Historical Accuracy Debate on 21st Century Korean Military Drama

Yoo Ji-won, the writer of MBC's drama "The Grand Prince of the 21st Century," has apologized for the historical distortion controversy. Through the drama's official website, the writer sincerely apologized to viewers for causing disappointment and concern, and repeatedly expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by insufficient historical accuracy.

The writer admitted, "There was a lack of thorough research and historical verification in the process of applying Joseon's etiquette to modern times and depicting a fictional modern royal family." She explained that the criticism regarding the wearing of the "Guryumyeongwan" (a type of crown) and the use of the expression "Cheonse" (meaning "ten thousand years," used by vassals) during the coronation scene was an oversight due to not carefully examining the historical context. She added that she would take to heart the criticisms and feedback from viewers and reflect on her shortcomings as a writer.

"The Grand Prince of the 21st Century" was selected as the winner of the 2022 MBC Screenplay Competition and is Yoo Ji-won's debut work. The drama is a romance fantasy set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy in South Korea. However, in the 11th episode aired on the 15th, the scene depicting Prince Ian's coronation ceremony sparked controversy over historical distortion, as it showed him wearing the "Guryumyeongwan," a crown used by feudal lords, and shouting "Cheonse," a term used by vassals, instead of "Manse" (meaning "ten thousand years"), the symbol of a sovereign nation.

This historical distortion controversy led to criticism that it could undermine Korea's sovereign status and provide a pretext for China's Northeast Project. Professor Seo Kyeong-deok of Sungshin Women's University criticized these issues through social media, emphasizing that historical content viewed by global audiences should not only be historically accurate but also carefully check for historical distortions by neighboring countries.

As the controversy escalated, lead actors IU and Byun Woo-seok, as well as director Park Joon-hwa, also issued apologies one after another. The actors posted handwritten apologies on social media, and Director Park, visibly emotional in an interview, stated that he felt the greatest responsibility on behalf of the production team. Thus, the writer, director, and actors have all expressed their stance on the controversy through apologies or published apology letters.