K-dramas are becoming increasingly risqué.
SBS’s Buried Hearts premiered on February 21st with an intense kiss and bed scene between Park Hyung Sik and Hong Hwa Yeon. Their characters, coworkers secretly dating, shared a deep emotional and physical connection. However, Hong Hwa Yeon’s character, Yeo Eun Nam, ultimately betrays Park Hyung Sik’s Seo Dong Ju, pushing him down a dark path. The premiere drew a strong 6.1% nationwide viewership and generated buzz with its bold content.
But one particular line—where a character refuses to use protection during sex—sparked backlash, especially given the show’s prime-time Friday night slot and the recent surge in syphilis cases across South Korea. One viewer criticized the scene, saying, “Syphilis cases are skyrocketing among people in their 20s and 30s, just like in Japan 🤮 I can’t believe a drama that premiered on Friday actually had a line like, ‘Let’s just do it (without a condom).’'”
일본에 이어 우리나라도 2030 매독환자 폭증하고 있음🤮 금요일 첫방 시작한 드라마에 (콘돔 없이) ‘그냥 하자’는 대사가 들어가 있는 게 진심 믿기지 않음 https://t.co/l8E65akEs6 pic.twitter.com/sLpZ3YzluS
— 낫띵 (@notxxcompares2u) February 23, 2025
The Queen Who Crowns, a tvN and TVING original that wrapped up on February 11th, also faced controversy over its R-rated content. From the start, viewers were taken aback by scenes featuring Cha Joo Young exposing her chest, followed by multiple explicit bed scenes that fueled heated debates. The production team was criticized for its excessive push for explicit content, particularly since the script reportedly lacked detailed descriptions of nudity. Actors were only informed of the “19+” rating at the storyboard stage before filming.
Although the scenes were shot with actors wearing clothing, the production team later added nudity using CGI and body doubles. Even after an agency requested edits, the team refused to comply. While the production team claimed they had discussed the level of nudity with each actor in advance, lead actor Lee Hyun Wook expressed frustration, saying, “I was shocked and distressed when I saw the final edit. I think we needed better communication with the production team. I understand that some viewers felt uncomfortable with how those scenes were highlighted.”
tvN’s The Scandal of Chunhwa revolves around erotic paintings from the Joseon dynasty, so it introduced bed scenes early on, featuring Han Seung Yeon and Kim Taek, as well as Lim Hwa Yeong and Son Woo Hyun.
Studio X+U’s Friendly Rivalry shocked viewers with a same-sex kiss between Hyeri and Jung Soo Bin in a bathtub scene.
tvN’s When the Stars Gossip stirred debate over a “space bed scene” between Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin.
As more shows openly incorporate once-taboo “19+” elements, the landscape of K-dramas is clearly shifting. Bed scenes can be a powerful tool for portraying intense emotions and romance, but careful consideration is required when nudity is involved. Viewers can feel uncomfortable when explicit content lacks narrative justification. In the end, only well-integrated “19+” elements will truly resonate with audiences rather than those included purely for shock value.
Curious about which K-dramas are making waves with bold romance and intimate scenes? Watch them for free on Amasian.tv! Now streaming on Channel 250 (U.S.) and Channel 263 (Canada) via lgchannels.com, or catch them on OnDemandKorea.
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