JTBC is facing yet another problem.
Snowdrop‘s follow-up series When the Day Breaks (working title) is now suspected of glamorizing the Communist Party. With the ongoing controversy over Snowdrop, concerns over JTBC dramas are mounting.
When the Day Breaks is based on the Chinese novel “The Long Night” by Zijin Chen. The original work faced suspicion of being a propaganda novel for Chinese president Xi Jinping.
To make things worse, Zijin Chen posted a controversial post in August 2019, denigrating the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong. He wrote, “Who are these people calling for Hong Kong’s independence? People who do not have a proper job, are lazy and idle, and one day suddenly decided to become a revolutionary.”
When the news of the drama adaptation by JTBC hit the wire, some raised suspicions that the network was trying to “glorify China’s communist party”. However, the official clarified, “We have adapted the socialism, communism, and the character to suit Korean culture.”
When the Day Breaks revolves around an incident where a terrorist suspect is caught in the heart of a crowded city. However, the shocking truth behind the attack surfaces as criminal filers investigate the terrorist. This new project, directed by Crash Landing On You director Lee Jung Hyo, completed a stellar cast, including Jung Yu Mi and Han Suk Kyu. Last week, media outlets reported that the series halted its production midway to “reorganize for perfection.”
However, many speculate that the network decided to suspend the production because of the severe backlash over Snowdrop. Though no future news about When the Day Breaks have come out yet, the public opinion is mostly negative.
Meanwhile, Snowdrop has been accused of historical distortion, denigrating the pro-democracy movement, and glorifying the spies since the premiere. According to media outlets, Snowdrop writer Yoo Hyun Mi and director Jo Hyun Tak are accused of violating the National Security Law.
Source (1)
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