K-dram Perfect Crown, starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok, recently aired its finale. Although it ended on a series high with 13.8% ratings on MBC, many felt the script fell apart and couldn’t live up to the star power of its leads. What’s worse, it also triggered major controversy over its historical depiction that has now prompted apologies on all sides. IU had tearfully apologized and bowed 90 degrees to fans during her birthday fanmeet, and both stars also released handwritten apologies.
What Happened?
In the show set in a fictional 21st century constitutional monarchy, Korean viewers were upset by scenes that appeared to show the country as a vassal state of China. During the coronation ceremony for Byeon Woo-seok’s character, the ministers were chanting long live the king by saying “Cheonse (a thousand years)” instead of “Manse (ten thousand years).” The king also wore a “nine-tasseled crown” rather than the “twelve-tasseled crown” for emperors. These details, associated with “vassal states”, led to the show being accused of undermining Korea’s sovereignty. Even the choice of tea sets drew criticism.
Perfect Crown’s production team issued an official apology, admitting insufficient historical research. They quickly made changes, including changing the controversial “Cheonse” to “Manse.”
Both Stars Issue Apologies
Meanwhile, IU said that over the past few days she carefully read every comment and felt deeply burdened for failing to show sufficient responsibility as the lead actress. She admitted that she “immersed herself in the role without deeper historical consideration” and felt ashamed for not reviewing the script more carefully. She added that she would work harder with greater care in the future.
Byeon Woo-seok shared a similar statement, ““Over the weekend, I worried that my words might cause further hurt, so I write this with a heavy heart.” He acknowledged that during filming he did not sufficiently consider the historical context and significance embedded in the work, nor how audiences might perceive it. He added that the criticism and feedback from viewers led him to reflect, “I realized once more that, as an actor, I should not only concentrate on acting but also more responsibly understand the messages and context a work conveys.” He concluded by apologizing again and promising to approach future projects with greater care and maturity.
Despite the controversy, many fans also left supportive comments and felt the actors shouldn’t be blamed for the issue.
*K
I normally don’t leave comments, but I had to jump in here. I don’t understand why the lead actors are taking the blame when the responsibilities lie with the scriptwriters, director, and producers. Let’s just say that the actors brought these historic inaccuracies to the directors and writers, would they even listen and change the scripts? Realistically, I think it is highly unlikely they would make changes. If the stories leak that the actors want to make changes, then they also get in trouble for exercising too much control and flexing their star power. Can’t win no matter what! People need to realize that these are fictional stories and settings.
Kai
I think the Koreans are just too insecure in themselves to quibble over this. They quibble over everything that threatens to derail their image of themselves. Heck, they even claimed that Confucius was a Korean.
For two thousand years, the Korean was a vassal or tributary state of imperial China. There wasn’t only one Korean kingdom in earlier times; there were 3 separate kingdoms on that peninsula. The Kingdom of Silla was found by a person with Chinese blood. Political relationships and territorial boundaries waxed and waned over the different dynasties. Even during the last imperial Qing dynasty, the Kingdom of Joseon (the last Korean kingdom before their annexation by the Japanese) was still delivering tributes to the Qing Emperor.
That’s why Korea’s original script was based on hanzi, which was only officially replaced by hangul in the mid 20th century. They used and still use the Chinese calendar system, they adopted and still practise Confucianism and Taoism. Their imperial rules, protocols, etiquette etc were heavily influenced by the Chinese system, including the Imperial exam system for selection of civil servants. Even their fashion and dressing were influenced by the Chinese. Once, a costumed C-drama set in the Ming Dynasty caused a controversy because the Koreans were accusing the Chinese production team of copying the Korean costumes. Imagine the red faces when they found out the truth.
If this was a fictional historical drama, all they had to to do is set it in the correct historical time frame when Korea was still a vassal state of imperial China. Koreans cannot argue against their own history. (Or maybe they can since they have claimed Confucius to be Korean.)
Seriously, what has the actors and actresses got to do with the production mistakes? Their job is only to interpret the characters they are playing, and act well.
Meimei
Aren’t Chinese people and Korean ppl the same? Chinese netizens ARE JUST TOO INSECURE in themselves to quibble over similar topics all the time too. This is not just a ONE RACE issue…this insecurity present itself in every ASIAN race I’ve seen so far. Stupid online arguments.
Kai
No dear. Chinese and Korean people are not the same. Obviously, you must be like some Koreans who declared that Confucius was Korean. You must the representative stupid asian.
Wendy
Could someone explain why the actors/actresses are being held accountable? Is the show’s producer/directors/set designers/scriptwriters not being held accountable at all? I feel like I’m missing some context…Are the actors being thrown under the bus to be the scapegoats for the production team and/or is this a small few loud commenters just taking advantage of the scenario to bring trouble to the actors or is it really the Korean general public blaiming the actors? I’m so confused right now.