8 Controversial Dramas That Received a Lot of Criticism, Some Sold Well in the Market

Kapanlagi.com - Not all of these Korean dramas have storylines that entertain viewers. Some of these controversial dramas can be quite frustrating for viewers. In fact, these dramas have not only been criticized by viewers, but also heavily condemned.

It's no wonder that there are several controversial dramas that continue to sell well in the market. However, there are also some controversial dramas that have faded away due to the controversies they faced. Whether it's because of inappropriate scenes or a certain character.

According to various sources, here are some controversial dramas that have been heavily criticized by viewers that KLovers can know about. Let's check them out.

 

1. REPLY 1994 (2013)

(credit: imdb.com)

Rating	7.8 IMDB
Durasi	77 minutes
Episode	21 episodes
Aired	VIU, iQIYI, WeTV, VIKI, Prime Video
Cast	Go Ah Ra, Jung Woo, Yoo Yeon Seok

The first controversial drama is REPLY 1994. Although it has a slice of life storyline, this drama REPLY 1994 contains many scenes that show a romantic relationship between two men, which of course becomes a controversy.

In this drama, the character Sseureki, played by Jung Woo, and Binggeure, played by Baro B1A4, really build a romantic atmosphere and an excessive sense of care. There is even a scene where they kiss while playing a game.

These interactions between the two of them are very disturbing to the audience and have received a lot of criticism and backlash for the drama REPLY 1994. It has become one of the controversial dramas that has garnered a lot of attention from viewers.

 

2. K2 (2016)

(credit: imdb.com)

Rating	7.8 IMDB
Durasi	60 minutes
Episode	16 episodes
Tayang	Vidio, VIU, iQIYI, Netflix, Apple TV, WeTV
Pemain	Ji Chang Wook, Yoona Girls Generation

Then the next controversial drama is a Korean drama titled K2. Yes, the drama starring Yoona Girls Generation and Ji Chang Wook became one of the popular Korean dramas in 2016. However, who would have thought that this action romance genre drama has controversial scenes.

In one episode, Ji Chang Wook has a fight scene with several other bodyguards in the bathroom while being naked. Even though the production team has censored Ji Chang Wook's intimate body parts, this drama is still problematic according to the Korean Broadcasting Commission.

According to them, the scene is considered inappropriate to be aired during family entertainment hours. This makes the drama K2 one of the controversial dramas.

 

3. MAN WHO DIES TO LIVE (2017)

(credit: imdb.com)

Rating	4.9 IMDB
Durasi	35 minutes
Episode	24 episodes
Airing	VIU, iQIYI, WeTV, VIKI, Prime Video
Cast	Choi Min Soo, Kang Ye Won, Shin Sung Rok

Next, there is also a drama titled MAN WHO DIES TO LIVE which also greatly annoys viewers, causing controversy among the audience. This drama tells the story of a South Korean man named Jang Dal Goo, portrayed by Choi Min Soo, who travels to the Middle East.

There, he becomes a wealthy man and receives a title, officially becoming a native of the Middle East with a new name, Saeed Fahd Ali. There are many controversial scenes in this drama, such as a woman wearing short sleeves but wearing a hijab, characters drinking wine, and sitting with their legs raised in front of a book considered sacred by Muslims.

 

4. LIVE (2018)

(credit: imdb.com)

Rating	8.3 IMDB
Durasi	75 minutes
Episode	18 episodes
Tayang	iQIYI, Vidio, Netflix
Pemain	Lee Kwang Soo, Jung Yu Mi, Bae Sung Woo

Then there is the drama LIVE which became a controversial drama that also received a lot of criticism. This drama, which tells the story of the lives of Korean police officers, has received a lot of negative reactions from Korean viewers.

This is because there are many scenes that show the perspective of a police officer carrying out their duties. One of them is when the police are securing the demonstrators at Ehwa Women's University.

In that demonstration, there were several acts of violence committed by the officers against the demonstrators at that time. And as a result, tvN promptly issued an apology to everyone involved in the demonstration.

 

5. BACKSTREET ROOKIES (2020)

(credit: imdb.com)

Rating	7.5 IMDB
Durasi	70 minutes
Episode	16 episodes
Tayang	iQIYI, VIU, Netflix, VIKI
Pemain	Ji Chang Wook, Kim Yoo Jung, Han Sun Hwa

Controversial drama titled BACKSTREET ROOKIES is another drama. This drama tells the story of Choi Dae Hyun played by Ji Chang Wook and Jung Saet Byul played by Kim Yoo Jung. However, the story in this drama received a lot of criticism from drama lovers, especially in South Korea.

This is because the drama shows an initial kissing scene between a high school student and an adult man. In fact, the drama BACKSTREET ROOKIES received a reprimand and sanction from the KCSC (Korea Communications Standards Commission). As reported by Newsi, the KCSC decided to impose legal sanctions on this drama BACKSTREET ROOKIES,

"Legal sanctions cannot be avoided because the drama team includes proactive content to increase ratings, which ultimately causes discomfort for viewers," said a representative of the KCSC.

 

6. IT'S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY (2020)

(credit: imdb.com)

Rating	8.6 IMDB
Durasi	75 minutes
Episode	16 episodes
Tayang	Netflix
Pemain	Kim Soo Hyun, Seo Yea Ji, Oh Jung Se

Controversial drama titled IT'S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY. This drama, starring Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Ji, has received a lot of criticism from viewers. In fact, this drama has received legal sanctions from KCSC.

According to a representative from KCSC, they have received more than 50 complaints regarding this drama. It is mentioned in the report that there are several controversial scenes that involve sexual harassment appearing in the third episode. There are also many scenes that fall under the category of explicit verbal harassment.

 

7. SQUID GAME (2021)

(credit: imdb.com)

Rating	9.2 IMDB
Durasi	60 minutes
Episode	9 episodes
Air Date	Netflix
Cast	Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, Jung Ho Yeon

Then there is the drama SQUID GAME which previously became the most popular Korean drama of 2021 until overseas. However, who would have thought that this drama is controversial, KLovers. There are several controversies surrounding the drama SQUID GAME, one of which is plagiarism and also misogyny.

Yes, it is known that the drama SQUID GAME has similarities with the Japanese film titled AS THE GODS WILL which was released in 2014. It is known that this film also uses children's games, and even the countdown doll scene is known to have similarities.

In addition, this drama is considered to contain misogynistic actions, a term used for people who hate women extremely. This can be seen in the character Han Min Yeo, a widow who uses her body to be protected by Jang Deok Su.

 

8. KING THE LAND (2023)

(credit: imdb.com)

Rating	8.6 IMDB
Durasi	80 minutes
Episode	16 episodes
Airing	Netflix
Cast	Lee Junho, Yoona Girls Generation

And the latest controversial drama is KING THE LAND in 2023. Although initially this drama did not experience any problems and was well received, the character of Prince Samir received criticism from KLovers.

It is explained that the character of Prince Samir is a wealthy Arab. He is not only portrayed as a funny character, but his obsession with alcohol and women has made the public angry.

In addition, the character of the Arab Prince played by Anupam Tripathi is actually not a native Arab. However, he is a man of Indian descent. This has offended some viewers and has become quite controversial.

 

(kpl/gen/dhm)