TV series under fire for sexual objectification

Seen is a screen capture from 15th episode of KBS drama “Once Again.” Screen capture from KBS

By Park Ji-won

KBS apologized Sunday for its TV series “Once Again” which aired scenes that allegedly sexually objectified women.

“We regret for having caused inconveniences in the episode which aired on Saturday. We will be more careful not to cause such trouble in the future,” the producers said in an online statement.

The statement went on to say, “Including rebroadcasts and replays, the episode will be replaced with a newly edited one.”

The apology came after viewers criticized the drama for sexually objectifying women.

In the 13rd and 14th episodes, three female characters, who opened a gimbab (seaweed rice roll) restaurant after quitting their jobs at a karaoke bar, appear in revealing miniskirts and high heels that reminded viewers of sex workers. With their seductive poses and manners, they successfully attract customers and their eatery is crowded. The restaurant sign also has two silhouettes of women's bodies which look like the ones used for karaoke bars where illegal sex trade occurs.

In the online bulletin boards of KBS and “Once Again,” where viewers can leave their comments, many criticized the TV series for sexually objectifying women and inappropriate content.

“I freaked out at the plot of the TV series. It reads former karaoke bar girls have a career transition and open a small gimbab eatery and the drama hilariously depicts those girls selling gimbab with skills they learned at the karaoke bar,” one internet user wrote. Another wrote, “I was embarrassed as I watched it with my children.”

The TV series led one internet user to submit a petition on the presidential office website.

It reads: “The drama includes so many scenes objectifying women. Women from the sex industry open a gimbap restaurant and promote it as if they are seducing customers at a bar… Who does that in a gimbap restaurant? It is an unnecessary objectification of female characters. And how can this kind of scene be aired at 8 p.m. on weekends when all family members can watch?”

JTBC's megahit drama “The World of the Married” also came under fire for airing scenes that appear to justify violence.

In its eighth episode, a masked intruder hits, kicks and even strangles a female character played by Kim Hee-ae. The violent scenes are depicted to resemble a virtual reality game.

Many viewers criticized JTBC for airing the scenes which they claim emphasize the offender's perspective and justify violence.

A comment in the drama's official website reads “I'm wondering what the producers' or writers' motives were with such violent scenes. Are they trying to sympathize with the intruder? As a woman, I felt unpleasant while watching the scene.”

Another wrote said “It is a traumatizing scene… It is hurting actual victims.”

So far, JTBC has not responded to the criticism.