The controversy surrounding Byeon Woo Seok's drama "Perfect Crown" continues to escalate, forcing the postponement of a planned fan Q&A event involving the lead actor. Byeon Woo Seok's agency, Varo Entertainment, stated that the event is still under discussion and has not yet been confirmed.
After the drama concluded, Byeon Woo Seok chose to issue a written apology instead of the usual post-finale interview. "Perfect Crown" initially became one of the year's biggest Korean dramas thanks to its stellar cast and strong global performance on Disney Plus.
However, criticism began to mount in the second half of the drama, as viewers accused the show of distorting Korean history through its depiction of royal customs and terminology. Some critics argued that certain scenes could mislead foreign audiences about Korean history.
Korean history lecturer Choi Tae Sung also weighed in, criticizing the production for "prioritizing the actors' large salaries while neglecting proper historical research." The controversy continues to escalate as writer Yoo Ji Won has yet to publicly respond to the criticism, with some internet users calling for the drama's cancellation.
Viewers have reportedly begun sending group emails of complaints to members of the Korean National Assembly's Cultural Committee, while the cyber diplomacy organization VANK has also requested clarification from Disney Plus.
The situation is now being compared to the infamous controversy surrounding the 2021 SBS drama "Joseon Exorcist," which was canceled after just two episodes due to backlash over alleged historical distortion and the use of Chinese-style props.
Industry observers predict that the current situation could have a wider impact because "Perfect Crown" was released globally on Disney Plus, allowing the controversy to spread internationally in real time.
While some controversial scenes have reportedly been edited or removed from domestic streaming and VOD platforms, the global version on Disney+ has reportedly not been updated to date. Amid the growing backlash, director Park Joon Hwa issued a public statement on May 19, 2026.
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