Perfect Crown Apologizes for Inaccurate Portrayal of Royal Rituals The production team behind the K-drama Perfect Crown, starring Byeon Woo-seok and IU, issued a formal apology after facing widespread criticism for its depiction of Joseon-era (1392-1910) royal rituals. The controversy emerged as the series neared its conclusion, with viewers and historians accusing the show of misrepresenting historical practices that diminished the perceived sovereignty of Korean royalty. The apology, posted on the production’s official website, acknowledged the team’s failure to thoroughly research the evolution of Joseon court rituals and etiquette, which led to inaccuracies in key scenes. Central to the backlash was a coronation sequence in which Byeon Woo-seok’s character, Grand Prince I-an, ascends the throne while wearing the Guryu Myeonryugwan, a headpiece traditionally reserved for feudal rulers under an emperor. Court officials in the scene chanted “Cheonse” (“Long live for a thousand years”), a phrase historically associated with vassal states subordinate to an empire. Critics argued this undermined the portrayal of an independent Korean kingdom, as the phrase should have been “Manse” (“Long live for ten thousand years”), which symbolized the sovereignty of an independent sovereign nation. The controversy also focused on the royal headpiece itself. Historically, emperors or sovereign rulers of independent states wore the Sibi Myeonryugwan, adorned with 12 strands of jade beads, while the Guryu Myeonryugwan was reserved for subordinate rulers. The drama’s use of both elements, critics claimed, evoked Joseon’s tributary relationship with imperial China rather than depicting a fully autonomous kingdom.#disney #byeon_wooseok #iu #perfect_crown #o_fanhouse_studio
IU Apologizes for Historical and Acting Controversies in 'Perfect Crown' Drama Singer and actor IU, whose MBC weekend drama "Perfect Crown" concluded with a peak viewership rating of 13.8%, addressed fans during a group viewing event at the CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul on May 16, coinciding with her birthday. Despite the drama’s record-breaking ratings, IU expressed regret over criticisms of her acting and historical inaccuracies in the production. During the event, she acknowledged her shortcomings, vowing to take responsibility and strive for improvement. “I must do better for you, even if it’s just a little,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to becoming someone her fans, whom she called “Uaena,” could be proud of. Her emotional speech, which included a heartfelt apology for her perceived inadequacies, left her visibly moved, with tears welling up as she bowed deeply to her audience. The drama, written by Yoo Ji-won and directed by Park Joon-hwa and Bae Hee-young, concluded on May 16 with a final episode viewership rating of 14.1% in the capital region, 13.8% nationwide, and 5.9% among viewers aged 20–54, setting a new record. It ranked first in Saturday programming with a peak of 16.1% (Nielsen Korea). However, the series faced significant backlash from the outset due to controversies surrounding its portrayal of historical and cultural elements. Critics highlighted issues such as the leads’ acting performances, a repetitive palace fire scene, and unconvincing plot developments. The drama’s alternate history premise, which depicted a split Korean Empire after King Jeongjo, was also scrutinized for its handling of historical accuracy.#iu #perfect_crown #mcgovern #yoo_ji_won #park_joon_hwa
IU and Byun Woo-seok's "The Grand Prince's Wife in the 21st Century" Achieves Strong Opening Ratings Singer-actor IU and actor Byun Woo-seok's new drama, "The Grand Prince's Wife in the 21st Century," made a strong debut, securing a viewership rating of 7.8% nationwide in its first episode. The MBC Friday-Saturday drama, which premiered on April 10, 2026, surpassed expectations and outperformed competing shows airing at the same time. According to Nielsen Korea, the series recorded 7.8% of viewers nationwide, with a 3.8% share in the 2054 demographic, a key indicator of channel competitiveness. The show also achieved a triple crown in the Seoul metropolitan area, demonstrating its appeal across different audience segments. The drama’s performance marked a significant milestone, as it surpassed the 6.7% viewership of SBS’s "God and Law Firm," which had previously dominated the Friday-Saturday slot. "God and Law Firm" saw a sharp decline in ratings, dropping from its previous 9.5% to a lower figure, allowing "The Grand Prince's Wife in the 21st Century" to take the top spot for the first broadcast of the week. This success was anticipated, given the high-profile cast and the drama’s pre-broadcast buzz. IU, known for her versatility as a singer and actress, stars as Sung Hee-joo, a character determined to defy fate. Byun Woo-seok portrays Prince Ian, a figure burdened by the weight of destiny. The drama’s premise centers on their dynamic, as Sung Hee-joo proposes to Prince Ian, setting the stage for a complex narrative of love, conflict, and personal choice. The series airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:40 p.m., a time slot traditionally popular for dramas.#iu #byun_wooseok #the_grand_prince_s_wife_in_the_21st_century #mbc #nielsen_korea
