Korean Drama 'Our Gap Soon,' 'The K2' Receive Ruling From KCSC? Will They Continue To Air?

Violent scenes and half nakedness take toll on SBS' "Our Gap Soon" and TVN's "The K2" dramas. Reports suggest that the Korean Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) has finally announced its verdict with regard to the controversial scenes.

In a report by Soompi, the 35th hearing by the broadcast deliberations committee was held on October 12 at Yangcheon District, Seoul. The dramas responded and considered the issue as a prime agenda on that day.

SBS' "Our Gap Soon" airs every Sundays and Saturdays at 21:00 time slot and replaced the previous drama "Yeah, That's How It Is." "Our Gap Soon" stars Kim So-eun (as Shin Gap-soon) and Song Jae-rim (as Heo Gap-dol). According to Asianwiki, "Our Gap Soon" landed Song Jae-rim his first ever break in a network TV drama series.

According to Soompi, the controversial scene features the lead character Shin Gap-soon and his male counterpart Heo Gap-dol in a heated argument over a breakup. The scene that sparked controversy was when Gap-dol cornered and pushed against the wall the crying and resisting Gap-soon and he forcibly kisses her.

Therefore, a hearing was conducted to weigh in the said "portrayal of dating violence" breaching the Broadcasting Deliberation Regulation 27, Clause Five on the Maintenance of Dignity, as well as Article 30, Clause 2 or Gender Equality. On the contrary, KCSC ruled "Our Gap Soon" cleared.

While the action-packed and bolder scenes of TVN's "The K2" also led to such extremes. The controversial part portrays a naked fighting scene, keeping the actors' pelvis area the only body part censored.

In the particular episode, Kim Je-ha, a bodyguard played by Ji Chang-wook, was having a fierce combat with some bodyguards in the public bath house. Soompi reported that the Broadcasting Deliberation Regulation Article 27, Clause Five or Maintenance of Dignity was breached. The review told "The K2" that such scenes are not suitable for wholesome family audiences watching the 8pm time slot and should veer away from such scenes.

Despite the recommendation, both the dramas will continue to air in SBS and TVN in their respective timeslots.