'Grand Duchess' Controversy Fallout.. Wanju County "Cancels Filming Site Tour, Will Operate Carefully with Correct Historical Perspective" [Official] [Full Text]

*This content was translated by AI.

'21st Century Grand Duchess' historical distortion controversy has sparked backlash affecting tourism projects at major filming sites in Wanju County, North Jeolla Province.

The Wanju Culture and Tourism Foundation posted an official notice on its SNS account on the 19th, stating, "We have thoroughly reviewed various opinions raised regarding the planned '21st Century Grand Duchess Story Tour'."

The foundation had previously planned the '21st Century Grand Duchess Story Tour' program, linking it to filming locations of the popular MBC drama '21st Century Grand Duchess'. The program was scheduled to take place on the 21st and 22nd in Soyang-myeon, Wanju County, the filming site, featuring traditional experiences and an OST mini-concert, with advance applications already accepted. However, due to the drama becoming embroiled in a historical distortion controversy, the foundation decided to cancel all scheduled events.

The foundation stated, "This program was designed to introduce Wanju's Hanok spaces and local culture based on K-drama filming sites loved by many both domestically and internationally. Specifically, we aimed to connect the Hanok architectural beauty of Awon Old House and Soyang Old House, known as filming locations, along with the value of traditional spaces and local cultural resources, into tourism content. However, given that various opinions were raised during the program's development, the foundation has carefully considered these views and, after internal discussions, decided to cancel the '21st Century Grand Duchess Story Tour'."

They added, "The Wanju Culture and Tourism Foundation will continue to carefully plan and operate cultural tourism content that tourists can resonate with, based on a correct understanding of local cultural heritage and historical perspective. In the future, when integrating diverse cultural content with local tourism resources, we will proceed with greater caution, fully considering the region's historical perspective and cultural context. Furthermore, based on the various opinions received this time, we will more attentively examine the region's cultural value and public interest, operating as a more trusted cultural tourism program."

Meanwhile, director Park Jun-hwa, the main director of '21st Century Grand Duchess', apologized with tears during a finale interview held on the 19th regarding the controversy.

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*This content was translated by AI.