MBC drama Perfect Crown wrapped amid a raging historical distortion controversy, and lead star IU bowed her head in apology.
At a group screening event for Perfect Crown held in Seoul on the 16th, the day the series ended, IU took the stage after watching the finale with fans and said, "I've had a lot on my mind lately. If I had done better, this wouldn't have happened."
She continued, "Because I am someone who receives your love, I will do better. I will live without wasting a single moment so I can take more responsibility and show you a better side of myself. If I ever disappoint you or fall short, that is truly my fault."
She added, "I believe everything you say has a reason, and they are things I should accept. If there are shortcomings, please tell me, scold me, and push me, and I will work to become a better person."
Perfect Crown faced backlash from its earliest episodes over the leads' acting, its worldbuilding, and issues with historical accuracy. The uproar intensified ahead of the finale when an enthronement scene sparked fresh accusations of distorting history.
As the criticism mounted, the production team also posted an apology on the official website. "We sincerely apologize for causing concern due to the series' worldbuilding and historical verification issues," they wrote, acknowledging, "We take seriously viewers' concerns that the scene of the king (Byun Woo Seok) wearing a 'Guryu Myeonnyu-gwan' and the courtiers shouting 'Cheonsae' during the enthronement undermined Korea's sovereignty."