The MBC drama controversy Perfect crown continues to escalate as a National Assembly petition calling for the drama to be canceled and removed has quickly gained momentum online.
According to reports, a petition titled “Request to suspend broadcast and remove content involved in historical distortion and controversy over the Northeast project” was uploaded to the Petitions Committee of the National Assembly of South Korea on May 22.
As of May 25, the petition had already surpassed 41,000 signatures, exceeding 80% of the 50,000 signature threshold required for official parliamentary review in just three days.
The petition claims that the drama distorted Korean history and culture despite being set in a fictional version of modern Korea.
Critics took particular aim at episode 11, which aired on May 15.
In the controversial coronation scene, the character Grand Prince Ian, played by Byeon Woo Seok, reportedly wore a ceremonial crown associated with vassal states rather than an emperor-level crown that traditionally symbolized sovereignty.
Furthermore, the drama officials shouted “Cheonse, Cheonse, Cheoncheonse,” a phrase that some viewers interpreted as portraying Korea as subordinate rather than sovereign.
The petition also criticized the production for allegedly mixing real Chinese-style tea ceremonies, vocabulary and costumes into a real-life Korean setting.
Some netizens said these depictions may unintentionally support narratives associated with China’s controversial “Northeast Project,” which has long been a sensitive issue in Korean public discourse regarding cultural and historical identity.
The petition forcefully stated: “Content that harms national identity across public broadcasting and media platforms should not be excused with simple subtitle changes or disciplinary action.”
As the backlash spread, the production team issued an official apology and reportedly muted some audio lines while simultaneously removing controversial subtitles from rebroadcasts and OTT streaming releases.
Director Park Joon Hwa and writer Yoo Ji Won also publicly apologized through interviews and official statements.
Meanwhile, lead stars IU and Byeon Woo Seok also posted apology messages via social media.
However, many viewers argued that the changes came too late, leading frustration to evolve into the current petition movement.
The petition remains open for signatures until June 21st.
If it officially surpasses 50,000 verified participants within 30 days, the matter will be forwarded to a relevant committee of the National Assembly for review and discussion.
The controversy has now become one of the biggest cases of Korean drama backlash of 2026, sparking a broader debate about historical representation, fictional storytelling and cultural sensitivity in modern K-drama productions.
Sources: Nate News
