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
