After a lesbian kiss scene was portrayed on an episode of jTBC drama Seonam Girls’ High School Investigators, debate regarding the portrayal of homosexuality in Korean media continues to grow.
After uproar involving the aforementioned scene, the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) met to determine whether or not the scene was fit for broadcast. Members of the commission discussed the topic of freedom of speech and expression, but also brought up morality and appropriateness of such a scene involving teenagers.
Aside from Seonam Girls’ High School Investigators, other television series such as KBS2 drama Daughters of Club Bilitis and SBS drama Life is Beautiful have also addressed the topic of homosexual relationships, and have been met with harsh criticism in the generally conservative South Korean society.
Members of an anti-gay broadcast KHTV 7000 argued that the media is trying to paint homosexuals in a sympathetic manner to manipulate viewers into accept gay characters, and claimed that “In a 2013 nationwide survey, 8 out of 10 Koreans were said to have been against gay love.” Others have suggested that the promotion or condoning of homosexuality in dramas may cause their children to change sexuality.
Despite such dramas receiving much criticism for their discussion of homosexuality, however, netizens have expressed their opposition against those who discriminate against the portrayal of homosexuals.
1. [+4,358, -317] They’re not even going to live in place of the gays so who are they to tell them what they can and can’t do ㅋ
2. [+3,791, -520] Where is even the evidence that being gay isn’t normal?
3. [+538, -59] Anyone who turns gay after watching a drama didn’t simply turn gay because of the drama ㅋㅋ They were probably already bi or gay to begin with
4. [+414, -72] As long as they don’t affect our lives, what’s the problem? They’re suffering enough as it is, we shouldn’t view them so negatively. It’s bias and stereotypes that are the problem.
Source: Kyunghyang
