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MBC’s mystery-thriller Missing 9 gets hit with sanctions

The Korean Communications Commission’s broadcasting committee voted to sanction mystery-thriller Missing 9 for the gruesomeness depicted in some of its murder and violence scenes. This MBC drama stars Jung Kyung-ho and Baek Jin-hee as an idol and his stylist who crash-land on a deserted island. Through the course of the drama, they engage in a dark psychological battle and fight for survival in the wilderness along with fellow castaways.

Among the scenes that Missing 9 was criticized for is one depicting an iron rod falling on top of a moving vehicle, resulting in blood splattering on the windshield (implying death on impact). In addition, there was another scene where people were found hanging by their necks in trees. Because of the provocativeness and extreme violent nature of these scenes during air times when adolescents were watching, the drama received a violation “warning,” per accordance with Article 37, Clause 6, and Article 44, Clause 2, of Korea’s broadcasting regulation laws.

After receiving these criticisms, a representative of the Missing 9 team assured KCC subcommittee members that they would rectify the situation by holding education workshops on appropriate content for future programming. Of course, it’s a little too late to change things now because the drama has already ended, but maybe this action was supposed to warn future productions from the major broadcasting channels not to incorporate more violence into their dramas because children could be watching. Personally, I think this is a moot point because 21st-century kids, especially in tech-saavy Korea, have access to the Internet and video games that definitely contain more violence than Missing 9.

Other shows that were hit with disciplinary measures include KBS’s Boarding House Daughters, SBS’s Morning Wide and SBS Golf Academy, but these were found to be in violation of excessive advertisement regulations.

Via DongA Sports

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what? just for the murders? Not the script that left wanting?

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XD

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Ha! ..... Perhaps the script also had an accident and that was the true mystery---where did it disappear to?

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Does anyone know what Guesthouse Daughters got sanctioned for? I love that show so much.

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Boarding House Daughters, SBS’s Morning Wide and SBS Golf Academy, but these were found to be

in violation of excessive advertisement regulations

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I don't watch those shows, but I'm wondering how excessive was the advertisements? Was it an ad on every single scene?

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the usual ramen brand, lee da hae promoting her boyfriend restaurant,

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i like that show too! it reminds me a bit of roommate - which I also like, despite it going downhill after excessive guest appearance in season 2. it's just so laidback, and i like sugeun and misoon chemistry best.

i wonder why the latest two episodes only have four of the original cast members tho, and they suddenly start visiting real boarding house instead of filming in their own. i hope it's just because the three other cast members are busy with filming schedule - tho I just thought it's a bit weird, the 3 suddenly disappear without news.

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as far as i know so yi, shinyoung and park soo hong have left the show as the show has changed its format. it took into consideration viewer's opinions and changed the format of the show to focus on visiting real boarding houses. hope these links help!!
https://crushonleedahae.wordpress.com/2017/03/21/renewed-guesthouse-daughters-to-start-airing-on-28th/
https://crushonleedahae.wordpress.com/2017/03/09/yoon-so-yi-and-jang-shin-young-leave-guesthouse-daughters-as-the-show-undergoes-format-change/

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Yup. I had a feeling So Yi and Shin Young were told to leave (in a very nice way). At least they didn't add new members, that is what I was the most scared of.

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LOL, a bit late with that sanction. Missing 9 is a show that should have aired on cable. It would have been able to build a cult following like jTBC or OCN shows, maybe even the next Signal. By airing on regular TV, it was limited and got a lot of bad PR about low ratings, which wouldn't have been an issue on cable.

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Hmm I can see where they're coming from for the falling crane of doom scene (it was... startling to say the least), but I have incredibly mixed feelings about them only doing this now, long after the show (and those episodes in particular) have ended. Especially since the tone of the violence changed so drastically later in the show, getting more lighthearted. I wonder what went on behind the scenes with this one.

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I find Missing 9 as something that defies all the conservativeness I have grown accustomed to while watching a Korean drama. (Can't really remember a drama more gruesome than this in Kdramaland) I've watched crime dramas and all but I find Missing 9 more disturbing. Maybe because of the fact that drama never really went the way i expected it?

I agree with tineybeanie though. It's a moot point since everything can be found over the internet. But I guess it doesn't hurt to make their stand regarding this

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I didn't find anything in Missing 9 as disturbing as the bodies in Voice...
Meanwhile, they have "excessive advertisement regulations" ! ?

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Subway is the worst offender of that!!

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Lol, right? Just fine Subway and be done with it! Over 50% of ppl would be eradicated.

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Subway returns via "Chicago Typewriter" uggh..

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Voice is on a cable network though. I mean, they got an advisory warning anyway (and had to change the rating to 19+), but cable shows do get away with a little more.

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I remember when Voice got hit with that. I know many will think this ruling is silly, but it sounds like the content wouldn't have been an issue if it had aired at a later hour, and even the US has rules like this though obviously more lax.

One of the funniest things I've seen is when Conan O'Brien moved to cable and he goes to the "standards" guy at the station to clarify what he is able to do, say and show on cable. It's on You Tube somewhere and is hilarious.

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Times like these I have to remind myself that the blade of a knife is oftentimes censored in K-Dramas, so I could only imagine the impact a bloody gruesome death might have. It's not like kids these days have been exposed to way crazier stuff through other mediums. Ignorance is bliss I guess. Sad that the writers, directors, producers, actors, and showrunners have to suffer to preserve innocence. Even sadder that viewers mightn't see another K2 shower scene for a while maybe. Probably saddest of all is how subjectively censorship affects us all.

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It is very interesting what qualifies to receive censorship. Korea is veeery strict with its censorship rules. Especially compared to the US. It is almost laughable that these scenes are considered excessively gruesome when in comparison to US crime shows it's nothing. Maybe I am desensitized, but I did not find it all that bad.

Watching Tunnel, they even blur out the cadaver when it is in autopsy. Heaven forbid they air a show like NCIS or the like that have a dead body being examined every episode.

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They blurred a cadaver!? Did they not have something covering the private parts? It really is sad when I watch a drama that tries to break from the conservative norms and think it so amazing for doing so. Then I watch Western shows and am returned to "reality."

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I mean they blurred the body where it has been cut up to be examined. Which is even weirder! Meaning seeing a heart, liver and maybe some ribs is too terrifying. I guess I can understand the blurring out of private parts if they are not covered with a cloth.

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Wait they blur cadavers? But then what about the gruesome operation scenes in all medical dramas?? The blood sprouting, the organs on display? Personally I find those more disgusting than a knife's blade! (Yes I know it is a medical process, but I don't need to see it happening- there is a reason I am not a doctor)

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Can they just fine Subway and leave the dramas alone? lol

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With all the advertisment Subway has aired It's not going to be a fine.It going to be a debt...?

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Haha, you beat me to the punch. That's what I said!

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But Subway plays a large role in keeping our kdramas alive!!! #SupportSubway

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True enough, but I have a feeling Subway demands too much in their contract, and I wish dramas could be a little more clever about the placement.

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Now I'm curious as to how much theyre paying and if their sales are really going up because of it.

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I would imagine pretty well (in paying and increase in sales), since Subway PPL has steadily increased throughout the years. The first time I remember a blatant Subway PPL was in Prime Minister and I, and that was back in 2013. There are probably even earlier examples, and there are definitely plenty of current ones.

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Missing 9 should've been on a cable channel. MBC wants to push limits but that's not their reality. I was shocked when they got away with the shooting scene in W but it set the tone for Missing 9 as far as what they're willing to allow. I agree this all a moot point seeing the show ended. MBC clearly believes in asking for forgiveness later but that won't last long even they keep getting hit on the wrist.

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A bit late for that one darlings but ok while you're at it would you mind sanctioning them for the horrid ending as well. Thanks ?

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The show is over long time ago and no body watched it, why are they complaining when the ratings were only 3%. Even the writer gave up on the show midway and changed it's gener.

Don't they put 15+ tag on thier shows!, what's the big deal, it's not like kids these days are pure, they're more experienced than adults.

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Shouldn't this have happened during the airing? I remember there was a drama where a young girl's bare shoulder was shown and seems as if the drama had to issue an apology before the next episode aired. So why the wait?
Are cable stations more lax when it comes violence on TV because I've seen some things that just seems like it was there to see how gruesome a murder could get.

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I know, right? The bare shoulder thing - I think that was Lee Da Hae in Chuno? I think the production staff did some blurring of the exposed shoulders during the airing, which drew unnecessary attention to the shoulders and then the staff had to explain why they did it.

Cable is definitely more lax than broadcast tv. Since broadcast tv is mostly free to the audience, it has access to a larger audience (and a larger number of people who could potentially be offended), so it must abide by some decency rules. And since pretty much all of its revenue streams come from advertisers, it tries to make content that doesn't deter advertisers.

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cloud moonlight.. whatever that drama was with bo gum and a 16 yr old girl..

they had a scene with her tying the bandage tightly around her chest to fake being a man.. and by next episode they had to issue an apology

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I wonder what it says about me since I loved those scenes

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Will they also punish the way Domestic violence is portrayed in, say, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon?

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I doubt it, sadly.

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I think that's my issue with the show, the domestic violence isn't being reprimanded. I see domestic violence in weekend dramas as well and they get off scott free.

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Exept that the mom is "punished" by not having her special strength anymore. The show is very clear that she is NOT OK.

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Oh I should make it more clear, the part where she abuses her husband. No one (in the show) is calling her out. Maybe there is some repercussion later on, but I haven't follow the show close enough. Plus it seems that the show is progressing toward the loveline more so than any other part (which is fine since this is a rom-com).

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Actually, Gook-do's mom reprimanded her and stood up for him in a recent episode and, I admit, if it weren't for their kids being friends, I'd want him running off with her at this point. No women is urged to stay with an abusive spouse because of their children and a man shouldn't be urged to either.

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@chandler
There was no reply option, but let's see how tagging works for this...
I saw that part on the recap of the newest episode and I like that Gook Do's mom is standing up for the dad. But I hope the mom gets more repercussions from it soon like perhaps her husband leaving her or something to do with law because it seems not much is happening to the mom to help her realize how wrong she is. With the way the mom isn't get "punishment" for her domestic violence (her super strength was lost due to plain violence and not domestic violence), this encourages acts of domestic violence and I hope the show points out that it's not in any way acceptable for the mom to be doing this to her husband, a human being.
Nor is it cool to be smacking their children's heads repetitively (I'm referring to weekend dramas where the mothers tend to beat their children on the head).

It seems that for violence, the committee doesn't address the subtle issues so well...

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I very much agree with you! To be quite honest, the domestic violence between the father + mother throws me off, and it's one of the reasons I've been slow on keeping up with the episodes. The show as a concept (and even execution in some areas) is phenomenal, but it's startling how it manages to be both refreshingly liberal and forward in its ideas while still backwards in other ways. I'm just glad to see it's not just me.

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Honestly, the violence was the least of this drama's issues...

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Hahaha I thought the exact same thing- the darker tone was actually one of the few things I liked about that drama

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I think it's a bit late, too. :-(
But the argument saying that we can find anything on the Internet is particularly dangerous. Of course, you can find anything on the web (inclusing real rapes and murders!!!) and many times even if you don't want it! but this EXACTLY why I want someone (an official organism here) to tell me that this is safe for me to watch this or that show.

I'm tired of the gruesomeness, vulgarity and hypersexualization of the American shows (for example). If I want violence I watch the news! And I want to feel secure watching shows.

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What?? if goblin did not get excessive advertisement penalty , no other show should get it

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there's a penalty for that????

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that is what it says in the article above.. that there is a clause for excessive advertising on tv

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I think the only reason why Subway is safe from a fine is because the Goblin actors didn't dress up as a sub sandwich. But seriously...how excessive does the PPL have to be to get sanctioned?

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guess will have to watch guesthouse daughters

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they should have done this for that ending ...OMG I'm still soo upset about the last 10min èé

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So they decide to sanction this and not Voice who depicted people getting their heads beaten with a barbell?

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Can you explain to me the difference between this and S. Korean cable? If that makes any sense.

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SBS, MBC, KBS are public_private tv stations everyone can see them in korea.
Cable Stations you need to pay to see it, so not everybody can see it, and its more free, like the korean movie industry, korean movies are so different than dramas. It more a way to protect kids, if the kids watch Voice its the parents fault because they're paying to have cable drama, its their responsability, if they aire deaths and crimes in MBC,SBS,KBS, its the bradcasting fault because any kid can watch that.

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Well, I think Voice, the first four episodes were unpleasant for me to watch, I didn't mind the violence in Missing 9. To me it was something to be expected since the story establishes at the beginning that not everyone had made it out of the island alive. But I still don't understand that weird ending, everyone happy, and I still want to know if Yeol is alive or not.?

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Well that falling debris scene caught me off guard :D

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"excessive advertisement regulations" lol what???, can they sanction subway? I am pretty sure they broke that rule already.
Just kidding I know subway pays for the shows, but I swear sometimes the way the advertisements are incorporated in the shows are too funny. Recently the one in Chicago Typewriter even made me facepalm I swear.

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Maybe they could get away from this if the time slot was different? idk...or if this was from cable? anyway i agree that now it's a bit late since the drama ended it's run but future dramas can learn from it.

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Isn't this a too-little-too-late moment? Missing 9 ended so long ago, it seems a little silly to suddenly go like 'ermehgawd they crushed a person with a crane jakhshajkh think of the kiddies'. Also, echoing the others that it probably should've been on cable, not like the writer's previous shows were exclusively OCN works.

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I was like 'didnt this show finished already?' And I was right... why bother? They kinda want to make a -late- example out of a show that had low ratings and thats weird. I didnt watch because it wasnt my type of show after all the plot changes but I remember it would be clear some characters died so yeah... on the other hand, I can understand the excessive PPL! Its so weird at times!

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I find this amusing... The drama is long over, lol, it's too late. Like everyone else said, Missing 9 should have been on cable (also note that the writer used to write for OCN) where I believe that it would be well-received, or could get away since OCN is known to air such. I thought it was kinda impossible for Han Jung Hoon to suddenly change the genre, but then I read that the writer changed halfway? No wonder... I wonder why MBC didn't check the measure, but maybe MBC wanted to try something, but failed to do so, since Korea is quite sensitive with public opinions on violence and censorship, so well...

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This confuses me because they had the sanctions after the show was aired? Shouldn't it be given while it was airing or something?

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I hope Koreans would keep it up and enforce proper rules to make sure quality is maintained, violence and overt sexual contents are avoided on TV.
After years of not being able to enjoy any TV shows where I live, I finally found Kdramas. I don't want them to repeat the contents that is available at home.

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This actually makes me want to watch the drama now. Haha.

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Truthfully I was expecting a truck of doom in that scene instead of the crane and yes it really took me by suprise there...... though I belive adolecents have been exposed to much more violent and blood splattering scenes..... but if controlling such scenes could help those kids then I am glad to welcome it (if it does'nt affect the storyline - in Missing 9 it was not necessary). As for heavy advertising I don't get it..... did they have many ad slots, if so won't the viewers be distracted or irritated. Can some explain this?

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I agree that this is excessive, but then again they do blur out knives so I'm not too surprised.

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i agree! there's a difference between using the internet to find that content for yourself and randomly turning on the tv and seeing it.

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You're right it's a little too late, if they really wanted to do something they should have done it while the show was still airing and kids today have access to stuff like game of thrones and other such more controversial things so they are not as naive as we assume them to be besides there are shows that just barely make the cut of"safe" watching as they don't actually show things but are really suggestive, I remember entertainer getting hit by similar a Waring because of the rape scene which really was nothing much to be scandalized about, I miss you on the other hand had a far more traumatizing rape scene and even we did not see it actually happening, the way it was shot and what it was suggesting was happening was disturbing...So we have some serious double standards going on here..And people just keep getting offended for something or the other these days to their own self importance.

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I agree with the last part, where they violate excessive advertisement regulations. I don't really mind PPL, and with the latest article about unpaid actors I'm gonna support them but not too excessive, like every time the scene changes there're ad products everywhere. That's just too much

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Aren't these the same guys who found it perfectly justified to blur our the entirety of Jung Kyung Ho's back after some poor make-up artist (or probably an army of them) spent hours upon hours painting that tattoo for his drug lord act in Heartless City? And all we got was a blurry back because apparently tattoos are offensive. I can just imagine all these poor innocent kids rushing to get a huge back tattoo after being exposed to that scene.

http://68.media.tumblr.com/119f541193cedd13fe25ad265b569707/tumblr_inline_mqma7mxXlt1qz4rgp.png

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True. no matter what we say to them, people do what they want, if not these drama then from somewhere else, then they would get the inspiration from some other place to do what want to do or think is the right or cool thing to do. like recently in Chicago typewriter that murderer got inspired by yoo ah in's book and killed his colleagues, saying the book was about him, it was his story etc, and yes he got the motivation from the book, it was not the thing that made him psycho...he was from the start....all that aside i do agree there should be some regulation on the content of the shows , but be reasonable about it, if anything, why isn't snl korea getting the strike, they are pretty racist sometimes ...or dramas that deal with controversial subjects and give the wrong messages to the audience like in do bong soon her mom keeps beating her dad which is treated as something funny instead of banning juvenile things like tattoos , do they forget even children have brain and are capable of thinking for themselves

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I wish i could edit that comment..

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Yeah, I had the same problem with My Name is Kim Sam Soon, they had the mothers hit their children in almost every episode, even in public, and it was played for laughs. The male lead slaps the second female lead and that was also ok. It has bothered me for the longest time that no one seemed to mind or point out how disturbing all that was. That drama was a huge success back then too, not something like Missing 9 that barely anyone watched.

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So.... what is the use of doing these unnecessary measures after the drama has ended? The kids would have already watched the show, and furthermore, they can easily find the show online. I find this totally extra.

ps. Can KCC come up with a committee to ban lousy stories lol

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on a side note,

what happens with boarding house daughters, anyone knows?
I wonder why the recent two episodes only have 4 of the main casts, and somehow 'changed' the concept into visiting real boarding house.

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I was actually shocked when that rock literally smashes the car D: I wasn't expecting that from a kdrama XD
But what I found more gruesome (even if it's not actually shown) is a scene from one of the last few episode, when it's not a car that's smashed, but well... something else. D:

And I agree with all the Beanies: this is definitely not the main problem of the show X°°°D (a show that I inexplicably follow every week with excitement xDD - A mystery of dramaverse...)

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And not to talk about Criminal Minds. Some of the murders on that show is shocking. How will they air that?

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that will air on cable, where they have a bit more freedom. plus, they're not going to 100% scene for scene copy Criminal Minds, so they probably won't show as much graphic violence.

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Guess I'm not the only one who thinks that the certain scenes are too gruesome and excessive for a drama. And the ending... how can I describe it? How could you spent time with a bloody killer who felt no remorse as if nothing happened? As if it was just for fun? For God sake he was an evil murderer.
I'm kind of dissappointed but glad that I marathoned it so I could ffwd the killing scenes.
Btw, DB team, I have registered to this site but when I checked my email I haven't got email confirmation yet. It has been 3 days. What should I do? Should I register again? Thanks in advance.

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well, they must not have seen Voice of they think that's too much to be on TV, missing 9 was fine for me, although i do admit the car scene was really startling only because it was so sudden, but missing 9 is nothing compared to Voice, I remember watching voice and I was anxious all the time because i didn't know when they will throw another bloody body in, and everything was just so how should I say this, visible? no hate though I loved it, i found it really good. I just think it's weird how they've warned missing 9 when Voice was much worse.

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Missing 9 is in my To watch list so I guess I'll find out how gruesome the scenes are. But I think I still need to prepare myself (and finish the rest of the dramas I'm currently watching lol)

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I would've thought Voice would've got sanctioned. Yeah, they blurred out a lot, put bodies in plastic, and put some scenes in black and white, but I seriously thought Voice was more intense with the violence than Missing 9. Especially that crazy last scene.

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Missing 9 was one of the worst written stories I've ever seen. Nothing makes sense. Illogical to the max. I tried to give it a chance but only lasted until episode 8. 5+ guys could not handle one psycho, just kill him or cut off his legs. Ridiculously they knew he killed and still let him roam freely. The character I hate the most is the weak Mr. Tae lying because afraid of getting hurt by Tae Ho.

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I'm so used to Hollywood I find this funny, especially when they blurr the knife as if we don't know it's a knife -_- ...

I actually think it's not so much the bloody scenes that make the film 'violent' but the psychological elements like Tae Ho thinking he has to kill everyone if he's going to live & the idea that you'd think we are all humane but when it comes to survival some people can turn savage. The whole island situation reminded me of the book 'Lord of Flies'.

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