The drama Perfect Crown has caused controversy over historical distortion, and the Wanju Culture and Tourism Foundation, which had planned tours to visit the drama's filming locations in person, has canceled the schedule entirely.
On the 19th, the Wanju Culture and Tourism Foundation posted a lengthy statement on its official social media saying, "We have thoroughly reviewed the various opinions raised regarding the planned '21st century daegun story tour.'"
That day, the foundation explained the tour's purpose, saying, "This program was planned as a tourism program based on K-drama filming locations that have received much love at home and abroad, to introduce Wanju's hanok spaces and local culture," and "in particular, we sought to connect the architectural beauty of the hanok houses Awon Gotaek and Soyang Gotaek, known as filming locations, and the value of traditional spaces and local cultural resources to tourism content."
It added, "However, because various opinions were raised during the program's 추진 과정, the foundation has taken them seriously and, after internal discussion, decided to cancel the operation of the '21st century daegun story tour.'"
The foundation also pledged, "Wanju Culture and Tourism Foundation will continue to carefully plan and operate cultural tourism content that visitors can relate to, based on a correct understanding of local cultural heritage and historicity," and "in the future, when integrating diverse cultural content with local tourism resources, we will more carefully consider the region's historicity and cultural context and proceed more cautiously."
Meanwhile, in episode 11 of Perfect Crown, which aired on the 15th, an image was captured of the emperor (king) of the independent state wearing a guryumyeongwan, which signifies a vassal of the emperor, rather than a sipimyeonryugwan, which has 12 strings of jewels and is worn by an emperor.
Also depicted was a scene in which they shouted 'cheonse'—used by a vassal state when it is subordinated to an imperial state—rather than 'manse,' the symbol of an independent state, sparking controversy over historical distortion and northeast project issues.
Facing strong public criticism, the production team posted an apology on its official website on the 16th, and on the 18th lead actors IU and Byeon Woo-seok also posted apologies and bowed their heads.
Below is the full text of the Wanju Culture and Tourism Foundation notice
The Wanju Culture and Tourism Foundation has thoroughly reviewed the various opinions raised regarding the planned "21st century daegun story tour."
This program was a tourism program planned to introduce Wanju's hanok spaces and local culture, based on K-drama filming locations that have received much love at home and abroad.
In particular, we sought to consolidate the architectural beauty of the hanok houses Awon Gotaek and Soyang Gotaek, known as filming locations, and the value of traditional spaces and local cultural resources into tourism content.
However, because various opinions were raised during the program's 추진 과정, the foundation has taken them seriously and, after internal discussion, decided to cancel the operation of the "21st century daegun story tour."
Wanju Culture and Tourism Foundation will continue to carefully plan and operate cultural tourism content that visitors can relate to, based on a correct understanding of local cultural heritage and historicity.
In the future, when integrating diverse cultural content with local tourism resources, we will more carefully consider the region's historicity and cultural context and proceed more cautiously.
Also, based on the various opinions you provided this time, we will more carefully examine the region's cultural value and publicness and operate as a more trusted cultural tourism program.
We thank everyone who showed interest and sent opinions.<
[Photo] MBC Perfect Crown, SNS
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