On Media, the owner of OCN and the rights to HBO cable movie networks announced Thursday that it plans to launch a multiplex channel 'HBO Plus' on February 1 as a part of its programming of adult films, for those aged over 19, during the night. Designating the hours from 11:00pm to 5:00am as 'Erotic Island,' the channel is planning to screen domestic and foreign adult movies including ones from the Playboy channel, M6 (a French TV station), China, Hong Kong, Japan, and India.
In celebration of the launch, HBO Plus will screen the full version of "Yellow hair 2," starring transgender entertainer Ha Ri-su on February 1, followed by "Monella 2," "Tears," "Crash," "Bambola," "Woman of the Night" and Between Your legs.
In a similar move, Sky Life is setting March 1 as the opening day of its satellite service, unveiling its erotic adults only channel, 'Spice TV,' screening XXX movies targeting adults also from 11:00pm to 5:00am. Regarding the degree of suggestiveness, a Sky Life official said it would allow no more than above the waist nudity.
Managing director of HBO's Korean operations Heo Byeong-il insisted that the company was aiming to produce a sound adult culture at home, enabling couples to enjoy good quality adult movies.
Even though the channels are fee based and applicants are screened, it is expected to invite some social antagonism in terms of erotic content and degree of suggestiveness.
(Jin Seong-ho, shjin@chosun.com)
