Despite Controversies Over Violence and Sexual Content, Market Expansion... Heated Debate Over OTT Review Standards

'Squid Game' Wins Emmy... OTT Market Expansion
OTT Regulated by Information and Communications Network Act, Not Broadcasting Act
Age Restrictions Exist but Are Not Enforced
Secondary Content Like Clips and Parodies Easily Accessible on YouTube

As the viewership of OTT platforms increases, discussions continue regarding content review standards and access by adolescents.
[Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jeong-wan] As the market for online video service (OTT) platforms such as Netflix, Watcha, Wavve, and TVING continues to expand daily, confusion over the review standards for OTT video content regarding violence and sexual content is also increasing. Compared to TV broadcasting, which is relatively less regulated, there are criticisms that despite including provocative scenes, effective age restrictions are not enforced.

OTT platforms are video services accessible via the internet on mobile phones, PCs, and TVs, and recently, the broadcasting market through OTT platforms has greatly expanded. On the 13th (Korean time), the Netflix drama "Ojingeo Game" (Squid Game) won a total of six trophies (Best Director, Best Actor, Best Guest Actress, Visual Effects, Stunt Performance, and Art Direction) at the 74th Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, USA.

As "Ojingeo Game" rose to world ranking number one and swept trophies at various overseas award ceremonies, global interest in domestic content also increased. Following the "Ojingeo Game" craze, Netflix's "Hellbound" and "All of Us Are Dead" also consecutively reached world ranking number one.

OTT platforms like Netflix allow viewing similar to traditional TV broadcasting through subscription services. Users have significantly increased because they can freely watch various works anytime by simply paying the subscription fee. According to the Korea Communications Commission's "2021 Media Usage Survey," the domestic OTT service usage rate increased from 6.1% in 2017 to 69.5% last year.

While OTT platforms are praised for revitalizing the video industry, they have also been embroiled in controversies over violence and sexual content. "Ojingeo Game" and "All of Us Are Dead" faced controversies due to explicit depictions. As "Ojingeo Game" gained worldwide popularity, schools in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia requested parents to control their children's viewing due to concerns about violent scenes and copycat crimes. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk of "Ojingeo Game" mentioned regarding the brutal scenes, "I thought it was a plausible scene when a human hits rock bottom."

"All of Us Are Dead," which attracted attention from the trailer release and ranked number one worldwide just one day after its release, was also embroiled in controversy over sexual content due to scenes depicting violence, sexual assault, and childbirth by unmarried mothers early in the series. Director Lee Jae-gyu of "All of Us Are Dead" said, "I wanted viewers to feel how cruel the actions toward the characters were. For that, we had to provide basic settings," but also added, "If it is conveyed excessively and makes some viewers uncomfortable, I sincerely apologize as the director."

A teenager who appeared on YouTube with Lee Jung-jae said that all the classmates watched "Squid Game." Photo by YouTube channel 'odg' capture

These works were initially classified as restricted to youth viewing due to such scenes, but the problem is that the age restriction function within OTT platforms is practically non-binding. This function is set individually by viewers, raising concerns that adolescents familiar with internet access may be exposed without protection.

In fact, adolescent use of OTT is increasing, and on platforms without age restrictions such as YouTube and TikTok, videos containing some scenes from the dramas are easily accessible. According to the "4th Comprehensive Youth Protection Plan" announced by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in June, the percentage of adolescents who use OTT five or more days a week increased about fourfold from 15.4% in 2018 to 70.9% last year. On free-access platforms like YouTube and TikTok, secondary content such as commentary, parodies, and clips can be accessed without much regulation.

Unlike traditional TV broadcasting, which is subject to the "Broadcasting Act," digital platforms like OTT are governed by the "Information and Communications Network Act." Accordingly, TV broadcasts regulate expressions such as informal speech, drinking, profanity, and sexual language, and restrict promotion of drinking, smoking, and gambling. However, OTT content is regulated only in cases of harmful sites or illegal information distribution, resulting in relatively weaker review standards.

Meanwhile, with the introduction of a "self-rating system" allowing OTT providers to classify content ratings autonomously set to be finalized in April next year, concerns over youth exposure to harmful content are growing. The amendment to the "Film and Video Promotion Act," passed at the National Assembly plenary session on the 7th, includes provisions allowing OTT providers to classify the ratings of content they distribute on their own. Domestic OTT providers welcomed the amendment, stating, "We actively welcome the establishment of a foundation to strengthen OTT competitiveness," but concerns have also been raised that youth protection measures should be presented alongside.

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