TVING Reduces Female Bodies to Mere Spectacle, Viewers Tired of Excessive Nudity

TVING’s increasing reliance on female nudity to grab attention is drawing criticism, particularly in its historical dramas such as “The Scandal of Chunhwa,” “Queen Woo” and “The Queen Who Crowns.”

The Scandal of Chunhwa

TVING’s “The Scandal of Chunhwa” is an R-rated drama that sparked both anticipation and concern from the start. Given its theme, depicting chunhwa (erotic paintings) from the Joseon era, some level of nudity was expected.

However, upon release, only supporting actors appeared in nude scenes, raising questions about their necessity. From scenes of Prince Hwaseong (Kim Taek) secretly engaging in affairs at a gisaeng house to Princess Hwa-ri (Go Ara) and Choi Hwan (Chang Ryul) witnessing a couple having sex mid-air, certain moments felt excessive and unnecessary. It even led to suspicions that the drama was exploiting minor actors’ desperation for screen time.

Queen Woo

While nudity can serve a narrative purpose, its relevance and execution matter. “Queen Woo,” set in the largely undocumented Goguryeo era, required creative storytelling. However, a scene where King Gonam-mu (Ji Chang-wook) alleviates pain from battle wounds through sexual encounters, while intriguing, was undermined by camera shots that blatantly emphasized women’s bodies.

The Queen Who Crowns

The recently concluded “The Queen Who Crowns” stirred ethical concerns. A nude scene, not initially discussed with the actress, was filmed and later edited using CGI with a body double. When questioned, actress Cha Joo-young admitted that the script had only described the atmosphere of the scene, implying that the final cut deviated from her expectations.

Despite TVING’s claim that all scenes were agreed upon with actors and agencies, reports suggest that actors’ requests to edit the CGI-enhanced scenes were ignored.

Risky Strategy

This pattern of controversy reflects CJ ENM’s aggressive strategy for TVING. The persistent use of R-rated nudity despite backlash suggests an attempt to boost paid subscriptions.

One is reminded of tvN’s early days in 2006, when the channel often faced criticism for its provocative content, despite hiring renowned producer Song Chang-eui to generate interest. Shows like “tvNgels” were eventually canceled following pressure from civic groups. Over time, tvN found stability with quality productions such as the “Reply” series and variety hits like “Three Meals a Day” and “Grandpas Over Flowers.”

TVING must reconsider its approach. Relying on fleeting shock value to attract subscribers is an unsustainable strategy. In the long run, an OTT platform’s success is defined by memorable content that withstands the test of time. If similar controversies continue in upcoming dramas, audiences may abandon the platform entirely. TVING would do well to avoid repeating the same short-sighted mistakes of the past.