renmilktoast

Was completely logged off MDL (chiefly because of a debate originating with this drama, ironically) but I logged back in just to say thank you for summing this up.

Was literally contemplating making a post to address this very thing, I think I was planning on saying something like, "taking a dump is a normal natural part of life but that does not mean I want to watch someone doing it on my TV screen."

Completely agree with your other points as well.

PS. Sorry for the spam, but one small thing I forgot to mention... the idea that not including sex scenes is restricting to the makers of these dramas doesn't really bother me because I'm one of those that believes nudity and/or explicit sex is never necessary to any drama. Most of the time it simply does not further the plot, the characters, or the watching experience. There's really nothing inspirational, thought-provoking, or intellectually stimulating about those types of explicit scenes. I'm not trying to argue here, I just thought this would help ppl understand where I'm coming from better...

(looks like my comments are out of order now, oops)

I understand your point of view and I appreciate you not being hostile to me. I don't think your response was rude and I'll try to keep my response polite in turn.

"if you don't like sex scenes, then maybe watching something that is rated 18+ isn't for you." I'm not watching this drama lol. I specifically am going to skip it after finding out what kind of content is in it, but it's a shame because I was interested in the plot. (I'm just glad I read the comment section before trying it, because the rating on MDL specifies violence and profanity, not nudity or sex.)

Lastly, I think I should specify that I'm most concerned about this kind of thing happening more and more. Yes, I'm bothered that a drama I was interested in ended up being explicit, but I'm more bothered at the idea that this kind of content is perhaps becoming normalized/more common. I hope that makes sense.

Please don't argue and exchange barbs under my comment, pls. I was expressing an opinion, not fomenting hatred.

Please don't argue and exchange barbs under my comment, pls. I was expressing an opinion, not fomenting hatred.

I appreciate that, as it definitely was my intent to express this without attacking anyone. Attacking people over differences in opinions never brought about anything good tbh.

As for westernization, I think I wasn't clear enough about how I define "sexual content." I'm not only referring to nudity or explicit scenes when I say that. No, the majority of k-dramas don't show nudity or explicit sex, but more and more k-dramas are showing more/implying more sexual activity than they used to, if that makes sense. Westernization is definitely happening, it's just not always in a way that's super obvious...

Yes, precisely, this is something I've noticed too.

Thanks for your comment and thanks for explaining that, I guess in a sad way it makes me feel a little better that this isn't as new as I thought. I just still worry that we'll still end up seeing more and more of it...

**Just want to make a PSA for those who seem to be confused.** But first a disclaimer: I am not affiliated with anyone exhibiting trollish behavior in regards to this drama, so please do not lump me in with them and discount my entire comment.

I see a lot of people in the comments saying things like "don't you realize South Korean people want sex/have sex too??" and accusing people of fetishizing "pure" South Koreans, and also using this as an argument that Korean dramas are not being westernized. In response, I'm going to paste from several of my comments.

From my perspective I never once thought South Koreans were any different from anyone else. I've never thought they don't have/want sex. However some of us tire of being inundated with the sexual content of western *television* and found Korean *dramas* to be an escape from that. Korean television tends to be much cleaner, period. Idk about other people who say this, but the reason *I* say Korean dramas are being westernized is because sex is becoming more and more prevalent in their *dramas*, and therefore becoming more like western tv. **Has nothing to do with actual Korean people, just their television.**

(It's also obvious that they're being westernized when you take into account that most of the K-dramas with explicit and sexual content being released right now are coming out on Disney+, Netflix, Amazon, etc. All *Western* platforms.)

Because K-dramas were an escape to me, it's sad and disheartening for me to see them being westernized more and more. Not all of us want to watch people f*** each other on our TV screens. For some of us it's uncomfortable, and it's usually completely unnecessary to the plot of 99% of stories. It also feels unnecessary for Korean dramas to add this type of "diversity" when there are literally a thousand western shows with all the nudity and explicit sex anyone could ever want.

@ the people who are concerned about the ratings, please don't worry. Korean producers will not see the ratings on a western forum and plenty of people (especially western audiences who are used to/enjoy this type of content) will give the drama enough praise that these types of 18+ dramas will, without a doubt, continue being made. So you've got nothing to worry about.

I've heard it's usually very unbalanced, yes. Makes you wonder who they're trying to appeal to (sarcasm).

"However we must, of course, show that we still love the original fluffy romances and it was from them that they gained most of their global fame, we can't let them forget that." Absolutely agree.

Thank you for summing this up so eloquently. I couldn't have said it better myself.

I literally started watching Korean dramas to escape the constant inundation of sex in western television and nothing disheartens me more than finding that it's followed me to what was once an escape for me. It's especially disappointing because I was actually very intrigued by the premise of this particular drama, and learning more about the history of a culture I have come to love and appreciate. Unfortunately because I'm not interested in watching people bang, this will be a complete skip for me.

I don't want to get involved with the trolls who have a problem with this drama so please don't lump me in with them, but let me explain something real quick.

"All these comments about it being western are so funny. do you think korean people don't have sex? Do you think korean lgbt people don't exist?"

I've never thought Koreans don't have sex. But I got sick and tired of the constant sexual content being shoved down my throat in western television and watching Korean dramas was my escape from that. Korean television tends to be much cleaner, period. Idk about other people who say this, but the reason *I* say Korean dramas are being westernized is because sex is becoming more and more prevalent in their *dramas*, and therefore becoming more like western tv. Has nothing to do with actual Korean people, just their television.

I came to the comment section, that's the only reason I knew to skip. MDL has it rated 18+ for "violence and profanity" and not sexual content.

" dont rate this drama low just because of ur weird fetish for south koreans being innocent and pure. They also have sex and desire sex like any other human being."

From my perspective I never once thought South Koreans were any different from anyone else. However some of us tire of being inundated with the sexual content of western television and found Korean dramas to be an escape from that. Because of that, it's sad and disheartening for me to see Korean dramas being westernized more and more. Not all of us want to watch people f*** each other on our TV screens. For some of us it's uncomfortable, and completely unnecessary to the plot of 99% of stories.

Not trying to start anything, just my opinion.

"Content Rating: 18+ Restricted (violence & profanity)"

Kinda sounds like they really need to add sexual content to that. From reading the comment section here, sounds like it's pretty explicit. I'm glad I read the comments and saved myself from getting scarred. (also very sad and disappointed because I left western shows over this kind of content and didn't want to see it more and more in korean dramas. Probably in the minority but oh well.)

I'll sadly be having to skip this drama because of the sexual content. Was very interested in the premise but I'm also against s*x and nudity scenes. I worry about the actresses and from my pov, it's uncomfortable to watch and doesn't enhance the story at all. Like you said, fan service.

After pretty much leaving western shows over this, I'm really sad and disappointed to see it becoming more common in Korean dramas.

Wow okay hahaha

I haven't seen the whole thing but I kind of think he does lol

"made me laugh the third time he died and that scene was in slow motion like wtf. Totally killed the serious vibe. " I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE. I was literally trying not to laugh in a scene that should have been heartbreaking lol. If there's one thing K-dramas are good at, it's heartbreaking scenes. How in the world this drama failed so much at that is beyond me.

Your review is pretty spot on. Such potential in the beginning, but it all went downhill with insanely repetitive scenarios and too much stuff that couldn't be taken seriously. Don't get me started on FL breaking ML's heart by lying to him that she didn't like him for the 500th time, ugh. They should have just had ML go back in time halfway through the drama like I wanted. Maybe then it wouldn't have gotten so dang redundant.

Pretty sad this drama turned out like this, I was so hopeful for it...