Same-sex love stories, once mostly seen on OTT platforms and in indie films, are now breaking through the walls of Korea’s primetime living rooms.
Just a few years ago, LGBTQ themes in TV dramas were treated as shocking and provocative, often sparking fierce backlash. A prime example is TV Chosun’s 2023 drama Durian’s Affair. In its very first episode, daughter-in-law Jang Semi (played by Yoon Hae-young) confessed her love to her mother-in-law Baek Do-i (Choi Myung-gil), stunning viewers with a taboo-busting storyline. While the bold twist sent the show’s buzz soaring, several civic groups protested its depiction and demanded edits. The network eventually complied and altered the footage, highlighting the clear limits of using queer themes as mere shock value rather than as a justified part of the narrative.
By contrast, ENA’s Monday–Tuesday drama Climax, which wrapped on April 14 to strong reviews, pulled viewers in with a different approach. Ha Ji-won, playing top star Chu Sang-ah, who falls from grace over a same-sex scandal and claws her way back, unveiled a side of herself the public had never seen. She delivered a tender, convincing arc with her girlfriend Han Dong-hee and portrayed the crushing grief of losing her—while boldly taking on a headline-making kiss and bed scene with Nana. Viewers were shocked by her fearless transformation yet applauded how she went beyond cheap provocation to render a complex inner life with real conviction. The drama even hit No. 1 for TV-OTT drama buzz on Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex, proving the massive interest it generated.
Fresh off this difficult challenge, Ha Ji-won said, "There were so many emotionally intense scenes that it was physically and mentally tough, but I’m proud that people appreciated this new transformation," adding, "This project helped me break one more layer of my own limits." Her words hint at the passion and sincerity she brought to the role.
In the end, the contrasting reactions to Durian’s Affair and Climax suggest the issue isn’t the subject itself but how it’s told. Even a supposedly taboo theme can win audiences over if it’s woven naturally into the story and performed with genuine intent. If same-sex love is treated as a genre in its own right—with characters’ emotions drawn persuasively—expect greater freedom of expression on Korean TV and a wider spectrum for K-dramas going forward.