The production team of 'Wongyeong', which has been embroiled in controversy over 19+ direction and forced exposure, explained that they had "discussed it in advance," but public criticism continues regarding the reduction of women's bodies to mere spectacles.
The tvN X TVING original drama 'Wongyeong', which premiered on the 6th, centers around Queen Wongyeong (Cha Joo-young), who seized power alongside her husband, King Taejong Lee Bang-won (Lee Hyun-wook). It tells a passionate story hidden between the king and queen, husband and wife. The narrative of this politically partnered couple has been newly created and interpreted from Wongyeong's perspective.
The difference in content between the TV broadcast version and the OTT (online video service) version of 'Wongyeong' has become a topic of discussion. Unlike the tvN broadcast version, Tving released a 'not suitable for minors' version that included bold bed scenes with Cha Joo-young and Lee Hyun-wook, as well as exposure and sexual scenes featuring actress Lee Yi-dam.
After these scenes became a hot topic, it was revealed that the 19+ scenes were filmed with a body double instead of the original cast, leading to further controversy. The actors reportedly only learned about the high level of exposure during the storyboard stage before filming. Their agencies cautiously requested edits regarding the level of exposure before the broadcast, but this was reportedly dismissed on the grounds that the scenes were necessary. Ultimately, Cha Joo-young and Lee Yi-dam filmed the scenes while clothed, and later, scenes filmed by a fully exposed body double were digitally edited in.
As the controversy continued, director Kim Sang-ho of 'Wongyeong' stated through a media outlet, "It wasn't so much that we filmed the exposure scenes with a directorial intent, but rather there were demands from the channel," keeping his comments brief.
Ultimately, a representative from 'Wongyeong' stated on the 16th regarding the controversy over the exposure scenes in the drama, "From the initial planning stage, we differentiated between the tvN and OTT versions, and we openly communicated that the OTT version would be produced with a 'not suitable for minors' rating. It was also made clear that there would be exposure scenes. The level of exposure was discussed individually with each actor based on the characteristics of their characters and scenes, and consultations were held with the agencies and each actor at various stages of production."
This is not the first time Tving has been embroiled in controversy over exposure scenes. The Tving original 'Queen Woo' released in September last year also faced criticism for excessive exposure and sexual scenes, leading to discussions about its sensationalism and provocation.
From the first episode, 'Queen Woo' featured unnecessary high-level exposure scenes that drew frowns. It showed a scene where a minor actress's body was filmed from explicit angles under the pretext of cooling down the character Go Guk-cheon (Ji Chang-wook), and it also included a scene where Woo Hee (Jeon Jong-seo) engages in a sexual encounter with a female high priest.
The explanation of '19+ exposure agreement' is not the essence of the controversy. Questions and criticisms continue regarding why high-level direction was necessary, even going so far as to use CG processing after filming with a body double.
Criticism that unnecessary bed scenes and exposure are being used as spectacles in dramas has existed for a long time, but since the rise of OTT, scenes utilizing women's bodies as spectacles have increased. It seems difficult for 'Wongyeong' to avoid criticism that it forcibly included exposure scenes to secure paid subscribers for Tving.
[Shin Young-eun, Star Today Reporter]
