Korean drama The Queen Who Crowns has sparked heated debate due to its explicit scenes, with many questioning whether such exposure was necessary for the story. The scenes featuring actress Cha Joo-young and Lee Yi-dam include bold sex scenes and exposure of both actors. For the same reason, critics argue that these scenes are more for attention-grabbing purposes than actual storytelling.
The production team of drama decided to amplify exposure scenes during the stage of production. While the original script does mention sex scenes, it reportedly did not call for explicit exposure. However, the production team uses body doubles and CG to heighten the level of exposure, sparking backlash.
The drama aired on OTT platforms with edited scenes for a “15+” rating, while uncut versions with “19+” content remained available. Critics argue these explicit scenes are unnecessary for plot comprehension, accusing the production team of “noise marketing” to attract viewers.
According to reports, the actresses were unaware of the extent of exposure until the continuity stage. Both Cha Joo-young and Lee Yi-dam filmed these scenes while clothed, with body doubles used for the explicit parts. CG was employed to superimpose the actresses’ faces onto the body doubles, intensifying the scenes.
Ghost Studio agency of the lead actress Cha Joo-young reportedly requested edits to remove the controversial scenes before the broadcast, but the production team declined. Following the release, the explicit scenes were widely shared online, causing significant distress to the actresses.
The “Queen Who Crowns” controversy highlights the ethical concerns of using explicit content to boost viewership. Critics argue that strong storytelling, not shock value, should be the focus of dramas.
Source – Munhwa Korea
