With Perfect Crown ending, it is stirring up controversy over late-stage historical distortion. Singer and actor IU also drew attention by welling up in front of fans, seemingly aware of the show's controversy.
MBC's Friday-Saturday drama Perfect Crown ended with episode 12 (final episode) broadcast on the 16th. According to Nielsen Korea, Perfect Crown's episode 12 recorded a series-high nationwide household rating of 13.8%. However, the historical distortion controversy that broke out in the latter part of the work heated drama fans even more than the ratings.
The problematic scene was revealed in episode 11 of Perfect Crown, where in the coronation scene in which Grand Prince Iaan (played by Byeon Woo-seok) ascends the throne, he wore a 'guryu myeonryugwan' and the attendees also shouted 'cheonse.' Even though Perfect Crown set up a fictional constitutional monarchy, the composition that the emperor of an independent country wore a 'sipimyeonryugwan' and used 'manse,' different from historical reality, sparked controversy over historical distortion.
The characters' Chinese-style tea ceremony scenes were also problematic. In the scene where Seong Hee-joo (played by IU) and the queen dowager Yun I-rang (played by Gong Seung-yeon) drink tea together, they used a water basin with the tea set placed on it and poured tea in a way described as a 'Chinese-style tea ceremony.' Given the widespread resentment caused by China's historical distortion through its northeast project, critics said it was another provocation for a Korean drama to provide an excuse.
On the day the drama ended, IU rented a theater at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to celebrate her birthday and watched the final episode of Perfect Crown with fans. After the screening, while greeting fans, IU was seen finally becoming tearful.
At the time IU said, I have been preparing an album more and more lately and the drama is heading toward its end, so I think that's why I feel this way these days, opening by saying I should do better. I should be more responsible and do well, and I think these days I have the thought that I must be a little better for you. I really shouldn't disappoint you or show inadequate aspects, which is truly my fault.
She said, I will really carry this out with responsibility. I must be someone proud for our Uena (fan club name), and recently I have been thinking a lot. There are things I really should have done better. As someone who receives your love, I will do better. I will be more responsible and show better aspects; I will not waste a single moment and will live well, she said firmly.
IU also emphasized, I still have many lacking parts, and I am grateful that you love and support me. Everything you say has reasons, and I think all of it is something I should accept. If there are parts where I am lacking, please tell me more, scold me more, urge me more, and I will listen more and work hard to become a better person.
Finally she said, I said this late, but I love you, and I want to show you a better side, but I am sorry that there continue to be lacking parts; thank you for continuing to give me chances, affection and attention. Anyway, I will really try harder and do well, and in the end she reddened her eyes, it was reported.
Criticism over historical distortion surrounding the end of Perfect Crown is hot. IU, the show's lead actor, happened to indirectly mention the controversy surrounding the work at the event held on the day of the finale. Earlier, the production team also apologized and announced on the official website its policy to edit and revise the relevant scenes in response to the historical distortion controversy. IU's act of apologizing first in front of fans drew even more attention.
However, as of the afternoon of the 17th, the historically distorted scenes of Perfect Crown have only had the sound of the 'cheonse' part edited out on MBC replays, and they still appear on OTTs and other platforms. Regarding this, MBC and Disney+ have not issued separate official statements.<
[Photo] Provided by MBC, source SNS.
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