Aema

Aema
Promotional poster
Hangul
애마
RRAema
MRAema
Genre
Written byLee Hae-young
Directed byLee Hae-young
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes6
Production
Running time47–68 minutes
Production companies
  • The Lamp Co., Ltd.
  • Studio Kik Co., Ltd.
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseAugust 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)

Aema (Korean: 애마) is a 2025 South Korean historical comedy drama television series written and directed by Lee Hae-young, and starring Lee Hanee, Bang Hyo-rin [ko], Jin Seon-kyu, and Cho Hyun-chul. The series depicts Hui-ran and Joo-ae's struggles while making the sensational hit Madame Aema, which swept Korea in the early 1980s. It was released on Netflix in August 22, 2025.

Synopsis

In the vibrant yet male-dominated world of 1980s Korean cinema located on Seoul's Chungmu-ro road, the sensational erotic film "Madame Aema" is set to make its mark, sparking both excitement and controversy. The story centers on two actresses with clashing personalities who are united by a shared struggle against the industry's exploitative nature.

Cast and characters

Main

A famous actress who is under contract of Shinsung Films who had enough of showing her body on screen. She is required to film an erotic film called "Madame Aema" in order to complete her contract with Shinsung Pictures. However since she no longer wants to bare her body, she is sidelined to supporting role meanwhile a new actress is cast to fulfill the main character position.
A rookie actress who was a nightclub dancer. She is cast as the main character "Aema" in a film called "Madame Aema". This makes her embroiled with conflict with Jeong Hee-ran, in which the latter initially behaves coldly toward her but actually wants to protect her dignity from the exploitative nature of the cinema industry.
Exploitative CEO of Shinsung Films, the production company for an erotic film called "Madame Aema". He is willing to do anything even having dirty deals with South Korean elites in order to be allowed to film Madame Aema by sending actresses under his production house to be used as prostitution to serve country's elites.
An idealistic and hot blooded rookie director. He is forced by Gu Jung-ho to produce the erotic version of "Madame Aema" meanwhile he wants to produce the elegant and moderate version of "Madame Aema"

Supporting

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Episode 1"Lee Hae-youngLee Hae-youngAugust 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)
2"Episode 2"Lee Hae-youngLee Hae-youngAugust 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)
3"Episode 3"Lee Hae-youngLee Hae-youngAugust 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)
4"Episode 4"Lee Hae-youngLee Hae-youngAugust 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)
5"Episode 5"Lee Hae-youngLee Hae-youngAugust 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)
6"Episode 6"Lee Hae-youngLee Hae-youngAugust 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)

Production

Development

The series was officially commissioned by Netflix, with Lee Hae-young serving as writer and director, while The Lamp Co., Ltd. and Studio Kick Co., Ltd. co-managed the production.

Casting

In May 2023, it was reported that Lee Hanee would appear in the series. In September 2023, Jin Seon-kyu, Bang Hyo-rin [ko] and Cho Hyun-chul were reportedly cast to appear. Lee, Jin, Bang, and Cho were officially confirmed to star on the same month.

Filming

The principal photography of the series commenced in 2023 and concluded in 2024.

Release

The series was exclusively released on Netflix on August 22, 2025.

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 7 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.9/10.

Accolades

Award ceremony Year Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Baeksang Arts Awards 2026 Best Supporting Actor Jin Seon-kyu Nominated
Best New Actress Bang Hyo-rin Won
Director's Cut Awards 2026 Best Director (Drama) Lee Hae-young Nominated
Best Actress (Drama) Lee Hanee Nominated
Best New Actress (Drama) Bang Hyo-rin Won

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Kim, Saet-byeol (August 8, 2025). "벗기려고만 하는 시대"...뒤집기 위해 나선 '애마' ["An era where we're only trying to strip ourselves bare"...Aema sets out to turn things around]. The Fact (in Korean). Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Netflix Reveals 2025 Korean Slate of Films, Series Including New Seasons of 'Culinary Class Wars' and 'Single's Inferno'". The Hollywood Reporter. 4 February 2025. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  3. ↑ Hwang, So-young (May 3, 2023). [단독] '열일의 아이콘' 이하늬, 드라마 '애마' 주인공 낙점 [[Exclusive] Lee Ha-nee, the "Icon of Hard Work," has been selected to star in the drama "Aema"]. JTBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 18, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  4. ↑ Kim, Sun-woo (September 6, 2023). [단독] '반가운 다작' 진선규, '애마' 캐스팅...이하늬와 재회 [[Exclusive] Jin Seon-kyu, a prolific and welcome actor, cast in "Aema"...Reunites with Lee Ha-nee]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  5. ↑ Jo, Hye-jin (September 6, 2023). [단독] 신예 방효린, '애마' 주연 파격 캐스팅...이하늬·진선규 호흡 [[Exclusive] Rookie Bang Hyo-rin cast in a groundbreaking role in "Aema"...Working with Lee Ha-nee and Jin Seon-kyu]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  6. ↑ Kim, Sun-woo (September 7, 2023). [단독] 조현철, 차기작은 '애마'...'너와 나' 개봉 이어 겹경사 [[Exclusive] Jo Hyun-chul's next project is "Aema," a double whammy following the release of "You and I"]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  7. ↑ Kim, Bo-young (September 11, 2024). '애마'부인은 어떻게 탄생했나...이하늬·방효린·진선규·조현철 캐스팅[공식] [How did Madame "Aema" come to be? Casting of Lee Ha-nui, Bang Hyo-rin, Jin Seon-kyu, and Jo Hyun-chul [Official]]. Edaily (in Korean). Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  8. ↑ Lee, Young-sil (October 23, 2023). [인터뷰] '감독' 조현철의 위로 [[Interview] 'Director' Cho Hyun-chul's Comfort]. Sisa Week (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  9. ↑ Kim, Hye-jin (March 17, 2024). 애마부인 연기로 돌아오는 미스코리아 출신 배우 [The Miss Korea-turned-actress returns to the role of Madame Aema] (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  10. ↑ Lee, Yu-min (July 25, 2025). ""In a Era Obsessed with Stripping, We Flip the Script"—Netflix's 'Aema' Premieres This August". K-en News. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Aema: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  12. ↑ Lee, Da-gyeom (April 13, 2026). '제62회 백상예술대상' 후보 발표...'왕과 사는 남자' 7개 부문 노미네이트 ['62nd Baeksang Arts Awards' Nominees Announced...The King's Warden Nominated in 7 Categories]. Star Today (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 23, 2026. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  13. ↑ McCarthy, Thomas; Jin, Eun-soo; Kim, Ju-yeon; Shin, Han-nee (May 8, 2026). "Veteran actors Yoo Hae-jin, Ryu Seung-ryong win Baeksang Grand Prizes — as it happened". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  14. ↑ Lee Seung-mi (May 11, 2026). 박지훈, 영화·시리즈 동시 노미…제24회 디렉터스컷 어워즈, 후보 공개. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  15. ↑ 유해진·박지훈→현빈·정윤호, 디렉터스컷 어워즈 배우상 수상 (in Korean). May 20, 2026.