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| Netflix's new talk show "Risque Business: Japan" explores the adult entertainment industry in Japan. Courtesy of Netflix |
By Lee Gyu-lee
The producers of Netflix's new series "Risque Business: Japan" have responded to ongoing controversy against the show with some people criticizing it for glamorizing the pornography and escort service businesses.
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| The show's co-producer, Jung Hyo-min / Courtesy of Netflix |
The show casually explores different areas of the adult entertainment industry, like sex toys, adult videos, host clubs and general perspectives about dating and sex in the country. But since its premiere on April 25, the show has faced backlash because of its content, especially concerning the episodes starring adult film stars.
Some criticized the show for failing to include the dark side of the country's pornography business, such as the exploitation of minors and vulnerable persons.
Jung said that the show's intention was to simply share different perspectives of adult entertainment in a less serious manner.
"We thought about not touching the topic of on adult videos (AV). But considering the size of the AV industry in Japan, it didn't feel right to avoid that topic," the producer said during an interview with The Korea Times, held at a cafe in Jongno District, Tuesday.
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| A scene from the show "Risque Business: Japan" / Courtesy of Netflix |
"We wanted to share things like what AV actors do, how they approach their work, their own attitudes toward the job, what drew them into the business and how their friends and family see them and deliver these in a not-so-serious tone."
Adding that there always are positive and negative sides to every business, the producer emphasized that the production is of the variety show genre, rather than being a documentary or investigative work, expressing it felt inappropriate to delve into the darker aspects of the industry.
"Due to the size of the industry, there's going to be a dark side. But as it is a variety show, we made it with a series of interviews focusing on each guest … I want to ask: Let's say if a travel show doesn't touch on the issues that the travel industry brings to that country, would it be appropriate to criticize that show, which is within the variety genre?" he said, adding that the team tried its best to show different sides within the genre.
"The actors talk about their struggles like how their parents were against their job, and one says how he can't explain his job to his child and so on. So it feels unfortunate that people judge that we only show the bright side and none of the dark side."
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| The show's co-producer, Kim In-sik / Courtesy of Netflix |
"Making AVs is illegal in Korea but we wanted to see 'how they make them' in the countries where it's legal. It's not about what's right or wrong. But we wanted to make a show that lets us think about where we stand," he said. "I've realized how different people's views on sex are. Before the show's release, I thought the response would be divided by gender or generation. But I've learned that it's about how open- or closed-minded you are towards the matter."
Kim noted that the show's upcoming sequel, taking place in Taiwan, will provide a more solid understanding of the show's purpose.
"I don't believe that there was too much criticism on the show. When you finish the whole show (including the Taiwan part), you will be able to understand the point of our series," he said.
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