Lights, Camera… 1980s Scandal?
Veteran Korean actor Jin Seon-gyu showed up at the Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery on the morning of June 18 for the official press conference of Netflix’s upcoming K-drama AEMA. Dressed to impress and ready to talk, Jin joined the show’s high-profile lineup to tease what might be one of the most talked-about period dramas of the year.
What’s AEMA All About?
Scheduled for global release on June 22, AEMA dives deep into the racy, rebellious underbelly of 1980s South Korea—a time when the burgeoning film industry saw a wave of erotic films hit the mainstream. The fictional series reimagines this explosive era through the eyes of top star Hee-ran and rookie actress Joo-ae, who are drawn into the shady side of stardom as they chase artistic freedom and fame.
Think Blonde meets Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, but with a haunting Korean twist.
Star-Studded Cast at the Mic
Joining Jin Seon-gyu at the press event were director Lee Hae-young and lead actors Lee Ha-nee, Bang Hyo-rin, and Jo Hyun-chul. Together, they lifted the veil on a project they say is bold, unpredictable, and unapologetically raw.
“It’s more than a tribute to history—it’s a mirror to our industry,” said Jin, hinting at the meta-narrative at the heart of the show.
Why ‘AEMA’ Matters
Korean dramas have rarely ventured into this terrain, which makes AEMA a risky bet—but one with the potential to open up new conversations about censorship, artistry, and identity in Korean entertainment.
Will the world embrace this darker chapter of K-cinema’s past? We’ll find out soon enough—Netflix’s rollout ensures it’ll reach eyes far beyond the peninsula.
Now the only question left is: are audiences ready for a drama that doesn’t play nice?
