The production team of KBS’s The First Night With the Duke (working title) has decided to discard all footage filmed at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Byeongsan Seowon, following a backlash over damage to the historic site.
On January 17th, it was reported that KBS reached this decision after discussions with Andong City Hall and the Cultural Heritage Administration. This decision indicates that KBS has chosen to exclude all scenes filmed at Byeongsan Seowon from the drama, regardless of whether they show the damaged areas.
Andong City formally requested the deletion of the footage on January 6th, and KBS has agreed to comply. The broadcaster is expected to issue a public apology and implement new filming guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The controversy began when architect Min Seohong shared a post on Facebook on December 30th, detailing his visit to Byeongsan Seowon and his shock at witnessing damage to the cultural property.
>> Police Report Filed Against Seohyun and Ok Taecyeon’s New Drama for Damaging Cultural Heritage Site
“I want to document my eyewitness account of Byeongsan Seowon,” Min wrote. “I was shocked by what I saw—various objects that appeared to be drama props were scattered around, and several staff members were hammering nails into wooden pillars to hang lanterns. Looking closer, I noticed numerous lanterns already hanging from the pillars.”
Min also criticized the incident, saying, “It’s appalling that such damage occurred during the filming of a KBS drama, a public broadcaster.”
An investigation revealed that the production team had hammered nails into seven spots, including six locations on the Mandaeru pillars and one on a Dongjae pillar, to hang decorative model lanterns. Each nail left a mark approximately 2–3mm wide and about 1cm deep.
Located in Andong, Gyeongbuk Province, Byeongsan Seowon is a historic site designated as National Treasure No. 260. It is one of nine Confucian academies in Korea recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is privately managed by the descendants of Seoae Ryu Seongryong, one of the Joseon dynasty’s most notable scholars.
>> Watch Amasian TV on lgchannels.com: Now available on Channel 250 in the U.S. and Channel 263 in Canada or Amasian.tv.
Source (1)
