Season 1
5 episodes Aug 29, 2023
Overview
Shin Dong-youp and Sung Si-kyung embark on a laughter-filled journey to Taiwan, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of its sex culture and business.
Seasons
1 listed- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 5 episodes
- First aired
- Aug 29, 2023
- Last aired
- Aug 29, 2023
- Network
- Netflix
Latest episode: S1 E5 Dating, Sex, and Love Life in Taiwan (Aug 29, 2023)
Cast
Reviews
6 min readThe Pleasure Principle: How Risqué Business: Taiwan Turns Taboo Into Conversation
I’ll admit it: I wasn’t sure what to expect from a Korean reality series about Taiwan’s adult entertainment industry. But Risqué Business: Taiwan surprised me. It’s not a salacious exposé or a titillating travelogue.
Instead, it’s a surprisingly tender, often funny, and occasionally profound attempt to understand how a society talks (or doesn’t talk) about sex. That’s not to say it’s perfect. The series is short—just five episodes—and its breezy runtime means some topics feel rushed.
But what lingers is the hosts’ genuine curiosity, their willingness to listen, and the way the show frames sex not as a scandal, but as a part of life that deserves to be discussed with respect. In a cultural moment where sex is either hyper-commercialized or weaponized, Risqué Business: Taiwan feels like a quiet rebellion.
The hosts, Shin Dong-yup and Sung Si-kyung, are an odd but effective pair. Shin, a comedian, brings a lighthearted energy, while Sung, a singer, often plays the more reserved counterpart—though both are quick to admit when they’re out of their depth. Their dynamic is key to the show’s success.
They’re not there to judge or sensationalize; they’re there to learn, and their reactions—whether it’s Shin’s nervous laughter at a sex toy demonstration or Sung’s earnest questions about queer relationships—make the series feel more like a conversation than a lecture. That approach is especially evident in the first episode, where they visit the Taiwan Adult Expo (TAE). The expo is a far cry from the seedy, underground image I’d imagined.
Instead, it’s a brightly lit convention hall filled with booths selling everything from lingerie to high-tech vibrators. The hosts wander through the crowds, chatting with vendors and attendees, and what strikes them (and the viewer) is how normal it all feels. One woman tells them she comes to the expo every year with her husband, not as a kinky outing, but as a way to explore their relationship.
Another booth is run by a group of middle-aged women who treat sex toys like kitchen gadgets—something practical, not shameful. Shin and Sung’s reactions are priceless: a mix of surprise, amusement, and, eventually, admiration. The episode doesn’t shy away from the industry’s complexities.
They meet adult entertainers who are treated like idols, with fans lining up for autographs. One performer, a young woman in a schoolgirl uniform, explains that she sees her work as a form of empowerment, not exploitation. The hosts listen, nod, and ask follow-up questions, but they don’t press her on whether she really feels that way.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsShin Dong-yup and Sung Si-kyung Return for Risqué Business: Taiwan—Here’s What We Know
The Korean variety show Risqué Business is back with a new international edition, this time setting its sights on Taiwan. Risqué Business: Taiwan (2023), created by Jung Hyo-min, reunites hosts Shin Dong-yup and Sung Si-kyung for a five-episode deep dive into the island’s adult entertainment culture. The series, a follow-up to Risqué Business: Japan, promises a mix of interviews, conversations, latestnetflix.com contends, and behind-the-scenes exploration—all delivered in Korean with English subtitles 
.
A Familiar Format with a Fresh Locale
The show retains the structure of its predecessor, blending talk-show elements with investigative flair. Episodes run between 30 to 40 minutes, offering a compact but immersive look at Taiwan’s sex industry through the lens of its hosts. Shin and Sung, both established figures in Korean entertainment, bring their signature chemistry to the project, balancing humor with curiosity as they navigate unfamiliar territory .
While the exact guest lineup remains under wraps, the series’ premise suggests encounters with local personalities, industry insiders, and performers. IMDb’s cast list includes names like Marica Hase and Chris Cock, hinting at a mix of international and Taiwanese talent 
. However, details about their roles or specific episode appearances are scarce in the available evidence.
Behind the Scenes: Why Taiwan?
The choice of Taiwan as the next destination isn’t entirely surprising. The island has a complex and evolving relationship with adult entertainment, blending legal brothels, underground scenes, and cultural taboos. For a show like Risqué Business, which thrives on exploring "unknown worlds" of adult culture, Taiwan offers a rich tapestry of stories—from historical red-light districts to modern-day debates over legalization .
Jung Hyo-min, the series’ creator, has kept production details close to the chest. There’s no confirmation on whether the team faced challenges filming in Taiwan, such as local regulations or pushback from conservative groups. However, the show’s lighthearted tone—emphasized in descriptions as "laughter-filled"—suggests a focus on accessibility rather than controversy .
Reception and Rumors
Early reactions to Risqué Business: Taiwan appear cautiously positive. Reviews describe it as a "decent introduction" to the subject, though some critics note the series’ brevity may leave viewers wanting more depth . The show’s reliance on Korean-language interviews (with English subtitles) could also limit its appeal to non-Korean-speaking audiences, though this hasn’t been a major point of discussion in the available snippets.
Rumors about potential spin-offs or future seasons are unconfirmed. Given the show’s format—each season tackling a new country—it’s plausible the team is already eyeing other destinations. But for now, Risqué Business: Taiwan stands as a standalone experiment in cross-cultural variety TV.
What’s Next?
With only five episodes, the series is a quick watch, but its impact remains to be seen. Will it spark broader conversations about Taiwan’s sex industry, or will it fade as a niche curiosity? For fans of Shin and Sung, it’s at least another chance to see their dynamic in action. For everyone else, it’s a rare glimpse into a world rarely explored on mainstream Korean television.
Coverage of Risqué Business: Taiwan is still thin, with most details confined to basic synopses and cast lists. Until more interviews or behind-the-scenes footage emerge, the show’s legacy will hinge on its ability to balance entertainment with insight—a tightrope act for any series tackling taboo subjects.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.