Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Season 1 – Aema

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Aema Aug 2025 Comedy History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
86% Tomatometer 7 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In 1980s Korea, a movie star and a starlet defy male-dominated industry rules and backstage corruption while filming the provocative "Madame Aema."
Watch on Netflix Stream Now

Where to Watch

Aema — Season 1

Critics Reviews

View More
William Schwartz Book & Film Globe Nov 5
A complete fictionalization of the production of Madame Aema, one that goes so far as to change the names and the personal stories of all the actual people involved — probably for the sake of avoiding lawsuits. Go to Full Review Weiting Liu Common Sense Media Oct 3
Stylistically, Aema avoids meticulous realism in favor of a more theatrical, almost staged approach. At times the sets and aesthetics feel off-brand or even a little cheap, which unexpectedly works in the show's favor. Go to Full Review Ruchika Bhat Digital Mafia Talkies Aug 31
4/5
Half the male characters are repulsive, and the others are stupid, so it feels almost meta that the film they’re making in the show, “Madame Aema,” is hoping to give a stage to female pleasure and agency. Go to Full Review Joel Keller Decider Aug 25
Aema is a funny, fast-moving story about the changing world of Korean cinema in the 1980s and how two women changed things even more by taking some power from the men in the industry. Go to Full Review Pierce Conran South China Morning Post Aug 23
3.5/5
Driving this show, beneath its vivid and voluptuous surface, is the suffering of those who had to pretend the hardest that nothing was wrong, those who hid their pain in plain sight, under cracked smiles and make-up: women. Go to Full Review Sarah Musnicky But Why Tho? A Geek Community Aug 22
8.5/10
Centered by two incredibly strong, complicated female characters, Aema holds nothing back in its examination of the film industry and its complexities. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Aema — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Lee Ha-nee

Jung Hui-ran

Bang Hyo-rin

Shin Joo-ae

Jin Seon-kyu

Koo Joong-ho

Cho Hyun-chul

Kwak In-oo

Woo Ji-hyeon

Actor

Lee Joo-young

Actor

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Aug 22, 2025 Disgusted by the steamy "Madame Aema" script, Jeong Hee-ran refuses the lead role; her vengeful producer retaliates by casting a rookie instead. Details Episode 2 Aired Aug 22, 2025 Even before filming starts, the crew faces challenges, tensions grow between Hee-ran and Shin Ju-ae and strict censorship forces script changes. Details Episode 3 Aired Aug 22, 2025 Ju-ae battles a demanding film set and doubts her acting, but proves her grit; she steps into a mansion that gives her an ominous feeling. Details Episode 4 Aired Aug 22, 2025 Shocked by a glimpse of the industry's dark side, Ju-ae faces a career-defining choice; will she play it safe or take Hee-ran's bold advice to fight? Details Episode 5 Aired Aug 22, 2025 In the middle of the night, Hee-ran finds Ku Jung-ho's secret ledger; the director finds all the film reels have vanished without a trace. Details Episode 6 Aired Aug 22, 2025 "Madame Aema" sweeps Korea, bringing Ju-ae fame; at a live award ceremony, Hee-ran steps into the spotlight and gets unexpected help from Ju-ae. Details

More Like This

View All
Chicken Nugget 100% 69% Chicken Nugget Watchlist TRAILER for Chicken Nugget Mr. Plankton 40% 90% Mr. Plankton Watchlist Queenmaker 100% 91% Queenmaker Watchlist Celebrity 80% 89% Celebrity Watchlist Daily Dose of Sunshine 100% 91% Daily Dose of Sunshine Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Aema — Season 1

Aema Aema Aema Aema View more photos

Season Info

Director
Lee Hae-young
Screenwriter
Lee Hae-young
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Comedy, History, Drama
Original Language
Korean
Release Date
Aug 22, 2025
More Top TV Picks Netflix