What good is it to have the highest ratings and be No. 1 in buzz? The lead actor apologized in tears, and a planned interview was canceled. In the end, only a bitter aftertaste remained.
MBC Friday-Saturday drama Perfect Crown (written by Yoo Ji-won, directed by Park Jun-hwa) ended with a happy ending on the 16th, but noise continues. The final episode recorded a nationwide rating of 13.8% according to ratings firm Nielsen Korea, setting a personal best, but it was not an ending that suited the phrase "a good finish."
Perfect Crown drew expectations from before its broadcast thanks to the casting of the hottest actors Byeon Woo-seok and IU. It was the winner of an MBC drama script contest, and because it was set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy with a planned romance between IU and Byeon Woo-seok, it was expected to be popular. Holding the No. 1 spot in buzz rankings from before the first broadcast showed intense interest in the work. Ratings steadily rose from 7.8% at the first broadcast, and although the rise was not steep compared with the buzz, it ended above 13%. By the numbers alone, it was successful.
But aside from the numbers, can Perfect Crown be considered a success in every aspect? Lead actors IU and Byeon Woo-seok were both embroiled in acting controversies early in the broadcast, and critics say the thin story and childish directing, such as three palace fire scenes, did not improve over episodes. In addition, in the latter part the 'sub male lead' Min Jung-woo (played by Noh Sang Hyun) failed to gain sympathy due to an incomprehensible emotional line. Despite being No. 1 in ratings in its time slot, the work was plagued by ongoing controversy.
The problem exploded just before the finale. In episode 11, broadcast on the 15th, Crown Prince Ian (played by Byeon Woo-seok), who ascended to the throne, wore the guryu-menryugwan and participated in the coronation, and the ministers shouted "cheonse." In the past, in Joseon, the guryu-menryugwan and cheonse were interpreted as evidence that Jeju State was subordinated to the emperor state. After the broadcast, viewers pointed out that such a setting could provide a pretext for China's historical distortion project in northeast Asia.
On the 16th, the production team of Perfect Crown apologized on its official website, saying, "We sincerely bow our heads and apologize for causing concern due to issues with worldbuilding settings and historical verification. We take viewers' criticism that the scene in which the king wears the guryu-menryugwan at the coronation and the ministers shout cheonse undermines Korea's autonomous status very seriously," and they edited the controversial parts. Even apart from story and directing criticisms, the historical distortion issue was a fatal blow. IU and Byeon Woo-seok, as the lead actors who carried the work, could not be free from responsibility.
IU bowed her head. On the 16th, IU reserved a movie theater at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul for a birthday event and held a group screening of Perfect Crown with fans. After the screening, IU apologized, saying, "It is truly my fault to have disappointed you or shown an inadequate side. I will take responsibility and do better," and added, "I have been thinking a lot recently. I really should have done better. If there are parts where I am lacking, please tell me more, scold me more, push me more, and I will listen more and work hard to become a better person."
IU bowed to fans at a 90-degree angle, repeatedly expressed gratitude and said, "I will try harder," then reddened around her eyes and finally shed tears. With the criticism aimed at the anticipated work continuing, she could not help but feel heavy as a lead actor. IU, who received praise in her previous drama When Life Gives You Tangerines for playing two roles, experienced a disappointing result as an actor.
Meanwhile, actor Lee Jae Won, who played Seong Tae-ju, the brother of Seong Hee-ju (played by IU) and received a good response, canceled a planned post-finale interview. Studio Yoohu, the agency, told OSEN, "We are taking the public opinion and situation surrounding the work very seriously."
Although Perfect Crown recorded No. 1 in buzz and the highest ratings, it was a bitter ending in which neither the production team nor any of the cast could smile broadly.
[Photo] Provided by MBC.
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