This K-drama, which aired its finale nearly a year ago, ended up like this after a lot of controversy over animal abuse 

The controversy over horse abuse in KBS’s drama “The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won” has been handed over to the prosecution.

According to the animal protection group Kara on February 2nd, “The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won” director, martial arts director, horseback riding team manager, and broadcaster KBS were all sent to the prosecution after they were all found guilty of violating the Animal Protection Act.

The director, martial arts director, horseback riding team were charged with animal abuse (Article 8 (2) 4 of the Animal Protection Act), and KBS was charged with violating the Animal Protection Act. In addition, the charge of imposing a fine under the corresponding article (Article 46-2 of the Animal Protection Act) was applied.

Earlier in January last year, the production team of “The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won” tied a wire to the horse’s leg and let it run while filming a fall off the horse scene. Unable to know this, the horse carried an adult man and ran at full speed.

Several staff members were pulling the wire at the same time, causing the horse to fall down from the head and seriously injured its neck. Eventually, the horse died a week after filming.

Kara criticized the incident as apparent animal cruelty and filed a complaint against those involved.

Afterwards, when a fierce controversy arose, KBS said through a statement, “We will improve awareness of bioethics and animal welfare to prevent such accidents from happening again, and come up with new production guidelines to ensure the safety of the animals.”

KBS1’s “The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won” was led by actor Joo Sang Wook. It ended in May last year.

Source: Wikitree.