[Desk Column] '19+'? The Judgment Belongs to the Viewers

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jinsoo Lee] The SBS drama "Penthouse 2," rated "19 and over" and unafraid of controversy over its "sexual content and violence," which aimed to depict a distorted upper class and twisted desires, ended on the 2nd with a final episode viewership rating of 21.5~25.8%. How could a drama filled with stimulation for the sake of stimulation, lacking plausibility in its settings and situations, and marked by corrupt desires with hardly any warmth of humanity, achieve such high ratings?

JTBC's "Monster," featuring murder scenes exposing severed fingers, and tvN's "Mouse," with brutal scenes of people being burned to death and even decapitated, are similar cases. SBS's "Joseon Exorcist," which was canceled after only two episodes due to historical distortion, showed blood-soaked massacres and pools of blood without filtering.

Nowadays, TV viewers are becoming accustomed to high levels of intensity as they experience content from around the world through new platforms like Over-The-Top (OTT) services. Even if the message of a drama is unclear, viewers increasingly seek stimulating and thrilling content rather than bland material.

Since 2019, an average of 7.22 domestic TV dramas have aired monthly. With fierce competition, nothing attracts viewers' attention more powerfully than a "19+" rating. Moreover, due to a shortage of themes, there is a need for even stronger and more stimulating content. Dramas that once represented the sensibilities and emotions of the times and provided strength to live on now seem to have become disposable, single-use entertainment. Deep reflection on life and society is hard to find in reality.

Some experts diagnose the emergence of "19+" dramas domestically as an essential factor to gain competitiveness in the globalized content market. As the boundary between movies and dramas blurs and resistance to "19+" dramas has significantly eased, it is argued that "19+" elements are necessary for diversity. Expanding themes and modes of expression that have not been addressed so far is essential for K-dramas to broaden their influence in the global market.

"19+" dramas often feature violent and sexual content and stories reflecting distorted gender sensitivity, which can cause viewers to frown. However, this applies to dramas whose sole purpose is box office success and stimulation. The important point is that viewers' standards are not low. Even if content is provocative, viewers can distinguish between scenes intended solely for stimulation and those built on plausible narratives. JTBC's "The World of the Married" and "Graceful Friends," aired last year, are good examples. Both dramas used provocative scenes and settings to expose the hypocrisy of the wealthy class. However, the former was well-received, while the latter was criticized. The difference lies in whether the drama has psychological plausibility that everyone can empathize with.

Applying ethical standards of right and wrong to content risks restricting freedom of expression. If expression is left free, viewers will judge for themselves whether it is stimulation for the sake of stimulation or a means of empathy and message delivery. However, given the relatively high accessibility of TV dramas, there is a need to consider ways to accurately prevent youth from viewing inappropriate content. We must not ignore changes in the times but prepare systems and technical measures suitable for the changing era through open discussion and experimentation. The time has come for that.