MBC’s drama ’21st Century Daegunbuin’ is currently facing a historical distortion controversy, and now even the upcoming script book is undergoing revisions. Opan House Studio Audrey, the publisher of the ’21st Century Daegunbuin’ script book scheduled for release on the 18th, shared their position via SNS on the 16th.
On the 16th, the publisher stated, “We are currently consulting with the production team regarding some ritual expressions that the production team has already announced will be revised.” They added, “We are taking this matter very seriously,” and explained that “pre-order readers of the first edition will be provided with a separate notice, and subsequent prints will reflect the revised expressions.”
However, since the first edition has already been produced and shipped, the publisher added, “We will do our best to minimize reader inconvenience through correction notices and follow-up measures.” Starting from the 18th, the publisher will provide a PDF file reflecting the corrections via their official SNS for first-edition buyers. They also plan to send physical correction stickers to those who apply.
The controversy began with the coronation scene in episode 11, which aired on the 15th. The scene featured the King wearing a ‘Guryu-myeonryugwan’ while officials shouted ‘Cheonse,’ leading to criticisms over historical accuracy. While the drama’s world is set as a sovereign state, the use of Joseon’s etiquette from the era when it was a tributary state to China became the center of the controversy.
As the controversy grew, the production team issued an official apology on the 16th. They stated, “This issue occurred because we failed to carefully examine how Joseon’s etiquette evolved throughout history.” They added, “Since ’21st Century Daegunbuin’ is a romance and an alternate history piece, a more cautious approach was needed regarding the intersection of the fictional world and actual historical context, but our review was insufficient.” They also promised to fix the audio and subtitles in reruns, VOD, and OTT services as quickly as possible.
The publisher reiterated that they take the matter seriously and will provide a separate notice to first-edition pre-order buyers, with subsequent prints reflecting the corrected expressions.
Since the first edition has already been produced and shipped, the publisher is committed to minimizing reader inconvenience through correction notices and follow-up measures.
The follow-up measures are as follows:
For first-edition buyers, a digital correction page (PDF) reflecting the changes agreed upon with the ’21st Century Daegunbuin’ production team will be provided via the publisher’s official Instagram account starting May 18 (Monday). A download link and a Google Form to request physical correction stickers will be provided. The physical stickers will be designed to be pasted directly into the text and sent to readers who apply.
The Google Form will be open for approximately two weeks, after which the stickers will be produced and shipped in bulk.
Additionally, those who wish to request a refund may do so according to the regulations and procedures of the store where the purchase was made.
