South Korean broadcaster MBC has confirmed it will remove a controversial enthronement scene involving actor Byeon Woo Seok from the drama Perfect Crown following intense public criticism.
On May 22, an MBC representative reportedly stated that the scene would be deleted from all distribution platforms, although the process may take time due to the drama being streamed across multiple services.
The controversy erupted after the ending of Episode 11 sparked heated debate among Korean viewers, with many accusing the series of distorting Korean history and portraying Korea as a tributary state of China.
The disputed scene featured Prince Yi Ahn’s coronation and included ceremonial elements resembling practices from Korea’s Joseon Dynasty period, when the kingdom historically operated under certain rules imposed by the Chinese Empire.
Viewers criticised the production for selectively keeping some historical elements while altering or fictionalising others, leading to accusations of historical distortion.
The backlash quickly spread online, turning the drama into a major talking point among Korean netizens and fans.
Following the controversy, several key figures involved in the production, including lead stars IU and Byeon Woo Seok, as well as director Park Joon Hwa, publicly apologised over the issue.
The production team has yet to reveal whether additional edits or changes will be made to future episodes following the criticism.
