Aema

if you can’t join them, beat them or something like that

This series was a refreshing binge, showing a side of the Showbusiness, that back in the times many turned a blind eye to. It touches on very nuanced conversations about women’s treatment in the entertainment industry, as well as the differences between female and male gaze and also women’s rights to their own choices (and their own bodies). For this alone I wish there were like 2 more episodes, to really show how this treatment affected women, and how these male predators get in those positions in the first place. Nevertheless the series was concise with a rather satisfying and definitely beautiful ending. I enjoyed watching the friendships and rivalries blossom, and I love seeing women in “hero”-roles. The message at the end of the series was sad yet refreshing. While others criticize the “comedy” aspect, for me it was more about showing that no matter how big a tragedy is, people move on and mostly care about their own problems. All in all I would recommend and also rewatch it.

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Decent drama but lacks the courage to commit

Honestly, it wasn't a bad drama, it was even enjoyable, but man… it's just not bold enough. For a story with this kind of subject matter, I expected way more. There isn't a single proper nude scene, not even one female breast shown clearly, and that's just ridiculous. This kind of censorship ruins the whole point.

The secret banquet scene was the biggest letdown. We see the young female lead in the room with the old man, but then they cut away and we only see her crying afterward. We never actually find out what happened - it's left only to our imagination. In that situation, it had to be either forced sex or at least oral, or maybe it was the older female lead who had sex with the old man since she went in after. But we never know, because it's all cut away and hidden. Such a wasted moment. They played it way too safe.

Same with the end of the first episode: the younger female lead lifts her shirt, but it's completely censored, and we see nothing. These moments were very important for the story, not just cheap fanservice, and it should've been shown properly, without censorship.

Madam Aema is supposed to be this empowered, sexually confident character, but how can you portray that authentically when you're too scared to show her body? Other Korean productions like The Handmaiden aren't afraid to go there, so why is this one playing it so safe, netflix?

When you do a story like this, I expect mature content. That's literally why people watch it. Don't bait and switch with a watered-down version when the character's whole identity revolves around sexual empowerment.

They had good production values and decent acting, but it all feels wasted when you won't commit to your own story.

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Great Drama!!!!!!!!!

Wow!!!!!! Such a great drama!!!! The acting, the storyline, The actors and actresses. They all did a fantastic job. A peek of the Adult Eroticism Industry, and the treatment of women in this industry is true, not only for Korea, but everywhere, here in the States, back in the day. Misogynistic males controlling those women. One scene that did make me sad was when Mina died of being forced fed cocaine. That was so heartbreaking. Kudos to the writers, producers, directors, and everyone that worked on this drama. Finally, another drama that was good from the beginning, to the end.

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Confrontando os incômodos que as mulheres carregam até hoje

“Aema” não é só mais um drama; é um soco silencioso em um cotidiano que insiste em passar despercebido. Diferente dos k-dramas tradicionais, que conquistam com romance, reviravoltas ou estética impecável dos anos 80, este vai na contramão: incomoda desde o primeiro minuto. E não é por visual ou trilha sonora, mas por colocar sob a lupa os incômodos que acompanham mulheres há décadas e que ainda hoje insistem em existir.

A narrativa é ousada, quase desconfortável, porque não deixa a plateia se acomodar. Cada personagem feminina traz nuances de frustração, desejo, resistência e conformismo, revelando o peso de padrões sociais, expectativas e limitações impostas desde cedo. O roteiro não oferece fuga fácil; não há finais bonitinhos ou soluções mágicas. Ao contrário, provoca reflexão constante: “Como ainda chegamos aqui?”

Se você procura um drama “necessário”, que contextualiza questões históricas, sociais e psicológicas da mulher, “Aema” entrega de forma contundente. É história bem contada, com camadas que pedem atenção e empatia, e reflexões que ultrapassam a tela e insistem em permanecer na mente. Imperdível, não pela estética, mas pela coragem de incomodar e fazer pensar.

Nota: 9/10 : Pelo impacto, relevância e coragem narrativa.

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Deux héroïnes explosives, pour une histoire qui s’éteint vite...

Alors "Aema", nous plonge dans les années 80 avec Jeong Hui-ran, une actrice confirmée qui en a marre d’être réduite à des rôles "osés", et Sin Ju-ae, une débutante prête à tout pour se faire une place dans le milieu 🎬. Le drama suit la production de "Madame Aema", le premier film érotique coréen, et l’alliance improbable de ces deux femmes face à une industrie dominée par les hommes 🤜🏻🤛🏻

Franchement, sur le papier, ça avait tout pour être un drame percutant qui dénonce les dérives du showbiz… mais en vrai, j’ai trouvé ça creux et superficiel... 😕 Peut-être que son format court n’était pas adapté pour développer une histoire aussi riche 🤷🏼‍♀️

Le cœur du drama, c’est clairement le duo d’actrices, avec d’un côté Jeong Hui-ran, LA star expérimentée mais fatiguée d’être enfermée dans des clichés… et de l’autre, Shin Ju-ae, une débutante pleine d’ambition et prête à tout pour percer 🔥. Ça aurait pu donner une dynamique de dingue, et il y a bien quelques étincelles 💥, mais ils ont fait le choix de se focaliser uniquement sur cette relation plutôt que d’explorer les zones sombres de l’industrie, comme les compromis, les jeux de pouvoir, les abus… Résultat, je trouve que tout reste en surface, là où j'attendais un vrai coup de poing 👊🏻

Concernant les scènes hot 🔥… pour moi, elles n’apportent rien à l’histoire, elles sont juste là pour "faire joli" et attirer un public international 🙃. J’avais déjà eu ce ressenti avec "Somebody", et ici c’est la même impression... plus racoleur que narratif.

Bref, le concept était prometteur mais tout est resté plat, le scénario, les personnages, même le jeu des acteurs (malgré leur talent indéniable) ne m’a pas embarquée 😬. J’ai été au bout uniquement parce que ça ne faisait que 6 épisodes, mais honnêtement, je ne conseillerais pas de le prioriser dans votre liste ✌🏻

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