18+ Historical Drama Criticized for Unnecessary Sex Scenes: Even the Stunning Female Lead Couldn’t Save It

After the success of “The Queen Who Crowns”, TVING appeared eager to continue exploring the 18+ historical drama genre, quickly following up with “The Scandal of Chunhwa”, another age-restricted period piece. However, while “The Queen Who Crowns” was controversial due to its brutally intense yet narratively relevant love scenes, “The Scandal of Chunhwa” has been criticized for its unnecessary and meaningless 18+ scenes.

Even before its release, “The Scandal of Chunhwa” sparked both anticipation and concern, as it was inspired by erotic paintings from the Joseon era—a highly sensitive topic. True to expectations, the very first episode featured multiple explicit nude scenes involving supporting characters. Now, nearly a month since its premiere, the drama remains a hot topic of debate, as nearly every episode contains at least one 18+ scene, prompting viewers to question their necessity.
From Prince Hwaseong (Kim Taek) secretly having an affair with a courtesan to Princess Hwa Ri (Go Ara) and Choi Hwan (Chang Ryul) witnessing an intimate act, these scenes have been deemed overly bold yet unnecessary for developing the main characters. Instead of adding depth, they feel awkward and forced. Some critics even suspect that the production team deliberately exploited supporting actors’ bodies to generate buzz.

While “The Scandal of Chunhwa” draws inspiration from historical erotic art, its plot is actually lighthearted and charming, revolving around a princess embarking on a journey to find true love. Given this premise, it’s clear that the film didn’t need so many explicit scenes, as they serve no purpose in advancing the female lead’s story.

Because of these overwhelming 18+ scenes, viewers have struggled to focus on the main plot—especially on Go Ara’s performance. Returning to acting after years away from the screen, Go Ara has shown noticeable improvement in her expressions, and her visuals have been highly praised, exuding elegance and grace befitting a princess. However, neither her efforts nor her beauty could salvage the drama. Unlike “The Queen Who Crowns”, “The Scandal of Chunhwa” failed to gain traction, airing quietly without generating much discussion on social media. It received little attention from Korean media, and TVING has not boasted any notable achievements regarding its viewership or popularity.