This review may contain spoilers
promoting sexual assault
May Queen is a drama that should have been about ambition, revenge, and personal growth. Instead, it frequently veers into troubling territory, promoting the idea that coercion and forcefulness equate to love. The series not only fails to portray healthy relationships but actively romanticizes harassment and assault.
One of the most egregious aspects is the second male lead's (SML) forceful kiss on the female lead (FL) without her consent. Rather than being treated as the violation it is, the show frames it as a passionate and meaningful moment in their relationship. This is a deeply harmful trope that normalizes sexual assault, teaching viewers—especially young audiences—that persistence and boundary-crossing are acceptable forms of love.
Even worse, the main couple's relationship follows a similar pattern. The male lead (ML) continuously pressures the FL into a romance she clearly isn't ready for. His relentless pursuit, which includes emotional manipulation and disregard for her feelings, is depicted as "true love." Instead of acknowledging this behavior as toxic, the drama presents it as something noble. This outdated and harmful storytelling should have no place in modern media, yet May Queen shamelessly indulges in it.
The issue isn’t just one or two problematic scenes—it’s a pattern throughout the show. Women’s agency is repeatedly ignored, and men’s aggressive advances are glorified. It’s infuriating to watch a drama that not only refuses to hold its male characters accountable but actively rewards them for their harmful behavior.
In an era where audiences demand better representation of romance, May Queen stands as an example of everything wrong with outdated K-drama tropes. The show had the potential to be an engaging melodrama, but its failure to portray love with respect and consent makes it an infuriating watch. Instead of delivering a compelling romance, May Queen reinforces toxic narratives that should have been left in the past.
One of the most egregious aspects is the second male lead's (SML) forceful kiss on the female lead (FL) without her consent. Rather than being treated as the violation it is, the show frames it as a passionate and meaningful moment in their relationship. This is a deeply harmful trope that normalizes sexual assault, teaching viewers—especially young audiences—that persistence and boundary-crossing are acceptable forms of love.
Even worse, the main couple's relationship follows a similar pattern. The male lead (ML) continuously pressures the FL into a romance she clearly isn't ready for. His relentless pursuit, which includes emotional manipulation and disregard for her feelings, is depicted as "true love." Instead of acknowledging this behavior as toxic, the drama presents it as something noble. This outdated and harmful storytelling should have no place in modern media, yet May Queen shamelessly indulges in it.
The issue isn’t just one or two problematic scenes—it’s a pattern throughout the show. Women’s agency is repeatedly ignored, and men’s aggressive advances are glorified. It’s infuriating to watch a drama that not only refuses to hold its male characters accountable but actively rewards them for their harmful behavior.
In an era where audiences demand better representation of romance, May Queen stands as an example of everything wrong with outdated K-drama tropes. The show had the potential to be an engaging melodrama, but its failure to portray love with respect and consent makes it an infuriating watch. Instead of delivering a compelling romance, May Queen reinforces toxic narratives that should have been left in the past.
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