MBC’s Perfect Crown, starring IU and Byeon Woo Seok, is facing a formal broadcast review over its historical distortion controversy, 171 days after the drama ended. Both lead actors issued public apologies over the backlash in May this year.
The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) is scheduled to discuss complaints about the drama during a subcommittee meeting on November 3rd. Depending on the findings, the review could lead to legal sanctions, including an official warning or formal disciplinary action.
IU and Byeon Woo Seok had already apologized publicly in May. On May 18th, IU addressed the controversy on social media, admitting she had not given enough thought to the script’s historical inaccuracies before taking on the role.
“I have no excuse for not thinking more deeply about the historical issues in the drama before acting in it. I sincerely reflect on my actions and apologize,” she wrote. She also acknowledged that she had failed to recognize the concerns early enough.
Byeon Woo Seok released a handwritten apology on the same day. He admitted that he had not sufficiently considered the historical context and significance of the drama’s content or how viewers might interpret it.
The controversy centered on a coronation scene in Episode 11, which aired on May 15th. In the scene, Byeon Woo Seok’s character, Prince Ian, wears a nine-beaded ceremonial crown historically associated with kings who ruled under the authority of Chinese emperors. Officials also chant “Cheonsei,” an expression traditionally used to honor kings of tributary states.
Viewers criticized the scene for portraying the fictional Korean monarch as a subordinate ruler rather than an independent sovereign. They argued that Prince Ian should have worn a 12-beaded imperial crown and received the chant “Mansei,” both traditionally associated with imperial authority and independence. The scene sparked accusations that the drama undermined Korea’s historical sovereignty and national identity.
The production team responded the following day with an apology on the drama’s official website. The team said it took viewers’ concerns seriously and promised to revise the audio and subtitles in the controversial scene as quickly as possible for future broadcasts, VOD releases, and OTT streaming services.
Screenwriter Yoo Ji Won also apologized on May 19th. She explained that Perfect Crown was conceived as a romantic fantasy set in a fictional constitutional monarchy. However, she acknowledged that the production lacked sufficient historical research and accuracy when adapting Joseon-era royal traditions for its modern fictional setting.
Korean broadcasting regulations prohibit the distortion of facts and require broadcasters to respect national dignity and pride. They also identify the promotion of national identity and the preservation and development of Korean culture as part of broadcasters’ public responsibilities.
MBC will have an opportunity to explain its position before any formal sanctions are determined. If the commission finds a violation, it can review the case and request sanctions from the Korea Communications Media Commission. If the issue is deemed minor or no violation is found, the matter could instead end with a nonbinding recommendation or advisory notice.
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