Perfect Crown has been utterly devastated. Starting with controversies over the actors' performances, followed by clumsy settings and story development, and then adding sensitive allegations of historical distortion, criticism of the work has shown little sign of subsiding even after its finale.
According to Nielsen Korea, a TV viewership research company, the final 12th episode of MBC's Friday-Saturday drama Perfect Crown, which ended on the 16th, recorded a nationwide household rating of 13.8%, its highest ever. However, it has since come under fire over allegations of historical distortion.
The coronation scene also became the focus of controversy. In the scene where Grand Prince Ian (played by Byeon Woo-seok) ascends the throne, wearing a gu-ryu menryugwan and attendees shouting "cheonse" were pointed out as problematic. Although the work is set in a fictional constitutional monarchy, the use of what appeared to be Chinese-style elements instead of the symbols of a sovereign of an independent country, such as the shipyeom menryugwan and the exclamation of "manse," spread into allegations of historical distortion.
Tea ceremony scenes involving characters were also criticized. In the scene where Seong Hee-ju (played by IU) and their counterpart Yoon I-rang (played by Gong Seung-yeon) drink tea, the method of placing a water receptacle, setting the tea utensils on it, and then pouring the tea was pointed out as resembling a "Chinese-style tea ceremony." Especially amid heightened sensitivity over historical issues such as Northeast Project, criticism that a Korean drama had simply borrowed Chinese culture led to the controversy spreading.
Ultimately IU showed tears and apologized. To celebrate her birthday, IU rented a theater at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and watched the final episode of Perfect Crown with fans.
At the time, IU said, "Lately I have been preparing an album more and more and the drama is heading toward its end, so I feel like I should do better. I feel I should be more responsible and do better these days," adding, "I must do at least a little better for you. It is truly my fault if I cause disappointment or show inadequate aspects."
She said, "I will truly carry out my responsibilities and do well. I must be someone my U-Aena (fan club name) can be proud of," and promised, "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. It is something I really should have done better. As someone who receives your love, I will do better. To become IU who shows more responsibility and better sides, I will not waste a single moment and will live well."
IU also emphasized, "Even though I still have many shortcomings, I am grateful for your love and support. Everything you say has a reason, and I think I must accept all of it. If there are things I lack, please tell me more, scold me more, urge me more; then I will listen more and work hard to become a better person."
Finally, she reportedly said, "I said this late, but I love you, I want to show you a better side, and I'm sorry that shortcomings keep appearing; thank you for continuing to give me chances and for your affection and attention. Anyway, I will truly try harder and do better," and ended up with reddened eyes.
Meanwhile, actor Lee Jae Won, who played Seong Hee-ju's older brother Seong Tae-ju in the drama, canceled interview schedules as a result of the controversy. On the 18th, his agency Studio Yuhu said, "We are acutely aware of the public sentiment and situation surrounding the work. In this context, we thought it would be delicate and potentially burdensome to the work as a whole and to viewers for the actor to conduct a personal interview."
They added, "The actor is also viewing the situation with a heavy heart as a member of the work, and after comprehensively considering various circumstances, this interview is inevitably difficult to proceed with," asking for the reporters' understanding.
As controversy surrounding the work spread to the actors and the repercussions grew, Perfect Crown is likely to have difficulty escaping the aftershock for some time.
[Photo] OSEN DB, SNS
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