MBC’s “Perfect Crown” is facing another round of criticism after a full marathon broadcast was scheduled despite the drama’s recent history distortion controversy.
According to the MBC ON schedule, all episodes of “Perfect Crown” are set to air on May 24 from 10:30 AM until 1:10 AM the next day.
The channel planned a full rerun so viewers can watch the drama from the first episode to the finale for about 14 hours and 40 minutes.
The schedule quickly drew backlash because director Park Joon Hwa, IU, and Byeon Woo Seok had only recently apologized over the controversy.
Some viewers criticized the decision, saying, “Read the room,” and “Are you trying to have a power struggle with viewers?”
However, according to reports, the marathon broadcast had already been scheduled before the controversy began. MBC ON mainly airs reruns of MBC dramas, variety shows, and other programs, and “Perfect Crown” was added to the schedule after its main broadcast ended.
A channel official explained, “We are aware of the controversy surrounding the work and have scheduled it with as much edited footage as possible.”
The official also said the controversial line, “A thousand years, a thousand years, ten thousand thousand years,” will be muted in the rerun.
The official added, “It is difficult to completely cancel the schedule right now because there is no proper replacement programming.”
They also noted that reruns are being scheduled on other cable channels, including ENA Drama and The Life, so the broadcast will continue with edited versions of the controversial parts.
“Perfect Crown” came under fire after episode 11 showed an enthronement scene involving Grand Prince Ian, played by Byeon Woo Seok.
Viewers criticized the use of a nine string crown and the phrase “a thousand years,” saying the details could wrongly make Korea look like a vassal state rather than an empire.
The controversy led to public apologies from the director, writer, and lead actors IU and Byeon Woo Seok.
