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K-drama, Perfect Crown, set in an alternate modern-day Korea as a constitutional monarchy, recently faced public backlash over historical inaccuracies in its portrayal of the royal court. Episode 11, which featured the coronation of Grand Prince Ian, drew criticism for depicting the monarchy as a vassal state of China, with ceremonial phrases and regalia inconsistent with Korea’s independent royal traditions. In response, the production team issued an apology. And now, on May 18, after the series finale, the lead actors, IU and Byeon Woo-Seok, personally apologised. Both expressed remorse for not fully considering historical context, emphasizing their commitment to greater responsibility in future works.
IU and Byeon Woo-Seok publicly apologise for Perfect Crown controversy
Taking to her Instagram,
IU, who portrayed Seong Huiju in
Perfect Crown, expressed deep regret over the recent controversy surrounding the drama. She said she had carefully read viewers’ comments and felt that, as a lead actor, she had failed to act responsibly, causing disappointment. Reflecting on the historical inaccuracies highlighted by audiences, IU admitted that she had not approached her role with sufficient thought or preparation."I should have read the script more carefully and studied more as an actor, but I did not, and I am ashamed of myself for that. I did not have a proper sense of the issues in advance. I apologize," she penned. IU promised to take future projects more cautiously and responsibly, appreciating the criticism she received.
On the other hand,
Byeon Woo-Seok also took to his Instagram account to express concern over the recent backlash, saying he had worried that his words might unintentionally cause further harm. He admitted that while filming, he did not sufficiently consider the historical context of the play or how it might be received by the audience.
In light of the audience's response, Byeon admitted that he needs to approach his work with more responsibility, taking into account not only his performance, but also the larger message and context of a production. "Going forward, I will become an actor who takes on projects with an even more cautious and thoughtful attitude. I apologize," he wrote.
What is Perfect Crown controversy?
The
Perfect Crown controversy refers to the historical inaccuracies in its depiction of the coronation ceremony. Viewers argued that the scenes made Korea appear subordinate to China. The backlash, which gained momentum after Episode 11 aired, focused on two key details: the chant and the crown. During Grand Prince I-an’s (Byeon Woo-Seok) coronation, officials were shown chanting “Cheonse,” a term historically used by vassal states, instead of “Manse,” which signifies national sovereignty. Additionally, the king wore a “guryumyeonryugwan,” traditionally linked to tributary kingdoms, rather than the “shipimyeonryugwan” used by independent Korean rulers.
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