South Korea's media watchdog is taking disciplinary action against the JTBC comedy A Virtuous Business after receiving complaints that the drama features excessively sexual content.

On April 21, the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) held a full committee meeting and voted to proceed with an official hearing regarding the series.

The regulatory body oversees standards across broadcast television, radio, film, and online content, including streaming platforms.

"The level of sexual expression in this K-Drama exceeds the limits, even for OTT [streaming] content," the KCSC said in a statement.

A Virtuous Business, which streams on Netflix, is set in a rural village in 1992 and follows four women, known as the "Bangpan Sisters," as they navigate door-to-door sales of adult products.

The show uses humor to explore themes of independence, growth, and female friendship during a time when discussions about sex were still considered taboo in Korean society.

However, many scenes have raised alarm among viewers and regulators.

Complaints centered on depictions of characters modeling in underwear and showcasing adult toys shaped like male genitalia.

The KCSC stated that the show's sexual content goes beyond what is considered acceptable, even by the relatively lenient standards applied to over-the-top (OTT) platforms such as Netflix.

The final level of disciplinary action will be determined following the formal hearing.

In the same meeting, the KCSC also issued an administrative warning to the TVN drama No Gain, No Love for repeated use of blurred-out middle finger gestures and muted profanity.

It remains to be seen what specific sanctions, if any, will be imposed on A Virtuous Business following the upcoming hearing.

Netflix and JTBC have not yet publicly responded to the KCSC's decision.