Netflix has dropped the main poster and trailer for its bold new period drama Aema, set in the glitzy yet cutthroat world of Korea’s 1980s film industry during the birth of the country’s first erotic blockbusters.
Aema follows top star Jeong Hee-ran (Lee Ha Nee) and fearless newcomer Shin Joo-ae (Bang Hyo Rin) as they confront the industry’s murky underbelly head-on.
The striking main poster brings together a colorful lineup of characters — each with their own ambitions — against the bustling backdrop of Chungmuro, Korea’s filmmaking hub. Alongside Hee-ran and Joo-ae are Ku Jung-ho (Jin Sun Kyu), the shrewd CEO of Shinsung Pictures; rookie director Kwak In-woo (Cho Hyun-chul); and a supporting ensemble that includes Woo Ji-hyun, Lee Joo-young, Kim Jong-soo, Lee Sung-wook, and Ahn Gil-gang.
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With the defiant tagline “In an era that only tries to strip away, we will turn it over in a fiery way,” the series hints at a story of solidarity, rebellion, and a refusal to bow to a barbaric system.
The trailer sets the tone with a sharp clash between Hee-ran — who flatly rejects the script for Madam Aema after reading its overly explicit scenes — and the incensed CEO Jung-ho, who retaliates by demoting her to a supporting role and launching an open audition for the lead. Enter Joo-ae, a spirited nightclub tap dancer whose bold audition catches director In-woo’s eye, catapulting her into the spotlight as the new star of Madam Aema.
As cameras roll, Hee-ran stands her ground despite losing her leading role, while Joo-ae throws herself into proving she’s a worthy actress. What begins as rivalry slowly hints at alliance, with both women navigating the absurdities of censorship, industry politics, and male-dominated power structures. One comedic highlight comes when government censors force script changes, turning the title’s meaning from “a woman who loves horses” into the bizarre “a woman who loves hemp.” While Joo-ae follows the direction as given, Hee-ran can’t ignore how absurd and suggestive it all seems.
The series builds toward the historic release of Madam Aema as Korea’s first late-night screening in 36 years, following the end of the curfew. Against this milestone moment, Hee-ran delivers the provocative line, “Jung-ho, let’s go to hell,” teasing a final act where she and Joo-ae may just upend the era’s outdated rules.
Aema premieres August 22, only on Netflix, promising a potent blend of wit, drama, and behind-the-scenes intrigue from one of the most colorful chapters in Korean cinema history.
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