According to reports on May 22, a public petition demanding the cancellation and removal of Perfect Crown was officially submitted to the National Assembly’s public petition board.
The petition accuses the series of historical distortion and claims the drama improperly incorporated Chinese-style royal clothing, terminology, and ceremonial customs while portraying a fictional modern-day constitutional monarchy version of South Korea.
The petitioner argued that the production “seriously damages Korean cultural identity and spreads distorted historical perceptions globally.” The statement also demanded not only the suspension of the drama’s broadcast, but the complete removal of the series from VOD and OTT streaming platforms.
In addition, the petition called for stronger institutional measures to prevent similar productions accused of cultural distortion from appearing in the future.
Under South Korean petition rules, the proposal will be forwarded to a relevant parliamentary committee if it gathers at least 50,000 signatures within 30 days. As of the morning of May 23, the petition had already surpassed 7,600 supporters.
The controversy exploded following episode 11, which aired on May 15 and featured the coronation scene of Lee An Daegun, played by Byeon Woo Seok.
Viewers strongly criticized the scene after officials shouted “Cheonse” (“Long live for a thousand years”) instead of the more sovereign-associated expression “Manse.” Critics argued that the wording historically reflected tributary-state customs rather than an independent modern Korean monarchy.
Additional backlash emerged over the ceremonial crown worn during the enthronement scene, with some viewers claiming the attire symbolized rulers of historical Chinese vassal states.
The drama stars IU alongside Byeon Woo Seok and had originally been considered one of the most anticipated Korean productions of 2026.
Despite repeated public apologies from the cast, writers, and production team, criticism has continued escalating online.
The controversy has become even more serious because the drama reportedly received government-supported production funding through the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).
The series was selected as one of the agency’s 2025 OTT-specialized content support projects, part of a ₩7.5 billion KRW funding initiative supporting seven productions.
KOCCA has since confirmed it is reviewing whether the drama violated support guidelines and stated that partial or full repayment of government funding could potentially be considered depending on the final evaluation.
Many Korean viewers are now comparing the situation to the infamous 2021 cancellation of SBS drama Joseon Exorcist, which was permanently canceled after only two episodes following massive public backlash over alleged historical and cultural distortions.
As debate continues growing, Perfect Crown has become one of the most controversial Korean dramas in recent years, with discussions now extending far beyond entertainment into politics, cultural identity, and public accountability.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
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