Actors Byeon Woo Seok and IU are once again at the center of heated online discussions as criticism surrounding the drama “Perfect Crown” continues to grow.
A recent post on the Korean online forum theqoo drew attention by criticizing Byeon Woo Seok’s physical acting abilities, claiming that his facial expressions receive more attention than his actual body movement and action performance. The post included clips from the actor’s scenes and quickly spread across social media platforms and online communities.
Many commenters reacted negatively, especially after reports that Byeon Woo Seok’s next project may involve action-heavy scenes. Some netizens expressed concern about his involvement in “Solo Leveling,” with comments such as, “I’m worried for Solo Leveling,” and “He looks too stiff.” Others mocked specific scenes from the drama, saying the acting looked awkward or unnatural.
The discussion soon expanded beyond Byeon Woo Seok’s acting and shifted toward reports regarding IU’s alleged appearance fee for “Perfect Crown.” According to online speculation, IU may have received approximately 500 million KRW per episode for the 12-episode drama, potentially totaling around 6 billion KRW. However, the exact amount has not been officially confirmed.
The rumored figure sparked fierce reactions online, especially among viewers already frustrated by the drama’s historical controversy and mixed reception. Some netizens questioned whether such a high production budget should have been spent on actor salaries instead of historical research and accuracy.
Adding fuel to the backlash, Korean history lecturer and author Choi Tae Sung publicly criticized the series after it became embroiled in accusations of historical distortion. On social media, he reportedly expressed frustration over repeated controversies involving inaccurate portrayals of Korean history in entertainment productions.
Online users also compiled a long list of complaints regarding the drama’s depiction of Korea’s royal culture and traditions. Critics pointed to scenes involving the use of the nine-symbol crown associated with vassal states, the repeated use of phrases linked to tributary nations, Chinese-style tea ceremony elements inside the royal court, and costume choices they claimed diminished traditional Korean identity.
Some comments became highly critical toward both the production and cast members. One netizen sarcastically wrote, “They got paid, apologized because the reaction turned bad, and that’s it.” Another questioned whether the production had prioritized spectacle over cultural sensitivity.
At the same time, other internet users argued that the backlash has become excessive and warned against turning unverified rumors or political assumptions into attacks against individual actors. The online debate remains deeply divided as discussions continue across Korean forums and social media platforms.
Despite the growing criticism, “Perfect Crown” has continued to attract significant public attention and strong ratings throughout its broadcast run, highlighting the stark contrast between the drama’s popularity and the controversies surrounding it.
Sources: Pann
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