The controversy over historical distortion surrounding the recently concluded MBC drama "The Grand Princess of the 21st Century" is spreading to Chinese online communities and social media (SNS). After criticism arose in Korea that the use of the term "cheonse (千歲)," the nine-strand ceremonial crown, and the tea ceremony depiction in the drama evoked Chinese imperial culture, Chinese internet users are debating the issue, saying, "It's a fictional drama, so why make it a problem?"
According to reports, the controversy stemmed from lines and direction in the drama. Set in an "constitutional monarchy Republic of Korea" in a world where the Japanese colonial period and World War II never occurred, the drama drew criticism that its rituals and attire recalled a Chinese emperor-vassal order.
At the prince's enthronement ceremony, vassals shouted "cheonse (千歲)" instead of "manse" to the sovereign of an independent state, and the crown worn by the prince was depicted in the "nine-strand crown" style, not the twelve-strand crown used by monarchs, which became an issue. Cheonse and the nine-strand crown are known in the Chinese imperial cultural sphere as expressions and symbols associated with vassal-level figures under the emperor. There was also criticism that, in a tea ceremony scene, letting tea water flow over a tea tray evoked a Chinese-style tea ritual. In traditional Korean tea ceremonies, a waste-water vessel is often used instead of a tea tray.
As the controversy widened, the production team apologized and said it would revise the audio and subtitles of the contentious scenes. Lead actors IU and Byeon Woo-seok also posted apologies on SNS regarding the issue.
The controversy has reached China. Local entertainment media reported on the historical distortion dispute, and among Chinese internet users, the prevailing reaction was, "It's a fictional setting anyway, so what's the problem?" On China's social media (SNS) Weibo and the online community Baidu Tieba, numerous posts and comments were uploaded with points such as "It's just a fictional drama unrelated to history," "Korean internet users are overreacting," and "It only disrupts immersion in the drama."
On a Weibo post by a local entertainment outlet that shared the news, many sharp comments also appeared, such as "It was originally a vassal state, so the setting is natural," "Korean internet users who claim historical distortion are actually trying to steal China's history," and "The screenwriter merely respected history."
At the same time, some said, "It's natural to see criticism when real history is drawn into a fictional world," and "It's an issue that could be sensitive in Korea." On drama communities such as Douban, there is a mood in which evaluations and critiques of the work's setting and completeness are more active than the historical distortion controversy itself.
However, Disney+, the global streaming platform for "The Grand Princess of the 21st Century," is not officially available in mainland China at this time. Local viewers are presumed to be watching the drama by accessing via virtual private networks (VPNs) or by using unofficial domestic streaming and subtitle-sharing platforms.