Aema: Release date news, cast details, streaming details and more about the upcoming comedy K-drama

Netflix is surely expanding its K-library every month and Aema is the latest addition to the platform's list of K-dramas, which will debut on August 22, 2025.

In addition to this, the platform announced a bunch of K-dramas for the third quarter, including exciting titles like Genie, Make a Wish, You and Everything Else and As You Stood By.

Directed and written by Lee Hae-young (Phantom), the comedy K-drama Aema follows two actresses as they navigate the highly competitive and male-dominated Korean film industry in the 1980s. The meta K-drama will feature the production of Madame Aema, a fictional and the country's first erotic film by a rookie director.

In addition to a fictional tale about two actresses, the K-drama will also explore the Korean film industry of the 1980s and how different it was from the current times.

More on this in our story.

Aema plot details: Netflix's new K-drama to explore Korea's film industry in the 1980s

According to IMDb, the official synopsis for the K-drama reads as follows:

In 1980s Korea, Hui-ran and Joo-ae collaborate on the erotic film Madame Aema. The daring work provokes censorship but achieves sensational box office triumph.

With the stakes quite high and the script demanding risky and erotic scenes, A-list and seasoned actress Jeong Hee-ran declines the production's request to star in the titular erotic film. However, this opportunity is seized by newcomer and aspiring actress Shin Ju-ae, who accepts the bold role fearlessly.

Ju-ae not only accepts the role but also claims that she is determined to be “the next Jeong Hee-ran,” and this unconventional role will pave the way to her success.

After Ku Jung-ho, the CEO of Shinsung Pictures, locks Hee-ran in a supporting role for the movie, the stage is set for the women to butt heads and compete against each other. However, as they begin to work together on Madame Aema, they realise that behind the glitz and glamour of the Korean film industry lies a system that continually takes advantage of women.

Hee-ran and Ju-ae team up to push back and carve a name as accomplished actresses in the male-dominated industry.

Aema release date and cast details

According to recent announcement, Aema is a part of Netflix's Korean titles for the third quarter and will premiere on the platform on August 22, 2025. The K-drama will consist of six episodes, which will drop simultaneously.

The K-drama boasts an impressive cast, led by actresses Lee Ha-Nee (Hee-ran) and Bang Hyo-rin (Ju-ae).

Lee Ha-Nee is known for her appearances in Pasta, The Fiery Priest and The Rebel Hong Gil Dong. She will play the role of an accomplished actress who declines to play the lead in Korea's first erotic movie.

Bang Hyo-rin has previously worked in K-dramas including Hail to Hell and How Do I Kill that B? She will play the intrepid newcomer actress, who was a former nightclub dancer.

Actors Jin Seon-kyu (The Uncanny Counter, Space Sweepers) and Cho Hyun-chul (D.P., Hotel Del Luna) round up the cast for Aema. While Seon-kyu plays the role of Ku Jung-ho, the CEO of Shinsung Pictures, Hyun-Chul essay a rookie director named Kwak In-u, who is ambitious about his first film.

Aema will stream on Netflix on August 22, 2025.

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