MBC’s Friday Saturday drama ‘Perfect Crown’ is drawing attention not only for its strong ratings, but also for its bold alternate history setting.
Historian Shim Yong Hwan recently shared his thoughts on the drama’s historical background and setting through his YouTube channel ‘Shim Yong Hwan Living in the Present’.
While he said the drama’s attempt at alternate history is meaningful, he also pointed out that some parts need a more careful approach.
Shim said, “To put it coldly, it was influenced by a Japanese plot”, adding, “If this is denied, then that is historical distortion”.
The drama is set in a fictional 2026 South Korea where the country is a constitutional monarchy. Shim explained that viewers may be familiar with countries like the United Kingdom and Japan, where democracy and monarchy exist together.
However, he argued that the drama seems to have borrowed a story structure often seen in Japanese animation and novels.
He also pointed out what he saw as one of the drama’s biggest historical problems. In the story, Grand Prince Ian, played by Byeon Woo Seok, holds real political power as a regent. Shim called this “the biggest error and historically impossible.”
He explained, “Joseon was a country that strictly blocked interference from royal relatives after experiencing the betrayal of King Sejo, also known as Grand Prince Suyang, in its early period.”
Shim also questioned whether a constitutional monarchy could realistically exist in South Korea. He said, “The Joseon royal family did nothing after it fell”, while referring to the historical situation after Korea’s liberation.
However, his review was not only negative. Shim said that although ‘Perfect Crown’ may look like a “low level alternate history work” from a historian’s point of view, it is still “clearly an interesting experiment in creating Korean style culture.”
He added that he hopes more detailed and creative stories will help Korean culture grow in a new way, separate from British, American, or Japanese styles.
Despite the criticism, ‘Perfect Crown’ continues to show strong popularity. Episode 8, which aired on May 2, recorded 11.6 percent in the metropolitan area and 11.2 percent nationwide, setting a new personal best for the drama.
The drama also had a strong start with 7.9 percent nationwide and 8.2 percent in the metropolitan area for its first episode. On Disney Plus, it ranked No. 1 worldwide in the Korean series category just five days after release.
‘Perfect Crown’ follows the romance between Sung Hee Joo, a commoner from a chaebol family played by IU, and Grand Prince Ian, played by Byeon Woo Seok, who longs for freedom despite his noble status.
While some viewers have criticized the drama’s political setting, class system, and some acting performances, many are still enjoying it as a romantic comedy.
Viewers have especially praised the sweet chemistry between IU and Byeon Woo Seok, along with the drama’s detailed and beautiful visuals.
Source: [1]
