As the MBC drama "21st-century Daegunbuin" is mired in accusations of distorting history, the writer who penned the script apologized following the lead actors and the director.
Writer Yu Ji-won posted an apology on the official website on the afternoon of the 19th, saying, "I sincerely apologize for causing disappointment and concern to viewers over the authenticity controversy surrounding '21st-century Daegunbuin.'"
Yu said, "In the process of applying Joseon-era etiquette to the present day and depicting a fictional modern royal family, I fell short in thorough research and verification," adding, "In particular, the scene in which a guryumyeongwan was worn at the enthronement ceremony and 'cheonse' was chanted as sanho was my fault for failing to carefully consider the historical context that should have been weighed when applying Joseon rites to the present day."
Yu said, "Out of caution that I might cause even greater discomfort, it took time for me to say this, and I ended up inconveniencing more people," adding, "I once again offer my deepest apology to everyone who was hurt by the lack of depth in my deliberation." Yu continued, "I will take to heart the criticism and feedback from viewers, and I will look back on and reflect on myself for having fallen short as a writer."
21st-century Daegunbuin is the winner of the 2022 MBC script contest and Yu's debut work. The drama is set in a world where the Japanese colonial period and World War II did not occur and depicts a "constitutional monarchy Republic of Korea," but criticism arose that the rites and attire shown in the series evoke a Chinese-style emperor–vassal hierarchy.
For example, at Grand Prince Ian's enthronement ceremony, the retainers shouted "cheonse (千歲)" to their sovereign of an independent state instead of "manse," and the grand prince's coronet was presented in the form of a "guryumyeongwan" rather than a twelve-stringed myeongwan, drawing scrutiny. Cheonse and guryumyeongwan are known, respectively, as expressions and symbols associated in the Chinese imperial cultural sphere with figures of vassal rank under the emperor.
As the controversy grew, the production team apologized and decided to edit the audio and subtitles of the disputed scenes. Lead actors IU and Byeon Woo-seok also posted apologies on social media regarding the controversy.