Will Perfect Crown Be CANCELLED? Petition To Take Show Down Gets 1500 Signatures Despite IU, Byeon Woo-Seok's Apology

Perfect

Crown might have wrapped up, but the controversies surrounding the show refuse to die down. Despite apologies from its cast and creators, looks like the series might be on its way to be taken down. A national petition demanding the cancellation of the drama has now gained massive traction online, with thousands of people signing in support within just days. The historical fantasy series, starring IU and Byeon Woo-Seok, recently came under fire over allegations of historical and cultural distortion. Although the production team has already apologised, edited controversial scenes and promised corrections, public outrage has shown little sign of slowing down and the debate around the show is still continuing in South Korea.

Perfect Crown to be taken down?

According to reports, a petition calling for the cancellation of Perfect Crown was uploaded to the National Assembly’s public petition board on May 22. The petition’s author argued that while the drama claims to be set in a fictional version of Korea, it still allegedly incorporated several Chinese-style cultural elements in ways viewers found problematic. The concerns mainly revolve around clothing, ceremonial etiquette and terminology used in the series, which critics believe distort Korean history and identity.

The petitioner also claimed the show could indirectly contribute to narratives linked to China’s controversial Northeast Project, which has often sparked tensions over cultural ownership and historical interpretation between the two countries. Despite repeated apologies from the makers, the backlash has continued growing online. As of the afternoon of May 23, the petition had already collected nearly 15,000 signatures. Under South Korean parliamentary rules, the matter could be officially reviewed if the petition crosses 50,000 signatures within 30 days.

All about Perfect Crown controversy

The controversy particularly escalated after Episode 11 of Perfect Crown aired scenes involving Grand Prince Ian, played by Byeon Woo-Seok, during a coronation ceremony. Critics pointed out that subjects in the scene chanted Cheon-se instead of Man-se. According to viewers, Cheon-se was historically associated with vassal states, while Man-se symbolised sovereignty and independence in Korean history.

Another major criticism involved the king’s ceremonial crown in the scene. Viewers argued that the nine-sectioned crown used in the drama resembled attire historically associated with Chinese subjects, whereas independent Korean emperors traditionally wore twelve-sectioned crowns. Following the backlash, the production team issued an official statement apologiding to viewers. The makers acknowledged concerns regarding world-building and historical accuracy and promised immediate corrective action. They further announced that the controversial scenes would be edited for future rebroadcasts, VOD releases and OTT streaming versions.Director Park Jun-hwa, writer Yoo Ji-won and lead actors IU and Byeon Woo-Seok also publicly apologised over the issue. Both IU and Byeon Woo-Seok reportedly shared handwritten apology letters addressing viewers’ disappointment and acknowledging the seriousness of the concerns raised by audiences. IU even broke down while saying sorry.However, the apology and edits have not been enough to calm public anger. With the petition numbers continuing to rise rapidly, the 50,000 figure might not take long. Perfect Crown's fate will then be decided by The National Assembly.