The history distortion controversy’Chosun-gu Massa’ broadcast was first abolished

SBS’Joseongu Masa’. [사진 SBS]

The fusion historical drama’Chosun Gumasa’, which caused controversy over history distortion, was completely abolished after the second airing. This is the first time in the history of domestic broadcasting.

SBS made an official position on the 26th and said, “In recognition of the seriousness of this situation, we decided to cancel the contract to purchase the broadcasting rights for’Chosun-gu Masa’ and cancel the broadcasting.” It is a worrisome situation, but I made this decision, feeling a heavy sense of responsibility as a terrestrial broadcaster.”

Producers YG Studioplex, Craveworks, and Lotte Culture Works also said, “The related overseas copyrights are in the process of canceling the contract, and all overseas streaming that was in service has already been terminated or will be released today.” According to SBS, most of the broadcasting rights for the drama that was originally planned as a 16-part drama have already been paid in advance, and the production company has already completed 80% of the filming. The production cost is known to be 32 billion won.

‘Chosun Gumasa’ is a unique story about fighting evil spirits in the background of the Joseon dynasty. Existing characters such as Taejong, Yangnyeongdaegun, and Chungnyeongdaegun (Sejong) appeared as they were, but from the first airing, controversy engulfed.

First, it is a scene where Chungnyeongdaegun treats mooncakes, Chinese dumplings, and pidan (saked duck eggs) to a Catholic Kuma priest from the Vatican. It was pointed out that not only food, but also buildings and clothing are Chinese style rather than Korean. Still, viewers reacted sensitively in a situation where anger accumulated as a war broke out with Chinese netizens over the appearance of Chinese bibimbap in the recent tvN drama’Vinsenzo’.

There were criticisms that Taejong’s vision of his father, Taejo, slaughtered the people, and Chungnyeongdaegun was overlooked by a priest and an intellect, and so on, no matter how fictional, excessively distorted the real person. Jeonju-i’s Jong-in-hoi also made this a problem and protested to SBS.

In the play, the Chungnyeong Daegun treats the Kuma priest with mooncakes. [사진 SBS]

Writer Park Gye-ok, who was in charge of writing the script, also climbed on the cutting board. In the previous TVN drama’Queen Iron Man’, Queen Iron Man expressed “Annals of the Joseon Dynasty” as “Jirasi”, and Queen Shinjeong appeared as a superstitious character, and suffered from a body ailment called “Historical Distortion”. It was also pointed out that the original work of’Queen Iron Man’ was a work of a Chinese author with a disgusting history. Here, as it became known that Park had signed a writing contract with a Chinese content producer, suspicion was raised that the content twist was intentional.

Most of all, it became impossible to continue production as advertisers and production support companies passed away. Samsung Electronics, Ssangbangul, and Ace Bed announced their position to withdraw from production support from the 25th. Mungyeong City and Naju City, which provided the filming location, also announced that they would cancel it. Lotte Culture Works, which participated in the co-production, also officially announced the withdrawal of investment on the 26th.

Popular culture critic Chung Deok-Hyun said, “It is not uncommon to add fiction to real people overseas,” he said. “However, in Korea, there is a more cautious aspect of attempting such an attempt against historically respected people. Above all, it was easy for the production crew to judge from a sensitive point of view due to China’s Northeast project.”

Reporter Yoo Seong-woon [email protected]