MBC K-Drama Perfect Crown has sparked a firestorm over alleged historical distortion, with a public petition demanding a broadcast halt and platform-wide content removal surpassing 50,000 signatures.
As of the 26th, the National Assembly’s Public Consent Petition board shows that the petition titled "Request to suspend airing of the drama amid historical distortion and Northeast Project controversy and to remove related content from media platforms" has secured over 50,000 consents.
Notably, the petition reached 100% of its target in just four days after it was posted on the 22nd.
The petitioner argued that although the series is set in a fictional Korea, it employs Chinese-style clothing, rituals, and terminology, fueling charges of historical distortion and ties to the Northeast Project. The controversy peaked with the enthronement scene in episode 11, aired on the 15th, where Grand Prince Ian appears wearing a guryu myeonryugwan (a ceremonial crown) as officials chant "천세 천세 천천세," drawing fierce backlash.
In response, the production team and cast issued formal apologies and pledged to edit the problematic scene.
The petition will accept public consents until June 21. If it gathers over 50,000 consents within 30 days, it is expected to be referred to the relevant standing committee of the National Assembly.