The Rise Of Korean Dramas Along With Cheating In South Korea

JAKARTA - Korean drama The Penthouse 2 started airing its first episode on Friday, February 19 on SBS television station. This event is one of the most talked about Korean dramas by the public today.

The theme of The Penthouse 2 still takes the conflict in the middle of Hera Palace which is related to family, friendship, and even affairs, which are the main topics of this Korean drama.

This drama phenomenon about illicit relations is indeed in demand by the people of South Korea, but how do South Koreans see infidelity?

In 2015, South Korea's Constitutional Court declared adultery legal and not criminal. For 62 years, there was a rule that if you cheated on your husband or wife in South Korea, you could be jailed for up to two years but that sentence is no longer valid.

“Human dignity and the pursuit of happiness are every individual's right to choose their destiny. And the right to choose fate includes things to have sex and choose a partner, "the judge told CNN International.

Initially, this law was created to protect women. Usually, men who are said to be stronger socially and economically tend to take advantage of women. As a result, if a husband is indicted, the woman who is injured will receive compensation.

This rule was first formalized in 1953 and in 2008, it was revised. But since then Yonhap media has reported 5,500 people have been involved in the case on charges of adultery outside of marriage. Most of these cases do not end up in courtrooms but the figures above prove that there have been many cases of adultery even though the law has spoken.

In 2016, a survey conducted by Heyday involving 1090 men and women aged 20 years showed that more than 53.7 percent of men over the age of 50 have had an affair. This figure is quite high compared to women which only reached 9.6 percent.

Doctor Kang Dong-Woo mentioned the drastically different numbers of men and women due to rampant prostitution, which is mostly carried out by men.

Why is the rate of cheating in South Korea so high? This happens because of the Confucian beliefs of China where patriarchy is still embedded in every family. A husband or father must show dominance and kindness over their wives.

The wife must also obey and respect her husband. Men are considered to be the ultimate decision makers. As the holder of authority, men feel empowered to do various things, including finding someone other than their partner.

However, this does not mean that all Korean men cheat, it's just that because they legalize cheating, this action takes root in South Korean society.

The World of the Married, which airs in 2020, is a turning point for Korean dramas with the theme of affairs. This drama broadcast received a rating of 28 percent and was named the highest rated Korean drama in 2020.

Long before The World of the Married, various television channels tried to present the reality of infidelity every year but the popularity of The World of the Married grew thanks to the existence of word of mouth, where this drama was widely discussed by communities and forums in South Korea and internationally.

Various portraits of infidelity are depicted in various versions both criminally and dramatically. The VIP created by SBS in 2019 presented an affair between co-workers, while Channel A's Love Affairs in the Afternoon of the same year tells of an affair amidst boredom will live.

There is also a Korean drama entitled My Wife is Having an Affair on JTBC in 2016 which was made humorously even though the story is related to cheating and adultery.

Looking at some of the examples above can be the answer why Korean dramas about dark relationships always attract interest. With this issue, the production house can present different points of view and background in the storytelling. Not to mention, most of the dramas like this are starred by adult players so they also act professionally.

The Penthouse 2, which is currently popular with the public, does not miss the animo about infidelity. In fact, this drama is called makjang because of its exaggerated portrayal with an extraordinary plot twist.

As a result, the spectacle that presents the phenomenon of infidelity becomes a sensation that is indirectly enjoyed because it has grown into a culture around South Korean society and will continue in the future.