Actor Byeon Woo-seok has issued another apology over the growing history distortion controversy surrounding the MBC drama Perfect Crown. Less than a day after posting a written apology, Byeon bowed on stage and offered a brief but unequivocal statement.
On the 19th, Byeon attended the Netflix variety show Yoo Jae-suk Camp press conference held at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul. While sharing his thoughts on appearing alongside Yoo Jae-suk, Lee Kwang-soo, and Ji Ye-eun, he was asked about the recent controversy.
Byeon said, "In life, I always try to do my best at every moment," adding, "I did my very best while filming Yoo Jae-suk Camp." He continued, "Regarding the recent issue, I feel truly sorry," reiterating his apology.
Previously, on the 18th, Byeon posted a lengthy apology on Instagram. He wrote, "While filming and acting in the project, I did not think deeply enough about the historical context and meaning contained in the work, and how it might be received by viewers." He added, "The viewers' feedback made me reflect. Going forward, I will take greater responsibility not only for my acting but also for the message and context a project carries."
Perfect Crown had faced accusations of historical distortion from the start, and the controversy intensified with a coronation scene aired just before the finale. In the drama, as Grand Prince Ian (played by Byeon Woo-seok) ascends the throne, officials shout "cheonse" ("a thousand years") instead of the customary "manse" ("ten thousand years"), and a gu-ryu myeonryu-gwan—a Joseon-era ceremonial headpiece—appears instead of an emperor's crown appropriate for a fully sovereign empire. The production team subsequently issued an official apology as well, bowing their heads over the worldbuilding choices and historical inaccuracies and promising to correct the related audio and subtitles in reruns and on VOD and OTT platforms. IU, who also stars in the series, has apologized as well. Against this backdrop, Byeon took a cautious stance as he addressed the issue again at his first official schedule since the controversy.
Meanwhile, Yoo Jae-suk Camp follows rookie camp manager Yoo Jae-suk and staffers Lee Kwang-soo, Byeon Woo-seok, and Ji Ye-eun as they break free from the daily grind and mingle with guests. Byeon said, "I was excited to film because I felt I could show a new side of myself for the first time," expressing his affection for variety shows.