Primetime drama sparks controversy over 'racy' scenes.
Mar 23, 2026
Hanoi [Vietnam], March 23: The focus of the controversy is the TV series "Countdown Clock," currently airing on VTV3, which repeatedly features scenes deemed inappropriate for a mass-market television drama .
Directed by Bui Tien Huy, The Countdown Clock initially garnered attention for its psychological and social tone mixed with surreal elements, revolving around the journey of characters Thanh and Linh Chi in carrying out "missions" to prolong the lives of their loved ones. However, in recent episodes, the plot has gradually shifted towards a darker tone with the appearance of antagonists, leading to a series of controversial violent and sexual scenes.
Notably, the appearance of the character Tho, played by Lan Phuong , became a "hot topic" of debate. Tho is portrayed as a wealthy and powerful "rich woman" with a distorted emotional life, even showing signs of personality disorder. This character has a complicated relationship with Chien (Binh An), leading to a series of violent, controlling, and manipulative events.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
