'Bohemian Rhapsody' Same-Sex Skinship Scene Deleted... The Lives of Sexual Minorities Still Being Erased [Kang Joohee's Video Prism]

'Bohemian Rhapsody' Depicting the Life of LGBTQ+ Freddie Mercury
LGBTQ+ Groups Criticize Scene Deletion as "Censorship Showing Hate and Discrimination"

Still image from the movie 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. / Photo by Naver Movie

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] [Editor's Note] How do you remember that scene? Have you ever suddenly recalled a scene from a movie? This is likely because films are closely connected to our lives. Movies offer another perspective on reality. We present various viewpoints on reality by highlighting scenes from films. Please note that spoilers may be present during the description of scenes.

A terrestrial broadcaster sparked a 'LGBTQ+ discrimination controversy' by editing and pixelating same-sex skinship scenes in the movie 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' which aired as a special Lunar New Year feature.

'Bohemian Rhapsody' is a film depicting the growth of the British rock band 'Queen' and the life of the band's lead singer, Freddie Mercury. The movie particularly focuses on Mercury's journey to find his identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

The film, which portrays Mercury's loneliness and struggles living in a society that was hostile toward LGBTQ+ individuals at the time, attracted nearly 10 million viewers when it was released in Korea in 2018, gaining immense popularity.

Meanwhile, on the afternoon of the 13th, the broadcaster aired 'Bohemian Rhapsody' with certain scenes edited out. SBS deleted two scenes, including a kiss between Mercury and his lover Jim Hutton in the middle of the film, and pixelated a kiss between male extras in the background, removing all depictions of same-sex skinship. In contrast, heterosexual kissing scenes in the movie were broadcast without any special edits.

Still image from the movie 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. / Photo by Naver Movie

SBS's deletion of movie scenes led to controversy over discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. Netizens criticized SBS for arbitrarily editing the film and erasing the presence of LGBTQ+ people. Some also argued that it was an insult to the life of the deceased who lived as an LGBTQ+ person.

The human rights organization 'Rainbow Action Against LGBTQ+ Discrimination' (Mujigae Haengdong) issued a statement on the 16th, condemning the attitude that dismisses stories or scenes about LGBTQ+ people as violent or sensational as censorship that directly reflects hatred and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.

They further criticized SBS, stating, "Instead of carelessly covering up the issue by insulting LGBTQ+ people through scene edits, SBS should have clearly conveyed the message the film intended to share without editing the scenes." Deleting scenes depicting LGBTQ+ individuals is an act of denying Mercury's life as an LGBTQ+ person and is an insult to the community.

In response, SBS explained to a media outlet, "Just as we arbitrarily edit excessively violent scenes or smoking scenes, the edits in 'Bohemian Rhapsody' were made considering that it was scheduled during the holiday period in the evening time for the whole family to watch, with no special intent."

However, some criticize that while provocative settings such as infidelity, revenge, and murder, as well as sensational and violent scenes commonly depicted in many broadcasts, are aired as is, only same-sex skinship scenes are edited out, calling it anachronistic and clear discrimination.

This is not the first controversy over censorship of same-sex skinship scenes. In 2015, the Korea Communications Standards Commission disciplined JTBC's drama 'Sunam Girls' Detective Club' for broadcasting a kissing scene between high school girls.

In August last year, an advertisement at Sinchon Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 with the phrase "LGBTQ+ people are in your daily life" was vandalized multiple times during the month it was displayed, highlighting the everyday discrimination and hatred faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

Still image from the movie 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. / Photo by Naver Movie

Interestingly, censorship controversies also appear within the film itself. The four Queen members, including Mercury, appeared in drag in the music video for the 1984 album 'The Works' track 'I Want To Break Free.'

At the time, Queen was very popular in the United States, but the music video featuring them in drag was not aired on conservative American society and media. The film reenacts the incident where MTV banned Queen's music video in the U.S., showing Mercury's disappointment.

After much contemplation about his identity, Mercury realizes he is gay. During this process, he experiences conflicts such as breaking up with a long-time lover and the band facing the threat of disbandment.

However, Mercury does not regret the life he chose. He says, "I decide who I am," and resolves to express his existence as it is. Queen then successfully completes the globally acclaimed 'Live Aid' performance.

The reason 'Bohemian Rhapsody' resonated with so many viewers is likely because many empathized with the passion of a person who did not give up on the path he wanted to take despite social prejudice and discriminatory views.

Therefore, arbitrarily deleting and editing scenes from the film can feel disrespectful to the many people who worked hard to make the movie and the audiences who cherish and love it.

Regarding this, Queen's guest vocalist Adam Lambert commented on a tweet by the American LGBTQ+ magazine 'Out,' which quoted the Rainbow Action statement, saying, "Yet they will play Queen's songs without hesitation. There is nothing explicit or obscene about that kiss scene. The double standard really exists."

This controversy shows that discriminatory and hateful views toward LGBTQ+ people still persist in our society. Despite the explanation of "no special intent," criticism continues that the media, which should prioritize fairness, fueled prejudice against social minorities by arbitrarily deleting scenes from a film depicting LGBTQ+ individuals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.