K-Drama “Would You Marry Me?” Deletes Controversial Clip Amid Backlash

The hit K-drama Would You Marry Me? found itself in the middle of controversy after airing a scene that many viewers said treated an illegal filming incident too lightly.

The show, headlined by Choi Woo Shik and Jung So Min, has been steadily building a following, but its latest episode drew sharp criticism and prompted the network to delete clips of the scene altogether.

According to the Korean outlet OSEN, the disputed moment appeared in episode six, which aired on October 25. In the scene, Yoon Jin-kyung (played by Shin Seul Gi), a family medicine specialist, performs CPR on a patient who collapses in a public park. A bystander secretly films her during the emergency. Baek Sang-hyun (Bae Na Ra) steps in, covers her with his jacket, seizes the phone, and warns, “Illegal voyeurism carries a prison sentence of up to seven years or a fine of up to 50 million won.” He then adds, “Since this seems to be your first time, I’ll let you off this time.”

Shortly after the broadcast, SBS uploaded clips of the sequence to its official YouTube channel under titles such as “The Gold Spoon Voyeur Who Filmed Shin Seul-gi, Bae Na-ra’s Cool Lesson.” According to The Korea Times, the clips triggered an immediate backlash online, with viewers accusing the drama of minimizing the gravity of sexual crimes and perpetuating a troubling message that such offenses could be forgiven without legal consequences.

Comments across social media described the scene as “uncomfortable” and “misguided.” Many also criticized the dynamic in which a male character effectively decided how the situation should be resolved, calling it a reflection of outdated gender portrayals in dramas.

In response to the growing backlash, SBS removed all related clips from its official YouTube channel and other online platforms. While the broadcaster has not issued a formal statement, viewers noted that the deletions appeared to be a quiet acknowledgment of the criticism. Some called on networks to take greater care when depicting crimes related to privacy and sexual misconduct, pointing out that illegal filming remains a pressing issue in South Korea.

Despite the controversy, Would You Marry Me? continues to perform well in viewership. The series follows two people who enter a 90-day fake marriage in hopes of winning a luxury newlywed home giveaway. According to Nielsen Korea, the drama’s ratings have risen from 5.6 percent during its premiere to 7.5 percent by episode five.