Petition to Remove ‘Perfect Crown’ Surpasses 30,000 Signatures Amid Historical Distortion Controversy
The controversy surrounding Perfect Crown continues to escalate as a public petition demanding the drama’s removal from all media platforms has now surpassed 30,000 signatures amid accusations of historical distortion and alleged connections to China’s “Dongbei Project” narrative.
As of 5 p.m. KST on May 24, the petition posted on South Korea’s National Assembly public petition board on May 22 had exceeded 60 percent of the required approval threshold, gathering more than 30,000 signatures.
The petition, titled:
“Request to suspend broadcasting and remove content from all platforms due to historical distortion and Dongbei-style historical revisionism”
argues that although Perfect Crown is set in a fictional version of Korea, the drama repeatedly incorporates:
Chinese-style costumes
Chinese court etiquette
Language and cultural elements associated with imperial Chinese traditions
The petitioner claims these portrayals amount to historical distortion and cultural misrepresentation that undermine Korean cultural identity.
The petition further calls for:
Immediate suspension of the drama’s broadcast
Complete removal of all related content from VOD and OTT services
Stronger regulations against productions accused of harming national identity
The petitioner also cited Article 5 of South Korea’s Broadcasting Act, which states that broadcasting content should strengthen national identity and promote healthy public values.
Additionally, the petition argues that productions accused of undermining Korean culture or history — even under the label of “fiction” — should face stricter consequences, including:
Exclusion from government funding programs
Restrictions related to broadcasting licenses
The controversy intensified following Episode 11, which aired on May 15 and featured a coronation scene involving “Prince Ian,” portrayed by Byeon Woo Seok.
Many viewers criticized the ceremonial crown worn in the scene, arguing that it resembled a crown traditionally associated with tributary states rather than imperial royalty.
Some viewers also pointed to ritual chants and ceremonial elements they believed resembled traditional Chinese imperial court culture, leading to accusations that the drama reflected narratives associated with China’s controversial “Dongbei Project.”
Following the backlash, the production team issued an official apology and revised the episode for rebroadcast and streaming platforms by:
Muting certain audio sections
Removing subtitles from controversial scenes
The director and screenwriter also publicly apologized through interviews and statements, while lead actress IU expressed regret regarding the controversy.
Meanwhile, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) confirmed that portions of the episode had indeed been edited or removed.
Despite these measures, public opinion remains deeply divided.
Critics argue that post-production edits and apologies are not enough and continue demanding the drama’s complete removal from all platforms.
Others, however, believe that the calls for cancellation have become excessive and argue that the drama’s artistic intent and overall value should also be considered.
The petition will remain open for signatures until June 21. If it reaches 50,000 approvals within 30 days, it will officially be referred to a relevant standing committee of South Korea’s National Assembly for formal review.
Source : allkpop
