Debate on Broadcast Standards Sparked by Smoking Scenes in Suzy’s OTT Role

Netflix’s series ‘Doona!’ has generated considerable debate due to its lead actress, Suzy, frequently depicted smoking throughout the episodes.

While traditional television dramas and variety shows often impose limits on smoking portrayals, streaming services like Netflix present these scenes freely. This approach is intended to enhance authenticity but raises concerns about potentially normalizing smoking among younger viewers.

The disparity in regulatory standards between conventional TV and over-the-top (OTT) platforms is at the center of this discussion. The growing prominence of Netflix exacerbates the challenges faced by traditional broadcasting networks.

Another Netflix production, ‘The Chef in Black and White,’ encountered criticism for its content as well. The champion contestant, Kwon Seong-jun, displays numerous tattoos, while Yoon Nam-no’s character, ‘Crazy Cook,’ frequently utilizes vulgar language—elements that would typically be subject to censorship in conventional television.

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During a seminar focused on “Establishing a Fair Competitive Atmosphere for Paid Broadcasting,” Professor Shim Mi-seon from Soonchunhyang University emphasized that the success of shows like ‘The Chef in Black and White’ on Netflix has resulted in mixed feelings. Productions such as ‘Squid Game,’ ‘I Am God,’ and ‘The Chef in Black and White’ benefit from the more lenient regulations of OTT platforms.

She further elaborated, “Content featuring tattoos and explicit language would normally face strict editing on television. Without such constraints, broadcasters risk facing penalties in post-production.”

Critics contend that global OTT platforms like Netflix operate under more flexible regulations, creating an imbalance in the media landscape, while traditional broadcasters bear the burden of stringent regulations that complicate their operational viability.

According to Hwang Yu-seon from the Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI), the expansion of OTT services is intensifying market competition, highlighting the urgent need for reform in broadcasting regulations.

The ongoing regulatory disparities have left paid television services in a precarious position, with annual revenue declining rapidly as they compete against platforms like Netflix.

Professor Shim added that “premiere reality shows are now predominantly exclusive to Netflix, relegating Korean production companies to a subcontractor role in this Netflix-centric ecosystem.”

Source: Daum

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