The apology only made viewers even more pissed off.
48 minutes ago
The scriptwriter of Perfect Crown has finally issued an official apology over the K-Drama’s historical accuracy controversy, but the statement has only fueled even fiercer criticism online.
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On May 19, 2026 (KST), writer Yoo Ji Won, who penned Perfect Crown, released a statement through the MBC‘s official website. In the apology, Yoo addressed the controversy surrounding the show’s depiction of Joseon royal customs and its fictional modern constitutional monarchy setting.
The writer explained that she had delayed making a statement because she was worried her words might cause even greater discomfort. However, she acknowledged that the delay itself had caused further frustration.
Hello. This is Yoo Ji Won, the writer of the show, Perfect Crown.
I sincerely apologize for disappointing and worrying viewers because of the controversy surrounding the show’s historical accuracy. I was cautious, worried that speaking out might cause even greater discomfort, and, as a result, it took me time to make this statement. I apologize for causing even more trouble to many people as a result.
— Yoo Ji Won
Yoo described Perfect Crown as a romance fantasy K-Drama set in a fictional constitutional monarchy. She stated that the show was based on the imagined premise that the Joseon royal family had continued into the modern era. However, the writer admitted that the show lacked sufficient research and historical verification.
Perfect Crown is a romance fantasy show set in a fictional constitutional monarchy. Under the imagined premise that the Joseon royal family had firmly continued into the modern day, I wanted to show our traditions and beauty. However, in the process of applying Joseon etiquette to the modern day and portraying a fictional modern royal family, I lacked thorough research and historical verification.
In particular, the nine-beaded crown used during the enthronement ceremony and the scene where people shouted “cheonse” are points that were criticized. It was my mistake for failing to carefully consider the historical context that should have been examined while applying Joseon rituals to a modern setting. Aside from that, I am also taking seriously all the opinions sent in by viewers.
— Yoo Ji Won
The writer added that she was taking all viewer criticism seriously and apologized again to those who were hurt.
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Once again, I deeply apologize to everyone who was hurt because the depth of my consideration was lacking. I will take to heart the criticism and points raised by viewers, reflect on myself as a writer, and repent for my shortcomings. I am sorry.
— Yoo Ji Won
Despite the apology, many Korean netizens remained unconvinced. Rather than accepting the statement, many argued that the writer had reduced the controversy to a matter of “historical accuracy” when they believed the issue was much larger.
- Take it down.
- Take it down and stop writing.
- Apologize for the historical distortion, take it down, and stop writing.
- This isn’t a historical accuracy error, it’s historical distortion. Why are you trying to quietly back away from it?? Taking it down is a given, and the writer should stop writing.
- Why did the queen kneel?
- Whatever. Take it down.
- I want to see what kind of person this writer is.
- Take it down.
- Don’t reduce this to something like there was only an error in the final episode…
- Stop writing.
- Take down the drama, and the writer should stop writing.
Some felt the apology failed to identify the core problem, while others accused the writer of downplaying the backlash by only mentioning a few controversial scenes.
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A repeated demand among viewers was for the K-Drama to be taken down completely. Many commenters used the Korean word for “discard,” which, in this context, carries the force of demanding that the show be taken down and removed from circulation entirely.
Some netizens also pointed to the show’s related commercial products, including its script book and novelization, questioning whether an apology alone was enough.
- But this apology makes it seem like they don’t know what the actual problem is.
- It’s historical distortion, what do you mean? How did a drama like this even get made?
- This drama needs to be taken down.
- So you can sell the script book, launch the novel, and then just apologize? Take it down.
- So they think the only historical accuracy issues are the nine-beaded crown and shouting “cheonse”…
- Seriously, take it down.
- Let’s take it down.
- Compared to how long they hid, this has no substance at all. Whatever, take it down.
- Are they even Korean?
- It wasn’t just one scene that was the problem, was it??? From episode 1 to the finale, nothing would seem wrong from a New Right, traitorous historical perspective??? LOL.
Read more about the cast of Perfect Crown responding to the ongoing scandal:
Actor Byeon Woo Seok Issues Handwritten Apology Over “Perfect Crown” Controversy