“Perfect Crown”: From blockbuster expectations to calls to cancel the show.

VHO - Despite achieving high viewership ratings, the drama "Perfect Crown" became the focus of controversy due to accusations of historical inaccuracies and the use of cultural elements inaccurately. The fierce backlash not only forced the production team to issue an apology but also sparked debate about the responsibility of South Korean content producers in the era of global streaming.

Years after the scandal surrounding the drama Joseon Exorcist , which was canceled after only two episodes due to details deemed to be "Sinicizing" Korean history, the South Korean entertainment industry is facing a similar crisis with Perfect Crown .

The film, starring IU and Byun Woo Seok, faced a wave of intense criticism, with many even calling for its complete cancellation.

Controversy surrounding the drama began to spread when viewers discovered numerous inaccuracies regarding Korean history and royal rituals. However, signs of overconfidence on the part of the production team had appeared early on, even before the drama aired.

Despite its success, the drama "Perfect Crown" faced a wave of boycotts from viewers.

During the press conference for the project's launch in April, IU shared her excitement about it. The singer and actress said that the later episodes would be much more captivating than the first one and revealed that director Park Joon Hwa believed it would be a "breakthrough project" for the entire team. Later, during an appearance on the online show Salon Drip, the cast members recounted how the director repeatedly asserted that the drama would help them all become "stars."

Initially, these comments were seen as expressions of expectation and belief in the project. However, when controversy erupted, many opinions suggested that the film crew seemed to focus too much on the scale of investment, media attention, and the appeal of the star-studded cast, neglecting careful historical research.

Controversy intensified during the scene where King Lee Ahn ascends the throne, as the drama uses the appellation "cheonse" (long live) instead of "manse" (long live) – a symbol for an independent nation. Many viewers argue that "cheonse" is a term used for vassal states. Additionally, the scene where the female lead, Seong Hee Joo (IU), drinks tea with the Queen Mother also drew criticism for being heavily influenced by Chinese tea ceremony rituals.

These details raise suspicions that the production team borrowed foreign cultural imagery without considering the historical context of Korea.

The wave of criticism intensified when renowned history lecturer Choi Tae Sung publicly spoke out on social media. He expressed his disappointment at the entertainment industry's repeated mistakes. "Another controversy over historical distortion. Are we goldfish that we keep forgetting the old lessons?" he wrote.

Choi Tae Sung continued to criticize production companies for being willing to spend huge sums on actors' salaries but lacking serious investment in historical consulting. According to him, in the context of Korean films being watched by a global audience, any mistakes could lead to misunderstandings about the nation's culture and history.

Perfect Crown was released on Disney+ and reached the Top 10 in 47 countries across various regions such as Asia, Europe, and North America. The series also topped the global non-English language television category during its broadcast. Because of this widespread reach, viewers are concerned that inaccurate details in the show could lead the international public to misunderstand Korean history.

Despite facing ongoing controversies, Perfect Crown achieved impressive viewership ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, the final episode recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 13.8%. However, commercial success was not enough to save the drama from the growing wave of protests.

Actors IU and Byun Woo Seok apologize to the audience after the incident.

Under pressure from public opinion, the producers were forced to issue an apology on the film's official website. The team admitted to causing concerns regarding the world- building and historical research, and stated that some controversial scenes had been cut following public reaction.

The main cast members also spoke out. During a fan viewing event for the final episode, IU emotionally apologized for not showing more responsibility towards the work. The actress admitted that she hadn't thought deeply enough about the historical context and cultural significance of the drama.

Meanwhile, Byun Woo Seok stated that he realized actors also have a responsibility to the message and meaning of the projects they participate in. The actor said he hadn't carefully considered how the work might be interpreted in different ways.

Despite its high viewership ratings, Perfect Crown became one of the most controversial dramas of the year. The controversy also sparked a larger debate about responsibility to history, cultural authenticity, and the role of the South Korean entertainment industry in the context of its growing global influence.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/nghe-thuat/perfect-crown-tu-ki-vong-bom-tan-den-lan-song-doi-huy-phim-230382.html