Aahana Swrup
The Netflix K-drama ‘Aema’ presents a story about the Korean film industry in the 80s, unraveled through a dramatic yet uniquely ironic lens. The show centers around a beloved actress named Jeong Hee-ran, who is set to star in her final film with Shinsung Pictures, which will conclude her exclusivity contract with the production company. Nonetheless, when she decides to sever her ties with roles requiring nudity, it compels producer Ku Jung-ho to corner her into an unpleasant situation. As a result, the veteran actress finds herself in a supporting role opposite an industry newcomer, Shin Ju-ae, who is set to play the part of Madame Aema, a role previously written for Hee-ran.
Consequently, as production on the project commences, bringing challenges for both the actresses, the pair find themselves entrenched in a catfight. Yet, time and revelations about producer Jung-ho’s malicious intentions bring Hee-ran and Ju-ae to face their true enemy: the toxic, exploitative industry. At its core, the show remains a scrutiny and realistic exploration of the Korean film industry in relation to its periodic setting. As a result, both the film Madame Aema and the production company Shinsung Pictures remain instrumental tools in grounding the narrative in reality.
Madame Aema is a Real Film Which Heralded an Era of Erotic Cinema in Korea
Despite the relative fictionality of its character, ‘Aema’ charts a narrative that remains heavily inspired by real life. The show strives for a realistic depiction of the Korean film industry, particularly in relation to the production of one specific film: Madame Aema. In reality, ‘Madame Aema,’ originally titled ‘Aema Buin,’ is an actual film from 1982. The film, a classic of its time and genre, revolves around the narrative of the titular Aema, an amorous woman who undertakes various extramarital affairs in the wake of her husband’s imprisonment. The project was a huge success in the 80s and even inspired multiple sequels, spin-offs, and reboots.
In fact, the film, perceived to be the most sexually explicit film of its time, was so popular that moviegoers reportedly broke the ticket box window at a theater in one memorable instance. The title, directed by In-yeob Jeong, is notably the first erotic Korean movie that was released under the 3S Act (which stood for Sex, Screen, Sports) implemented by the South Korean government of the time. In the 1980s, the country underwent a drastic sociopolitical shift when President Chun Doo-hwan came into power as a military dictator. In this time period, the national censorship committee moved its attention to suppressing anti-government sentiments, allowing eroticism in entertainment a wide berth.
However, this combination of authoritarian censorship and profitable erotic cinema was actually an intentional tool employed to displace the public’s attention from the tumultuous sociopolitical landscape of the time. In a press conference, creator Lee Hae-young spoke about the show and its historical connection. He said, “In the early 1980s, erotic films were actively encouraged and produced as a matter of policy. Ironically, there was also strict censorship and rampant cuts, meaning there was virtually no freedom of expression. By revisiting this irony from today’s perspective, I thought I could reinterpret it in 2025 and explore its meaning in a way that delivers a new message.”
Thus, in ‘Aema,’ In-yeob Jeong’s film’ Madame Aema’ is replicated within the narrative as a crucial storytelling element. The show embeds various easter eggs associating their version of the film with the real thing. For instance, Jun-ae and Hee-ran’s film has a scene showcasing the protagonist riding a horse in the nude. Additionally, the show also presents producer Jung-ho and director Kwak with a creative dilemma wherein they have to find a way to rework the written Hangul characters of the title to steer it away from a potentially promiscuous meaning. All of these instances are direct recreations of scenes/background lore associated with the real ‘Madame Aema’ movie. Ultimately, even though the show pitches fictional characters as being involved in the making of the film, the project itself remains rooted in a real-life counterpart.
Aema Highlights the Dark Parts of the Film Industry Through the Fictional Shinsung Pictures
The cinematic project, which becomes the center of the narrative in ‘Aema,’ remains a fictionalization of a real-life film. Nonetheless, the on-screen production company behind the film, Shinsung Pictures, is a fictional creation of the show. In real life, ‘Madame Aema’ was produced by the company Yeonbang Movies with Choi Chun-ji as the producer. The show shifts from reality in this aspect entirely in service of the narrative. In Hee-ran and Ju-ae’s story, their production company plays a crucially antagonistic role. Shinsung Pictures and its producer, Jung-ho, notably organize depraved “banquet parties,” which they force their signed actresses and musicians to attend. In these parties, the artists are traded for sex with powerful and wealthy men in exchange for making the pockets of the producer and his associates heavier.
There is no direct real-life counterpart for such a scandal that can be associated with the Korean film industry, dating back to the 80s. Even so, the plotline remains indicative of the dark reality of exploitation long linked with entertainment industries on an almost global scale. As a result, the narrative around Shinsung Pictures becomes a parallel for a realistic issue. “(Madame) Aema was an icon that embodied the desires of the times and the desires of the masses in the 1980s,” Lee Hae-young said, highlighting the realistic themes of the show and their origins. “But to have lived through that era as Aema meant constantly confronting and enduring deep prejudices and violent misunderstandings. That’s why, when I conceived this story, I thought of it as a way to support and give voice to the endurance of those who lived as Aema during that era.”
Alternatively, Shinsung Pictures also serves as a gateway to exploring the behind-the-scenes aspect of filmmaking in the 80s. In modern times, Seoul’s Gangnam area and others are more generally associated with the filmmaking industry in South Korea. However, back in the 80s, Chungmuro, a historic district in Seoul’s Jung District, used to be the filmmaking capital of the country. Shinsung Pictures pays homage to this cultural monolith area by recreating the historical neighborhood on the screen. Additionally, other aspects of the production company, such as its controlling demeanor over artists, from actors to directors, also highlight a dire reality of the industry. Overall, these elements inform the realism and authenticity behind the otherwise fictional company.
Read More: Aema Ending Explained: What Happens to Hee-ran and Ju-ae?
