Age ratings for Korean dramas and films

Korean television programs use five rating levels: suitable for all ages, 7 and over, 12 and over, 15 and over, and 19 and over. The number indicates the minimum age the content is considered suitable for, and a 19+ rating means the content is regarded as harmful to minors. Detailed criteria follow the rating rules set by Korea's broadcast review authority.

The circled number shown in a corner of the screen is the program's age rating. A 15 means the show is rated for viewers 15 and over, and a 19 means 19 and over. The mark appears when the program starts and during the broadcast so that viewers can check the rating at any time while watching.

Broadcasters assign ratings to their own dramas according to rating rules set by the national broadcast review body. If a rating turns out not to match the content after airing, the review body can examine the program and impose sanctions. That is why dramas in the same genre can carry different ratings.

No. Korea has designated youth protection hours during which programs rated 19 and over cannot be broadcast, so 19+ dramas are usually scheduled late at night. As of November 2026, the exact hours differ between weekdays and holidays or school vacations, so check the current regulations for details.

On television, 7, 12 and 15 ratings work mainly as guidance that viewers below that age need parental supervision. Unlike a cinema, nothing physically stops a child from watching; the mark helps families decide at home. A 19+ rating is stricter because the content is classified as harmful to minors.

Certain programs, such as news and sports broadcasts, are generally exempt from displaying age ratings. Ratings mainly apply to produced content like dramas, variety shows and films. The categories that are exempt are set out in Korea's broadcast rating rules.

Yes. Theatrical films are rated by the Korea Media Rating Board in five categories: all ages, 12 and over, 15 and over, restricted to adults (no minors), and restricted screening. Unlike TV, where broadcasters rate their own shows, films must be classified by the board before release. You can find a film's rating on its poster or ticket booking page.

For films rated 12 and over or 15 and over, younger viewers may watch when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Films restricted to adults are different: minors cannot watch them even with a guardian. Cinemas have their own checking procedures, so look at the guidance when you book.

Because minors cannot watch films restricted to adults, cinemas may check your age at the entrance. Foreign travelers should carry identification such as a passport. The legal age that defines a minor in Korea is set by law, so check the cinema and official guidance for details.

Restricted screening is a rating for films with extremely high levels of sexual content, violence or similar elements. Such films may only be shown in specially designated restricted cinemas, not ordinary theaters, and their advertising is also limited. Because few audiences can see them, producers sometimes re-edit a film and apply for a new rating.

Since March 28, 2023, government-designated streaming operators have been allowed to classify the ratings of their own content. Before that, titles had to go through the Korea Media Rating Board. Self-assigned ratings are still subject to oversight afterward, and the way ratings are labeled can vary slightly from service to service (as of November 2026).

It can. The broadcast cut and the online version may be edited differently, and the organization assigning the rating and its criteria may also differ, so the label can change. When watching with children, it is best to go by the rating shown on the screen you are actually using.

No. Each country has its own rating system and criteria, so Korea's 15 rating does not line up exactly with a similar number elsewhere. The same drama may be rated separately abroad by local authorities or platforms. When watching outside Korea, check the rating shown in that country.

The Korea Media Rating Board considers elements such as theme, sexual content, violence, dialogue, fear, drug use and risk of imitation. It looks at the intensity and context of the expression as a whole rather than a single factor. The reasons behind each rating can be checked title by title on the board's website.

Korean broadcasting has review standards that discourage glamorizing or overly showing smoking, so cigarettes are often blurred on screen. Even when a smoking scene matters to the story, editors tend to reduce how visible it is. Content released online may follow different standards and sometimes shows it unblurred.

When a 19+ drama begins, a notice states that it is not appropriate for viewers under 19, along with the rating mark. The message is meant to help guardians decide whether children should watch. The rating assigned to the series stays on screen even if the content varies from episode to episode.

Yes. Trailers and promotional materials are also subject to classification and are rated separately from the feature film. That means even an adults-only film can release a toned-down trailer that reaches a wider audience. Trailers shown in cinemas need to carry a rating suitable for the audience of the film they play before.

TV parental lock settings and the kids profiles or PIN locks on streaming services let you block content above a certain rating. The Korea Media Rating Board has also published a guide summarizing the child protection features of different services. Feature names and steps differ by device and service, so check each provider's instructions.

Film ratings can be searched by title on the Korea Media Rating Board website and also appear on booking pages and posters. For broadcast dramas, check the rating mark on screen and the broadcaster's program page. Streaming services display the rating on each title's detail page.

No. A rating tells you which age groups the content is considered suitable for, not how good the work is. There are acclaimed shows rated for all ages and others rated 19+, and the label alone says nothing about quality. Use it as a reference for deciding whether the content suits you and your family.