"Historical distortion 'Grand Duchess': The public speaks with one voice [Star Issue]"

*This content was translated by AI.

'21st Century Grand Duchess' is facing intense controversy over historical distortion, with a flood of demands to cancel the work.

MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Duchess' (script by Yoo Ji-won / directed by Park Jun-hwa and Bae Hee-young) concluded its 12-episode run on the 16th with a high viewership rating of 13.8%, but throughout its broadcast, it was plagued by controversies over 'historical distortion' and historical inaccuracies.

During its broadcast, Shim Yong-hwan, director of the History N Education Research Institute, pointed out that "the historical research is generally lacking. The premise that Prince Lee An (played by Byun Woo-seok) serves as regent in place of the young king is historically impossible," and further noted that "the plot was also influenced by Japan."

Shim Yong-hwan also expressed his anger, stating, "Joseon was not a country that used a point-penalty system. The point-penalty system in the royal school of '21st Century Grand Duchess' shows a complete lack of understanding of Joseon. I am so angry. This point-penalty system is a form of blind obedience from top to bottom, like 'do as you are told,' that emerged during the Japanese colonial period and the authoritarian regimes; it is not Joseon culture. In Joseon, even when writing answers, students wrote essays, discussed, communicated, and deliberated to seek the truth."

Furthermore, '21st Century Grand Duchess' made errors by referring to Seong Hee-ju (played by IU) not as a wife but as a 'military wife,' and by including issues with costume research and even directing a Chinese-style tea ceremony.

The production team's attitude, devoid of historical awareness, ultimately exploded at the conclusion. Problems were revealed in various scenes of the king's coronation ceremony in the episode broadcast on the 15th. Prince Lee An wore a 'Guryu Myeonryugwan' (a nine-streamer crown) used by Chinese vassal states, rather than the 'Sibimyeonryugwan' (ten-streamer crown) used by the Emperor of an independent nation. The ministers chanted "Cheonse, Cheonse, Cheoncheonse" (Long live, Long live, Long, long live), which is used by vassal states, rather than "Manse" (Long live), the symbol of an independent nation. An even bigger problem is that this work is being released globally via the global OTT Disney+, resulting in the tragedy of historical distortion scenes being exposed to international viewers without any corrections.

While public outrage is boiling, the sale of '21st Century Grand Duchess' derivative content is proceeding, causing further commotion. Despite committing the fatal error of 'historical distortion,' the production team left an insincere apology, dismissing the issue as merely a "world-building setting and historical research matter."

Among them, Open House Studio Audrey published the '21st Century Grand Duchess' script book as scheduled on the 18th. Regarding the 'historical distortion' controversy that erupted ahead of the publication, they announced, "Since the first edition has already been produced and priced, the publisher will do its best to minimize inconvenience to readers by providing guidance on corrections and taking follow-up measures. For customers who purchased the first edition, we plan to provide a digital correction page (PDF) reflecting the corrected content negotiated with the '21st Century Grand Duchess' production team via the publisher's official Instagram account starting May 18. We will also provide a download link along with a Google Form for applying for physical correction stickers."

Moreover, on the 16th, the full web novel of '21st Century Grand Duchess' was uploaded to the Kakao page. This too had previously exposed "Cheonse, Cheonse, Cheoncheonse" before being deleted late.

Consequently, a flood of comments demanding the 'cancellation' of the work has poured onto the '21st Century Grand Duchess' web novel page. Netizens are issuing strong criticism, saying things like, "Why is a Dongbeongongjeong (Northeast Project) drama being turned into a web novel?", "I don't know what this author did to receive a script award from MBC and have a novel pushed out in addition. The author hasn't even done the most basic research," "The author should stop writing," "Does the Kakao page support the Northeast Project?", "Is the author really Korean? It looks like they are a traitor at this point," "The Kakao page really has no sense of timing," "Are they really posting this now?", "Take down the work," "The title is wrong. It should be 'Vassal Wife'," "It's even more surprising that they launched a web novel for a drama that sells out the country by mixing in Northeast Project and 'Ilppong' (Japanese addiction). Even if the money is good, are they desperate to betray the country?", "Are they saying it's okay to sell out the country as long as they make money?", "Are they having fun making money through the Northeast Project?", "It's too shocking and a bit sad that a Korean drama has so blatantly and intentionally placed the Northeast Project at the forefront. This is our culture and history; let's cherish it a bit more," "Do they want to make money by selling out the country through the Northeast Project? The novel, the drama, and the script book should all be cancelled."

In fact, the SBS drama 'Joseon Exorcist,' which aired in March 2021, was cancelled after just two episodes due to controversies over 'historical distortion' and the 'Northeast Project.' At that time, the national petition to 'stop the broadcast of Joseon Exorcist' received over 130,000 signatures in just one day. In light of this, netizens are citing the case and demanding the cancellation of '21st Century Grand Duchess' with one voice. "If the truth had been revealed from the first episode like 'Joseon Exorcist,' it would have ended early," and "It seems they will continue like this. Since it was successful, it should be completely removed," are the predominant reactions.

Among them, writer Yoo Ji-won has remained silent, so the controversy is expected to continue. Writer Yoo won the 2022 MBC script competition with the original script '21st Century Grand Duchess.' Director Park Jun-hwa, the director, is scheduled to proceed with the '21st Century Grand Duchess' post-finale interview as planned on the 19th. It remains to be seen whether Director Park will reveal his stance regarding the public's demand for 'cancellation.'

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*This content was translated by AI.