Approaching its premiere, JTBC’s new Korean drama starring Han Ji Min and Lee Min Ki, “Behind Your Touch” (also known as “Hip”) gets entangled in a sexual harassment controversy. But what really happened behind the issue? And does the drama truly lack sensitivity towards gender recognition? Check out the following complete report and the director’s clarification for a more comprehensive explanation.
“Behind Your Touch” (previously “Hip”) Korean Drama Faces Sexual Harassment Controversy
JTBC’s new Korean drama “Behind Your Touch” (a.k.a “Hip”) has been one of the most highly-anticipated projects this month. Not only does it feature two of the most brilliant South Korean actors Han Ji Min and Lee Min Ki, but the new drama also cast top-tier Korean idol EXO Suho.
Unfortunately, ahead of its premiere, “Behind Your Touch” faces an unexpected sexual harassment controversy. And it’s all because of the drama’s preliminary video trailers.
The Sexual Harassment Controversy Surrounding Han Ji Min and Lee Min Ki New Drama
Last week, JTBC released a preliminary video trailer of its upcoming Korean drama, “Behind Your Touch”. The trailer showed Han Ji Min playong the main character, a female veterinarian with the ability to see into the past of both animals and humans.
The initial storyline of “Behind Your Touch” new drama starring Han Ji Min and Lee Min Ki revolves around the two main characters: a veterinarian with supernatural power and an ordinary detective, who join hands to solve a murder mystery involving a serial killer.
However, the trailer of Han Ji Min and Lee Min Ki new drama shocked the viewers with unexpected scenes.
In the early scenes, Han Ji Min’s character acquires new supernatural power. This power allows her to see beyond the past of everything she touches, including animals and humans.
Even when the storyline seems to be unique, the issue arises from specific scenes.
After acquiring the new power, Han Ji Min character began randomly touching the body parts of humans and animals. But instead of touching more appropriate body parts, the power of Han Ji Min character seems to appear only when she touches a more sensitive part of the body: the buttocks.
As if it wasn’t bad enough, the female veterinarian inappropriately touched buttocks of various male characters in the drama. This action has been criticized for seemingly promoting ‘lack of gender sensitivity’, ‘glamorizing sexual harassment’, and conveying ‘hatred towards men’.
On top of everything, the controversy got worse after the poster appeared with the tagline, “My hands are innocent”. This tagline is problematic as it appears to trivialize the issue of sexual harassment towards men.
What REALLY Happened?
Still, does the new drama truly promote sexual harassment towards men?
Various comments emerged in the South Korean community forum, TheQoo, criticizing the supernatural power appearing when the character touches a person’s butt. Netizens believe that, although meant for humor, the drama could have chosen more appropriate body parts for the storyline.
However, as the scenes in the trailer continue, Lee MinKi, who played the male detective in “Behind Your Touch”Korean drama caught Han Ji Min’s character in the act. He then approached the female veterinarian and put a cuff on her hands. Other times, he even pulled her and slammed her body to the ground due to her actions.
These scenes prove that even when “Behind Your Touch” Korean drama involves touching human butts in the storyline, it does not promote such action as ‘appropriate’ and ‘acceptable’.
Director’s Clarification
Director Kim Seok Yoon clarifies the sexual harassment controversy surrounding “Behind Your Touch”:
“I’ve heard about people’s concerns after seeing the edited footage of the drama. However, I believe that context is essential. Without it, the scenes will seem a lot different. There is nothing to worry about because I think the misunderstanding will clear up once you watch the show.”
“Behind Your Touch” director Kim Seok Yoon.
Finally, what’s your opinion on the new “Behind Your Touch” Korean drama starring Han Ji Min and Lee Min Ki? Do the scenes truly promote sexual harassment towards men? Please share your thoughts in the comments. And stay with Kpoppost’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram channel for more updates.
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