Broadcasting Controversial Scenes, 'BACKSTREET ROOKIE' Under the Supervision of the Korea Communications Standards Commission

Kapanlagi.com - Based on reports from Media Today, the drama BACKSTREET ROOKIE starring Ji Chang Wook and Kim Yoo Jung has received 6,384 civil complaints. A representative from the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KOCSC) stated that the reports regarding this drama are one of the highest they have ever received.

"This is a program that has received the largest number of civil complaints in the past year. Even without limiting the time frame, it is certainly one of the largest number of complaints we have received," said the KOCSC spokesperson as quoted by Soompi.

Previously reported, BACKSTREET ROOKIE has become controversial for showing content deemed inappropriate. The content includes a scene where an underage student approaches an adult to ask for a cigarette and ends up kissing them, scenes involving sex workers, filming of school students dancing in a karaoke from below, explicit scenes of a webtoon author bathing, a room with portraits of naked women, and a scene where an author moans while drawing explicit webtoon emphasizing women's bodies.

1. Agree to Make a Statement

The KOCSC Subcommittee (led by Heo Mi Sook) held a meeting in Seoul on Wednesday (8/7/2020) yesterday. Based on the meeting results, they decided to listen to the opinions of the production team after determining that the first episode of BACKSTREET ROOKIE (aired on 19/6/2020) violated broadcasting regulations.

The violations include issues of maintaining classification and language of broadcasting. One stage in making a statement is to summon representatives from the broadcasting company of the related program to explain the reasons for broadcasting such content. This decision was made by the five members of the advisory committee.

2. Criticism of Drama Classification

The advisory committee also criticized the classification of the drama. They found inconsistencies between the proposed classification and the content that was aired.

"The reason why there are so many civil complaints is that the webtoon BACKSTREET ROOKIE was classified as 19+, but the drama production tried to change it to 15+. However, they were careless in editing. Very sensual and vulgar language was used without discrimination. Although this is a drama, the ethical and emotional dangers to teenagers are significant," said Park Sang Soo, one of the committee members.

"(Content like that) doesn't look like a 15+ classification," added another committee member.

3. Commodification of Women

Committee member Kang Jin Sook also raised concerns about the commodification of women in the drama, considering that the adult-themed webtoon served as a reference. "When looking at the webtoon, teenage girls are sexually objectified from a male perspective. Because the webtoon is used as a reference work, this drama also has many problematic scenes that commodify women," commented Kang Jin Sook.

Chairwoman Heo Mi Sook also questioned whether this drama can be enjoyed with family members. She stated, "The direction used in the webtoon is felt in various places in the drama. There is a fundamental issue here."

4. Remove Controversial Scenes

People who filed complaints against BACKSTREET ROOKIE stated that the drama objectifies underage women and displays suggestive scenes. After the emergence of this controversy, the disputed scenes were removed from the Video On Demand (VOD) replay service.

(soo/rsp)