, the Cheongju Curling Iron Case is far more than a gruesome historical footnote. It is a defining moment in South Korea's struggle with *school violence*, a brutal true story that inspired a global hit series, and a powerful, ongoing force pushing the nation toward greater accountability and justice for victims of juvenile crimes. The light sentences of 2006 have ultimately led to the heavy reforms of today, ensuring that future perpetrators will face consequences that truly reflect the severity of their actions.

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