MBC’s drama “Perfect Crown” is facing stronger backlash as a National Assembly public petition calling for the drama’s removal passed 80% support only 3 days after being posted.
The petition was officially posted on May 22 under a request to stop the broadcast and remove the content from media platforms due to historical distortion and Northeast Project controversy.
As of 5 PM on May 25, more than 41,000 people had agreed with the petition, reaching 82% of the required number.
The petitioner claimed that although “Perfect Crown” is set in a fictional Republic of Korea, the drama “carelessly borrowed Chinese style clothing, manners, and words,” which they argued could cause cultural and historical misunderstanding.
The biggest issue came from episode 11, which aired on May 15. In the scene, Grand Prince Ian, played by Byeon Woo Seok, appeared in an enthronement ceremony wearing a nine tasseled crown instead of a twelve tasseled crown.
Viewers criticized this because the nine tasseled crown is being linked to a lower royal status, while the officials also shouted “Cheonse, cheonse, cheoncheonse”.
The petitioner argued that these details could make the fictional Korean royal family look like a vassal state and could give support to historical distortion claims.
The petition also pointed to the use of Chinese style tea ceremony scenes and mixed royal symbols as major concerns.
The petitioner criticized the production team’s plan to edit the scenes after broadcast, saying that simple audio and subtitle changes were not enough because K content spreads quickly through global OTT platforms.
They also requested the removal of the drama from domestic and overseas VOD and OTT platforms, as well as stronger measures against the production company.
After the controversy grew, the production team released an official apology and edited the controversial parts in reruns and OTT services by muting the audio and removing the subtitles. Director Park Joon Hwa, writer Yoo Ji Won, IU, and Byeon Woo Seok also issued apologies.
However, many viewers are still saying that post broadcast edits are not enough. The petition will remain open until June 21, and if it reaches 50,000 approvals within 30 days, it will be sent to the relevant National Assembly committee for official review.
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