Writer of “The Penthouse”, Kim Soon Ok, is once again embroiled in controversy and facing criticisms. Her new Korean drama, “The Escape of the Seven,” is now confronting additional complaints due to the intense and contentious issues depicted in its episodes. Not only regular citizens but now teachers have also rallied against the new Korean drama. So, what really happened to “The Escape of the Seven”? And how does it affect the popularity of this new drama by “The Penthouse” writer? Dive deep into a more comprehensive report in the following story.
*THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS AS WELL AS MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE THAT MAY BE DISTURBING FOR SOME READERS. PLEASE TREAD CAREFULLY.*
“The Escape of the Seven” Faces More Issues Despite Its Skyrocketing Popularity
The new Korean drama by “The Penthouse” writer Kim Soon Ok, “The Escape of the Seven,” has faced more official complaints and criticisms.
On September 22, “The Penthouse” writer’s new Korean drama, “The Escape of the Seven,” released its third episode. What’s impressive is that the new Korean drama has maintained its successful streak of drawing in viewers. During the third episode of the series, Nielsen Korea recorded a 6.7% nationwide viewership rating, marking a whole new all-time high record for the drama in just 3 episodes.
Unfortunately, while the cast members’ performance has been outstanding and impeccable, some viewers found the scenes and stories extremely problematic. Consequently, following prior public criticism and backlash, the issues surrounding “The Escape of the Seven” have escalated to formal complaints.
MORE Problematic Issues of “The Penthouse” Writer’s New Korean Drama
Previously, “The Escape of the Seven” has faced massive backlashes due to its abrupt and unnecessary child violence. “The Penthouse” writer Kim Soon Ok has allegedly gone overboard in her new Korean drama this time.
However, “The Escape of the Seven” seems to carry more problematic issues as the story unfolds. The controversies mentioned earlier weren’t the sole concerns sparking viewer outrage.
Korean Teachers Rally Against “The Escape of the Seven”Due to More Inappropriate Issues
Not only regular viewers but “The Escape of the Seven” has now also become the target of criticism from Korean teachers.
On September 23, Korean media outlets My Daily and OSEN reported that “The Escape of the Seven” had received the label of this year’s most terrible drama. That is because, in addition to the previous controversial issues, “The Penthouse” writer’s new Korean drama has also tarnished the image of South Korean teachers.
In episodes 1 and 2, there was a scene where high school teacher Go Myung Ji (played by Jo Yoon Hee) handled a cheating case. That was when the school’s queen bee and idol trainee, Han Mo Ne (Lee Yoo Bi), offered her a box containing diamond bracelets.
At the time, the teacher initially refused. Still, she couldn’t hide her excitement and eventually accepted the bribe when Mo Ne put the box in her pocket. The teacher then promised to keep Mo Ne’s secret. In the end, the new Korean drama showed that high school teacher Go Myung Ji was nothing but a corrupt teacher who fell into her student’s bribes.
Later in episode 3, high school teacher Go Myung Ji takes the lead in expelling Bang Da Mi, who knows her secret.
Immediately after episode 3 aired, the viewers’ bulletin board was already full of massive criticisms. Teachers from South Korean elementary schools to university professors voiced their complaints about the false portrayals of teachers in “The Escape of the Seven”. They demanded SBS to apologize, delete all the scenes, and even cancel the series. Or else the company would be facing the teachers’ association directly.
KCC Receives Official Complaints Regarding Issues in the New Korean Drama by “The Penthouse” Writer
Along with the teachers’ complaints, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) revealed to have received official complaints about “The Escape of the Seven”.
Star New exclusive report stated that “The Escape of the Seven” had been deemed to be crossing the line, resulting in 8 official complaints to the KCC within a week after its broadcast. According to the KCC, the complaints were all regarding the contents of episodes 1 and 2, which involved exaggerated child abuse, unrealistic teenage pregnancy and labor, sexual intercourse with minors, and overly dramatic school violence.
All these issues are considered inappropriate to broadcast on national TV.
Although they couldn’t disclose the content of the complaints, the main problem lies in the drama’s overly provocative issues. Therefore, the KCC will soon review the contents of the official civil complaints and decide whether to submit them for deliberation.
This is not the first rodeo for “The Penthouse” writer Kim Soon Ok and director Joo Dong Min in facing such criticism. Previously, the duo had already faced the same complaints for various problematic issues in their previous projects, including “The Penthouse” and “The Last Empress”.
That is why the public is closely monitoring whether “The Escape of the Seven” will improve in toning down their controversial scenes in the future.
Your Thoughts?
So, what do you think about all these issues surrounding “The Escape of the Seven”? Please share your thoughts in the comments. Also, stay with Kpoppost’s Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram channel for more “The Escape of the Seven” updates.
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