Because it showed a priest in a sexual position, the original teaser poster of Thirst was banned then replaced in South Korea. According to Variety, “The ban is the work of the South Korea’s Media Rating Board, which has become more strict about the depiction of sexuality these days.”
Remember few months ago, Frozen Flower trailer got 18+ restricted in South Korea because of a highly suggestive bed scene (!!!). And as Park Chan-Wook seems to combine sex, violence & religion in Thirst, it should also get an 18 rating in SK.
So, the new Thirst korean teaser poster doesn’t feature any sexual position (legs have been erased), but the bad photoshop hasn’t been changed. Look at the actress’ arms, they’re in plastic or what? Anyway, the original poster will be use overseas.
Here are the 2 teaser posters:
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these korean posters are just awful, i wonder how long will last this damn photoshop era … http://www.poster.com.pl/vintage-movie-poster.htm
And here’s the alternative trailer
In a direct comparison a few slight differences between both versions stand out. While the international version shows how the (apparently) departed priest gets a cross ‘painted’ on his cold hand, a crucifix with a mummified Jesus can be seen in the Korean version. Song Kang-ho’s “lunch” has been replaced with a slighty less bloody variant. The Korean version also replaces the short sex scene between Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-bin with some non-objectionable cuddling and just the beginning of a kiss.
Official website, AHT
Reminds me, years ago, when first poster of KKD Samaria was issued. Same reaction to use of religious (catholicism) symbolism with nudity / sex.
The banning may just be perfunctory, which is what bureaucrats do (and as many natives/movies would say, the police in enforcing law, too). At press conference of Thirst, the original image was still used as the huge backdrop – which gets into ALL the newsfeeds/photo-opp swamping major/small channels.
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