[비즈한국] Do you know ‘Madame Aema’? It is a box-office hit that represented the erotic films of the 1980s, producing a staggering 13 sequels, and is recognized for its independent portrayal of female desire (sexual desire). This erotic film fit perfectly into the 3S (Sports, Screen, Sex) policy implemented by the Chun Doo-hwan administration to divert public backlash against their military dictatorship, becoming so popular that the glass doors of movie theaters were shattered by the surging crowds. The Netflix series ‘Aema’ is a unique fictional comedy and alternative history piece based on this legendary film.
The year is 1981, a new era as Seoul prepares to become the host of the Summer Olympics for the first time in South Korean history. And here, we have top star Jung Hee-ran (Lee Hanee), who dreams of a new leap forward in this new age. Although she gained attention for her exposure roles in the 70s, she is fed up with the practices of Chungmuro (the Korean film industry) that only seek to make her undress. She has just one more film left to shoot for Shinseung Film company CEO Goo Joong-ho (Jin Seon-kyu) before her grueling exclusive contract expires, and that film is none other than ‘Madame Aema,’ a script where the word "breasts" covers every page. Enraged, Hee-ran holds a press conference to declare that she will no longer perform exposure scenes, prompting a furious Goo Joong-ho to hold a massive audition. In this audition, nightclub dancer Shin Joo-ae (Bang Hyo-rin) catches the eyes of rookie director Kwak In-woo (Cho Hyun-chul) and Goo Joong-ho, landing the lead role.
Hee-ran, suddenly demoted from lead to supporting, and Shin Joo-ae, who aspires to become a top star with overflowing ambition; Goo Joong-ho, who wants to achieve commercial success by making "a horny movie" at any cost, and Kwak In-woo, who has the aspiration to express his artistic vision in his first film. With each of them looking in different directions, conflict is inevitable. Moreover, even though the Yushin era has passed, it is still an age where barbarism runs rampant. Government censorship forces a total rewrite of the script, and when filming is suspended for mysterious reasons, Hee-ran and Joo-ae are summoned to a suspicious event called the ‘Grand Banquet.’ Can ‘Madame Aema’ really be made? Who among Hee-ran, Joo-ae, Joong-ho, and In-woo will manage to achieve what they want?
Since ‘Madame Aema,’ the subject of the drama, is a quintessential erotic film, primary interest might naturally gravitate toward provocative elements like the level of exposure and depictions of sexuality. In 2025, there might be concerns about portraying a film industry that sexually exploited women and forced them to undress. Surprisingly, ‘Aema’ cleverly sidesteps all these concerns. While there are, naturally, depictions of exposure and eroticism, they do not make the audience feel uncomfortable. Fundamentally, this is a story of people standing up to an age of barbarism, as well as a female narrative depicting the solidarity and growth of Hee-ran and Joo-ae. Watching them ride horses and charge forward relentlessly—an image long considered a symbol of eroticism—naturally brings to mind Thelma and Louise driving their Ford Thunderbird toward the horizon.
Of course, one cannot help but frown at the behavior of the vile characters, including Goo Joong-ho, who shows the "pinnacle of scum-like behavior," Chief Choi (Lee Sung-wook) who acts as a henchman for power, and the dictator (Kim Jun-bae) and the sports entertainment newspaper manager (Park Hae-joon) who try to prey on women with their power. However, the solidarity of those speaking out in an age of barbarism—Geun-ha (Lee Joo-young), the production team rookie who supports Joo-ae’s acting challenge; master director Kwon Do-il (Kim Jong-soo) who helps Hee-ran with her gambit; designer Paul Ko (Ahn Gil-kang), who seemed like an opportunist but kept his loyalty; and Reporter Yang (Lee Hong-nae), who tries to listen to the voices of the socially vulnerable like factory workers—resonates with a quite warm impact.
The highlight of the series is the perfect acting ensemble that brings the fierce struggle of the film production team to life, sometimes comically, sometimes seriously. Lee Hanee, considered an actress optimized for independent female characters, is like a fish in water. Donning the 80s-specific tone, vocalization, and the glamorous visual of a leading lady, she exerts a powerful charm that instantly captivates the viewer. Could there be any other actress as perfect for the "cool older sister" Jung Hee-ran? The presence of Bang Hyo-rin, who plays Joo-ae and isn't outshone by Hee-ran’s momentum, is also substantial. Despite her fresh face, her acting is far from that of a novice. In addition, actors like Jin Seon-kyu, Cho Hyun-chul, Kim Jong-soo, Lee Sung-wook, and Park Hae-joon realistically portray characters who seem to have just jumped out of that era.
‘Aema’ is the first drama directed by Lee Hae-young, who has captivated the public with his unique style and storytelling through films like ‘Like a Virgin,’ ‘Believer,’ and ‘Phantom.’ It is scheduled to be released on August 22 at 4 PM, and with only 6 episodes, it is easy to binge. As the tagline "An age that only tried to make her undress, she flips it wildly" suggests, enjoy the performance of women who flip the script in a hot and exhilarating way.
Who is the writer Jung Soo-jin?
I have covered and written about film, travel, and pop culture while working at various magazines. I don't want to fall behind trends, but I've become an old-school person who predicts obvious clichés in the next scene while watching the latest dramas. I am currently trying to regain my lost sense of judgment while drifting through the vast world of OTT, and my current wish is for an integrated OTT subscription plan.