Debates ongoing over lesbian kiss scene in JTBC drama

[theemii.livejournal.com]

Article: "We're in love too"... controversy over the portrayal of homosexual love in dramas

Source: Kyunghyang via Naver

Article is a continuation/follow-up of an earlier debate by the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) on whether a scene involving a kiss between two women on 'Sunam Girls High School' was 'fit for broadcast'.

At the meeting, a KCSC member (and former Daejun MBC CEO), argued, "I believe that dramas should protect the freedom of expression but there is still an issue with the portrayal of homosexual love, especially between teens, on TV. I don't think it's necessary. Is it okay to portray homosexual love like this?"


Another member (a lawyer), argued, "I don't intend to infringe on the rights of sexual minorities but I personally believe that they are suffering from a psychological disability. They are citizens, however, and have the right for their decisions to be protected but I am adamantly against homosexual love. We are debating whether a minute long kiss scene between two female high school students is considered beautiful, disgusting, or sexually provocative, but I personally felt disgusted. Many organizations found the portrayal of homosexual love between two high school students to be immoral and thus submitted this complaint. I also find it immoral."

Article then goes into a history of recent dramas who also touched on the gay topic and the repercussions they had to suffer at the hands of organizations who fought to take the drama down. "Life is Beautiful", despite being written by esteemed scriptwriter Kim Soo Hyun, received criticism for the 'acceptance of gay love', leading a mother's organization to put out an ad in the newspaper saying, "SBS needs to take responsibility if my son dies from aids after becoming gay from watching 'Life is Beautiful'!"

KBS drama special 'Daughters of Club Bilitis' which is about stories of lesbian love from all age groups, was not only under heated criticism but also forced to even stop allowing re-run services to prevent the drama from being watched.

SBS's "It's Okay It's Love" didn't have a character outright confirm that he was gay but it was heavily implied and "depicted in a positive manner", also leading to heavy criticism and leading to one-man protests in front of the SBS building. Members of an anti-gay broadcast 'KHTV 7000' argued, "The drama used the premise of a male transgender being abused by his family and forced into mental hospitals to depict gays as oppressed, weak people needing of the viewer's sympathy. They purposely manipulated the emotions of the viewers so that they cannot be helped but to accept the gay character under the circumstances. And with the psychologist character accepting gay characters as simply a matter of preference, the drama is also forcing viewers to accept it that way as well. In a 2013 nationwide survey, 8 out of 10 Koreans were said to have been against gay love."



1. [+5,755, -236] Instead of focusing on dramas about gay love, how about we talk about Im Sung Han's dramas. They're more makjang and can have a more negative affect. How about keeping those dramas off of broadcast?

2. [+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

3. [+4,099, -464] Who cares, they like each other and that's that

4. [+3,791, -520] Where is even the evidence that being gay isn't normal?

5. [+3,552, -369] I don't get why it's our business that gays like each other

6. [+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

7. [+548, -81] I don't hate or like gays but I really don't get people who feel the need to go as far as holding protests

8. [+438, -77] Why should anyone care who someone likes

9. [+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.

10. [+363, -61] I don't support gays but I don't put it down either. It's not my business if they like each other.


Source: Netizenbuzz (naver)

Comments

[laeryn.livejournal.com]

I was about to start screaming at something and then I read the netizens comments and wow. You know your "opinion" is shit when netizens show more common sense than you.

(Not that everything's perfect with the comments but I am surprised).

[aeromi.livejournal.com]

"[+363, -61] I don't support gays but I don't put it down either. It's not my business if they like each other"

*rolls eyes*

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

I personally believe that they are suffering from a psychological disability
bye

I really don't get why people care so much about other people preferences. In fact, I don't get why is so necessary to put a name at people's sexual orientation. But that's something that once it exists it has connotations whatever the way you identified.

And you can portray abusive relationships all the time (wrist grabbing, forceful kisses...) like is something romantic, but two people of the same sex having a personal relationship annoys you? Awesome, keep being this wonderful person.

[laeryn.livejournal.com]

It infuriates me. You can show all this unhealthy relationships as long as it's a man and a woman, but lord save us from the gays!!!11!! So what, gay is worse than abusive? Great message, yes.

[belintuchiha.livejournal.com]

I remember my mom once telling me "please be a hooker before being gay" lol
Homophobic parents are awful tbh
I'm not gay but it still makes me rage when people say stuff like this.
There's no respect for each other.

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, that's awful.
I cannot imagine my parents making a comment like that. In fact, I feel like they never made a comment about homosexuality because they don't even see why would anyone would have a problem with that. Well I remember once my father being really mad at a comment some spanish singers said about that they would rather have a sick son or dead than gay (the words were much worst but I don't feel good writing them).

[aleksu7.livejournal.com]

"I don't get why is so necessary to put a name at people's sexual orientation."

It's necessary because we're still being killed, because we're still being sent to prison, because we're still being beaten, because we're still being raped, sent to psychiatrics, being kick from home, face discrimination all days of our lives, being kick from jobs, etc. It's necessary because society doesn't see ourselves like "normal" or "regular" people, because they feel entitled to write articles about us, to talk about our lives, about who we are.
When all of this shit stop happening then, maybe, we could talk about getting rid of labels.

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

answering really late. But I know I wasn't explaining myself well because my english is not good. But read the second part: But that's something that once it exists it has connotations whatever the way you identified.

I was speaking historically, when it started to put names on sexual orientation. I know now, once it existed, IS A BIG DEAL how you identified because all the reasons you say. I just want you to know that I really think it is important. And in fact, I see as really dumb in the actual society to think is not necessary.

I'm not seeing this mad, I don't know how it translate the tone on the internet ;)

[aleksu7.livejournal.com]

Ah, no problem, english is not my first language either so I know what it feels when you can't explain yourself how you want :)
I see your point know, thnks.

[skyroll.livejournal.com]

"SBS needs to take responsibility if my son dies from aids after becoming gay from watching 'Life is Beautiful'!"

oh fuck off

[scheisse.livejournal.com]

this has to be satire. seriously.

[skyroll.livejournal.com]

i wish it was honestly, but i'm usually pessimistic with these topics

[lydiasummer.livejournal.com]

gay≠aids.

[jaeslurpy.livejournal.com]

agreeing with netizens for once. someone will turn gay after watching a drama..what? did the son confess to his mom he was gay and she blamed the drama cause lol lady take a step back and realize your son was gay all along.

also i'm wondering who took that survey considering most kpop fans have their gay ships and write/read fanfiction about them. (but then thats just a small percentage of the population)

[bloods-rose.livejournal.com]

I'm not quite sure how to phrase this and apologise if it comes out wrong - but I think shipping idols is a lot different from being accepting of homosexuality. Shipping can, not always, don't take me wrong, come across as an extension of the fangirling experience - fun, a way of "keeping it in the group" and at an extreme, fetishizing idols. Fanservice is just that, and fans know it. Its different from actually being accepting of it in real life (and between two guys who aren't hot and young. its amazing what people become tolerant of when its their idol and/or hot) Maybe I'm wrong but idk people can be different online or when they are in particular groups

[jaeslurpy.livejournal.com]

i understand what you're saying! it just seems weird to me that people can, as you said, accept fanservice and ship idols and keep it 'within the group' like you said but don't accept it in 'real life'. Like it seems hypocritical you know? but then i kinda feel like (not all obviously but atleast some) probably do accept homosexuality but keep it more quiet maybe. i know i used to be that way around my family because they are so conservative and religious and i kept my own feelings to myself and didn't speak out until i started getting older. (and now my family doesn't actually care either and even my cousin is gay. i thought my grandma would have something to say but she shrugged it off and say it was no ones business who he loves)

[gee.livejournal.com]

I know it's better not to care and the netizen comments are (mostly) nice but reading stuff like "they are suffering from a psychological disability", "I personally felt disgusted" and etc just. Makes my feelings go straight to shit. Fuck you. Who asked for your shitty opinion anyway, ugh.

[cettefemme90.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry it made you feel bad *hug*

If it's any consolation, the tide is definitely turning with regard to acceptance of homosexuality in Korea and elsewhere. Old bigots will die soon (not nice to say that but they're not nice either!) and younger bigots will have their bigotry drowned out and will be considered silly by most other people.

I'm straight but the change in opinion cannot come soon enough. Love is love regardless of the gender of the people who love each other and it breaks my heart to see how much LGBT suffer and have suffered in the past. It's senseless.

Also, that lawyer guy seems to be suffering from a psychology disability known as 'a pathological lack of compassion and empathy'.

[love-keiko.livejournal.com]

smfh. that episode was so well done and the kiss was 100% beautiful so they can fuck right the fuck off.

i mean, really now. ppl can sit through dramas of women being berated, abused, stalked, and murdered but KISSING each other is where they draw the line?

m'kay.

[oppameansit.livejournal.com]

"SBS needs to take responsibility if my son dies from aids after becoming gay from watching 'Life is Beautiful'!"

you can get aids from a tv show now?

also lol "becoming gay"

[tree-star123.livejournal.com]

It seems like "lesbian love" is more controversial because there were homosexual guys in love in dramas before. (Idk I feel like male actors were praised for playing such difficult roles as gay men)

It's also annoying when ppl say it's a phase. Instead of the mother blaming the drama, she should try to understand her son..

[iznanassi.livejournal.com]

Obvious that lawyer can't practice law without bias, they shouldn't even be allowed to practice imo.

[angel-9-lives.livejournal.com]

one of the few times I don't want to come through the computer screen and smack the shit outta the netizens...

9. [+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.

+1

ugh, this after having to argue with an idiot about whether or not being gay is a choice -_-*

[lysblack.livejournal.com]

[platformfire.livejournal.com]

this comic gets me every time, i never fail to laugh lol

[catallenachic.livejournal.com]

OMG, I've never seen that before! XD

Thank you for making me laugh, this post was making me really upset and sad.

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

it's really ridiculous because it shows we have a bunch of asshats for a panel that gets to determine what gets put on tv and what doesn't and they don't even try to hide that they're letting personal bias into the matter.

like, fuck, one of the morning dramas airing right now just had the villain threaten the leads with illegally recorded sex tape - that shit can fly but two girls kissing doesn't, wtf.

[szhuns.livejournal.com]

i just want to give everyone in this thread a hug. i know we don't always agree with each other on omona but it's so nice to see the supportive comments here and know that even though there are some ignorant people in this world, there are also plenty of people with their heads in the right place. you guys are all awesome <3

[platformfire.livejournal.com]

<3

[prlsb4swiine.livejournal.com]

this is exactly the kind of shit those two characters were dealing with!! Like honestly they went through so much pain bc of the shit people were giving them and still were able to love each other and protect each other and it was such a beautiful scene with so much emotion and im honestly just so heartbroken and disgusted right now
this is exactly why that kiss needed to air, why that narrative needed to be brought to the light

[revertigo.livejournal.com]

Is it okay to portray homosexual love like this?

yes. move along now.

[marsinblue.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I just can't believe in some of the things that have been written.
Also, wth to what that committee said about 'It's OK, It's love". Are you serious? They're angry because the writers 'manipulated' the audience into sympathising with a gay character that they should otherwise despise? WTF.

Also, even though I was happy about the Netizen comments, it did remind me about a lecture we had about 'Tolerance' in Philosophy class. We were discussing how Tolerance is not necessarily a positive attitude. A lot of times people take it as "I'll live in my circle, you live in yours. I'll let you go on with your life and won't interfere with yours as long as you don't interfere or interact with mine". Although it's not the worst attitude to have, it ends up being the type of attitude that is responsible for the fact that relationships and mentalities don't improve, since you don't make an effort to understand, sympathise and befriend people that are different from you.

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

This whole article is so cringeworthy!

I can't believe that we live in 2015 and some people still think that homosexuality is an illness. It makes me want to punch the wall! >:(

[audiograms.livejournal.com]

yeah television totally made me gay, I want to smack the shit out of anyone who thinks sexual orientation is anyone's fucking business, dramas show some fucked up relationships but it's hetero so it's OK? Yeah the gay agenda is totally to give everyone aids...obviously.

[blushingtabi.livejournal.com]

I saw the kiss episode, but still watching the follow up episode/investigation. It was a smart and tactfully done storyline, especially for an all girls school.

I think the writers did a good job of having mixed feelings amongst the investigators and letting them come to the conclusion that even if you're not as comfortable with homosexualit,, it is not a crime nor something worth punishment.

It's sad that these fictional young students are more sensible than lawyers and adults in real life.

[achan123.livejournal.com]

why are people so stupid and mean? :(

[aleksu7.livejournal.com]

Fucking tired about shits like this...