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The Korea Times

By Kwak Yeon-soo
With alcohol consumption increasingly common on Korean television, some concerned viewers and experts are asking whether there might be too many drinking scenes on the screen.
The increasing displays of drinking on television may reflect the medium’s increased respect for realism.
Netflix’s Paik’s Spirit, released in October 2021, features culinary star Paik Jong-won and celebrity guests talking about life over intoxicating meals. Korean actress Han Ji-min, who appeared as a guest in the second episode, later said in an interview that she felt less pressure drinking in front of the camera on the show because of the platform on which it was shown.


“I would have been hesitant to appear in the show if it aired on one of three major broadcasters. But since it’s an over-the-top [OTT, or streaming service] platform, I felt I could be more true to myself,” Han said.
The OTT and cable television revolution have changed the way alcohol is portrayed. Tving’s Work Later, Drink Now, renewed for a second season this year, centres on three drinking buddies who hang out in a bar every day.
Fan Bingbing to make Korean TV debut – K-drama casting latest
“Heavy drinking inflicts damage on the body, but you might want to loosen up a bit while drinking, at least once in your life. No one has a perfect life,” the drama’s screenwriter, Wi So-young, says.
Alcohol acts as the central theme in several shows currently on air.
Drinking Friends, a talk show that started in December 2021 on iHQ, features celebrities gabbing over life lessons while consuming drinks with the guests. Local Table, which kicked off in February on MBC, has celebrities travelling, drinking and eating local food.

The Korea Health Promotion Institute examined 219 of the most-watched dramas and 438 popular reality shows aired in 2021. Each episode had an average of 2.3 scenes involving alcohol.
It claimed that portrayals of characters in shows consuming alcohol significantly influence viewers. Depictions of people drinking have been shown to increase the social acceptance of alcohol and further cue cravings.
According to a survey conducted by the institute, 47 per cent of the 1,057 respondents – from 20 to 64 years old – answered that they had the urge to drink after watching a drinking scene on television.
Want to continue Dry January the rest of the year? Experts offer tips
“Depictions of drinking are gaining popularity across OTT platforms and social media because they impose less restrictions,” says Kang Chang-bum, an official at the Korea Health Promotion Institute. “Drinking scenes have the risk of romanticising or encouraging heavy drinking and are often linked to lewd or violent content.”
The research team also suggested that government intervention through public policy is necessary.
“Right now, government policies to reduce the negative consequences of drinking are focused on changing the public perception around excessive drinking,” Kang says. “The government should intervene to regulate inappropriate depictions of drinking in the media.”
Read the original story at The Korea Times


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Do K-dramas and Korean TV shows have an alcohol problem?

Some viewers of K-dramas and other South Korean TV shows such as Netflix’s Paik’s Spirit are asking whether there might be too many drinking scenes on the screen. Photo: Netflix

Korean restaurateur Paik Jong-won (right) in Netflix’s original series Paik’s Spirit (2021). Photo: Netflix

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Women whose husbands have been convicted under Bihar’s prohibition law in Jehanabad district. Photo: AFP

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South Korean screen icon Kim Hye-soo in Netflix’s socially minded legal K-drama Juvenile Justice. Photo: Swann Studio/Netflix

Kim Hye-soo (left) and Lee Sung-min in a scene from Juvenile Justice. Photo: Swann Studio/Netflix

Lee Yeon in a still from Juvenile Justice. Photo: Swann Studio/Netflix

A still from Juvenile Justice. Photo: Swann Studio/Netflix

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Kombucha and the health benefits of tea drink loved by Lady Gaga, Kourtney Kardashian, Halle Berry and Gwyneth Paltrow

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Lifestyle

K-drama

Entertainment

Culture

Film & TV

K-Pop


Some viewers and experts are worried K-dramas and other Korean shows may contain too many drinking scenes
One study of 219 of the most-watched dramas and 438 popular reality shows aired in 2021 found each episode contained an average of 2.3 scenes involving alcohol



With alcohol consumption increasingly common on Korean television, some concerned viewers and experts are asking whether there might be too many drinking scenes on the screen.


Netflix

TV shows and streaming video

Do K-dramas and Korean TV shows have an alcohol problem?

Some viewers and experts are worried K-dramas and other Korean shows may contain too many drinking scenes One study of 219 of the most-watched dramas and 438 popular reality shows aired in 2021 found each episode contained an average of 2.3 scenes involving alcohol

Some viewers and experts are worried K-dramas and other Korean shows may contain too many drinking scenes

One study of 219 of the most-watched dramas and 438 popular reality shows aired in 2021 found each episode contained an average of 2.3 scenes involving alcohol