A Guide to South Korean CENSORSHIP

Whether it's tattoos, alcohol, cigarettes, weapons and of course nudity, most of us drama addicts have at some point run into a blurred square on our screen that made us go "What is that? It's so obvious what is it, so why have it?"

It is, of course, the very sinner himself, the censorship. *Cue dramatic music*

So what's the deal with the blurry items in the dramas? Why are they in front of us and how is it not applied when they're using tools in, say, a kitchen? Those big bad boys are just as capable of slicing up your worst enemy as the next murder weapon.

I'll be dealing with this topic in this article - Please enjoy.

*Disclaimer*

Of course, Asia is a mixture of different countries with different rules regarding Censorship, hence the same rules/laws do not always apply to all Asian countries - Please take this into consideration. Also, I've chosen to limit this article to South Korea alone. Whether these laws/regulations apply to other countries is not documented and will not be discussed in this article. I am in no way an expert on this subject but merely an individual who has access to a computer with internet. All I've done is collect information on the subject.

So, without further ado, let's start this guide!

In South Korea, there are specific rules to what can be broadcast and what cannot. The KCSC, or the Korea Communications Standards Commission, is the body of the South Korean internet censorship. They have made a list of what cannot show up on Korean television without our loveable blurred blobs.

According to rule number 81, Art 37 of KCSC Rules states: "The following items, which may convey excessive shock, anxiety or disgust to viewers, may not be broadcast. There may be limited exceptions if such depiction is unavoidable in discussing the content; even in such cases, expression of these items must be approached cautiously." - meaning they can't air without being censored. So, let's take a look at the disclosed criteria.

1. Graphic depiction of beheading, strangulation or dismemberment. 2. Direct depiction of the moment of suicide, or depiction that implies the method of suicide. 3. Graphic depiction of killing or maiming with firearms, knives or other tools. 4. Depiction of mangled corpse or body parts. 5. Graphic depiction of the killing of an animal. 6. Other depictions that are similar to the above.

So, by law, the networks, such as the awesome SBS and jTBC, have to comply with the law and add those dreaded censored clouds.

Cigarettes

Had a rough day? Want to relax by taking a breather and smoking a cigarette? Not on Korean television, you don't.

In 2015, TradingEconomics made a study on the consumption of cigarettes in South Korea. You're probably thinking, what's that got to do with anything, but stay with me for a second.

In the study, it states that South Korea's smoking rate is 49.8 percent amongst male citizens over the age of 15. In comparison, a study of Belgium showed a rate of 26.5 percent in 2015. That shows a larger rate in South Korea than in Belgium.

We, as mere peasants, aren't the only ones that caught wind of the displeasing news. So, the government tried decreasing the number of smokers by forcing significant price hikes, financial incentives and medical help for quitting smoking, mandatory warning photos on the packs, advertising bans, and of course, our lovely ban in the drama world also known as censorship.

But, at least we can enjoy the directors' creative ways of going around the censorship, such as standing on a rooftop multiple times during the lifespan of a drama without lighting a cigarette but keeping it unlit in your mouth throughout the whole scene. - We're not judging, merely appreciating.

Knives

So, we've all been there. The evil villain is heading straight towards you - what do you do? Do you A: Take your chances and run for it, hoping the sexy male lead will save you on time or B: Take the blurred "is-that-a-knife?" and cut him up.

While you might be brave and take option B, you can take a look to the side and see KCSC shaking their heads at you.

Knives. I think this was my first meeting with the censorship. Probably yours as well. Let me know in the comment section?

So, what's the reason for blurring out knives in the first place? Well, take a wild guess... I'm waiting.

The KCSC. Yup, didn't really surprise anyone there. If you have read until this point, you have also read the above-mentioned criteria regarding the censorship.

However, one big question remains: "Why not the kitchen knives?"

The answer is more simple than you probably imagined. A kitchen knife is indeed a potential murder weapon, but so is a car. It's the intention of the knife that matters. (This is also why you can experience that in one scene the knife is visible and in the next it's blurry). It's all about what the wielder is using the knife for - and don't come here saying that cutting a few onions is the same as slicing up the old ajumma next door because she slapped you with kimchi yesterday. Yes, I went there. My career as a comedian is as clear as the censored knife above.

Tattoos

Fancy a dragon tattoo down your left arm? - Sure, just don't expect it to show up on TV.

Although the very act of getting a tattoo isn't illegal, the military doesn't accept men with larger tattoos on their body. In South Korea, you as a man will at some point between the age of 18 to 35 be enlisted in the South Korean mandatory service program. It basically means you're forced to enlist in the military for about two years' time. However, with that back tattoo you wanted, you can "dodge the bullet" if you know what I mean. - It's, of course, not something the Koreans will clap their hands at.

Also, for many decades the tattoos have been a sign of organized crime organizations referred to as the Jo-Pok in South Korea. It's the Korean equivalent of the Japanese Yakuza and Chinese Triad.

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks for reading!

Check out:

-> Adventures in Kdrama Censorship