A rapidly growing online petition calling for the complete cancellation and removal of the MBC drama Perfect Crown (21세기 대군부인) starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok has officially been forwarded to the South Korean National Assembly for review after surpassing 50,000 signatures in just four days.

As of May 26, the petition titled “Request to Halt Broadcasting of the Controversial Drama That Distorts History and Northeast Asia, and Remove All Content from Streaming Platforms” has triggered formal scrutiny under National Assembly procedures. According to Korean law, once a petition gathers at least 50,000 signatures within 30 days, it must be referred to the relevant standing committee for official examination. This development places the popular drama at risk of being pulled from air and all VOD/OTT platforms if the petition gains sufficient traction.

The petitioner accuses the series of serious cultural appropriation and historical distortion, despite its fictional setting in a modern constitutional monarchy version of South Korea. Specific complaints include the use of Chinese-style costumes, rituals, and terminology that allegedly undermine Korean royal traditions. The petition highlights the frequent use of the term “천세” (Cheon-se / Thousand Years), a phrase associated with Chinese imperial address, claiming it diminishes Korea’s status. Additionally, the drama is criticized for depicting Chinese-style tea ceremonies instead of traditional Korean ones, and for mixing Joseon-era royal attire with imperial symbols without proper context or explanation.

The petitioner argues: “Even though it is set in a fictional Republic of Korea, the drama arbitrarily borrows Chinese costumes, rituals, and language, constituting clear cultural appropriation and historical distortion.” They further claim the production has “mixed and misused” symbols, planting misleading perceptions of Korean culture and history among global viewers.

After facing initial backlash, the production team stated they would only fix audio and subtitles post-broadcast. The petitioner rejects this as insufficient, demanding an immediate halt to airing, full removal from all platforms, and stronger legal mechanisms to prevent similar future content. They emphasize: “This is a serious infringement on national sentiment and cultural identity presented to the world.”

Government Investigation Also Underway

In parallel, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has begun an investigation after receiving complaints regarding whether the drama received production funding from the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA). This adds another layer of official scrutiny to the project.

Background of the Drama and Cast

Perfect Crown is a fantasy romance drama set in a modern South Korea with a constitutional monarchy. IU plays Seong Hee-ju, a bold chaebol heiress who enters a contractual marriage with the royal Grand Prince Yi-an (Byeon Woo-seok). The story explores power struggles, romance, and personal growth within a fictional royal system. The series has achieved respectable ratings but has faced consistent criticism for its historical inaccuracies and perceived Sinocentric elements.

Both IU and Byeon Woo-seok are major stars. IU is one of Korea’s most beloved multi-hyphenates (singer, actress, songwriter), while Byeon Woo-seok rose to international fame with Lovely Runner. Their on-screen chemistry has been widely praised, but off-screen, the production’s creative choices have drawn significant ire from history-conscious viewers.

Public Reactions and Divided Opinions

The petition has ignited heated debate across Korean online communities. Supporters argue that accurate cultural representation matters, especially in content that reaches global audiences and receives state support. Critics of the petition, however, call it an overreaction, viewing the drama as pure fiction and warning that excessive political correctness could stifle creativity in the entertainment industry.

Some netizens have defended the production, noting that many historical dramas take artistic liberties. Others worry that forcing changes or cancellations sets a dangerous precedent for government interference in creative works.

Broader Implications for the Korean Drama Industry

This case highlights ongoing tensions in South Korea between creative freedom and cultural preservation. In recent years, several dramas and films have faced similar accusations of historical distortion or cultural borrowing, particularly regarding China-related elements. The rapid signature collection on this petition shows how quickly public sentiment can mobilize around issues of national identity.

For IU, who has built a reputation for thoughtful projects and strong fan loyalty, the controversy is particularly sensitive. Her involvement in Perfect Crown was highly anticipated, and while many fans continue to support her, the backlash has created a challenging environment for the drama’s promotion.

The National Assembly’s review process could take time, but the mere fact that the petition has reached this stage puts pressure on both the production company and broadcasters. If the committee recommends action, it could lead to calls for revised guidelines on historical/fictional content receiving public funding.

As of now, Perfect Crown continues airing, with the production promising post-broadcast fixes. However, with the petition now in official channels and a parallel government investigation underway, the drama faces an uncertain future.

The situation serves as a reminder of how closely Korean audiences scrutinize content involving national history and culture, even in fictional settings. For the cast and crew, the coming weeks will be critical as they navigate both artistic defense and public relations challenges.

Whether the petition ultimately succeeds in removing the drama or leads to meaningful policy changes remains to be seen, but it has already succeeded in placing cultural representation at the center of national conversation.