On January 2, a netizen reported that he witnessed the alleged damage on December 30, 2024, sharing several photos as proof. Images show staff members hammering nails and setting up props, such as lanterns, within the site.
The netizen said: “I visited Byeongsan Seowon around 3pm on December 30 and noticed about seven KBS drama production vehicles parked nearby. As I approached the site, I saw a large number of busy employees. It was only when I reached the entrance that I realized that Byeongsan Seowon was being used as a filming location. Since it is a valuable cultural heritage site listed as historic site no. 260 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, I felt uncomfortable entering.“
The netizen further stated, “Inside I witnessed a shocking scene. Props for the show were placed throughout the interior, and some staff hammered nails into the wooden pillars to hang the lanterns. Many lanterns were already hanging from the columns of the Mandaeru Pavilion.”
When the netizen confronted the staff, asking whether such actions were permissible, the staff reportedly responded angrily, stating that they had received approval from Andong-si and suggesting that the netizen contact the local government for verification.
The netizen contacted the Andong-si Cultural Heritage Department, where an official confirmed that permission had been granted for the filming. However, when asked about the nails and potential damage to the historic site, the official expressed surprise and promised the immediate removal of the installations.
On December 31, netizens contacted the Andong-si Cultural Heritage Department, only to learn that filming had continued as planned. Disappointed by the lack of thorough action, the netizen reported the problem to the broadcaster and the Cultural Heritage Administration.
The incident highlights wider concerns about filming practices at cultural heritage sites. The netizen noted: “Even in modern historic sites, it is shocking to hear that walls or columns are sometimes dismantled for film purposes. While hammering a few nails may seem trivial, it requires a lot of caution even in ordinary hanok houses, let alone historic sites..”
The netizen questioned whether it is appropriate to allow filming at cultural heritage sites, criticizing public broadcaster KBS for its oversight. They underlined: “It is appalling that such an incident occurred during the production of a public broadcaster’s drama. This is not something to be dismissed lightly.”
In this regard, KBS stated that it is “is currently investigating the matter” but they did not provide a clear position. Meanwhile, lead actress Seohyun’s recent injury has increased concerns. Photos of Seohyun using a cane at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards, which were held on December 31, 2024, have been circulating online, sparking concern among fans. Seohyun’s agency assured fans that she is recovering quickly.
KBS2’s new drama “The First Night With the Duke” (written by Jeon Seon-young and directed by Lee Woong-hee) follows Cha Seon-chaek (played by Seohyun), a minor background character in a novel, whose life takes a dramatic turn. changes when her body becomes possessed by the spirit of a modern college student. She inadvertently spends a night with the obsessive male protagonist Gyeongseong-gun (played by Ok Taecyeon).
