Despite shattering global viewership records on Disney+, the creators of the hit period drama Perfect Crown have been forced to issue a highly public apology, The Korea Herald reports. The controversy centres on a severe historical oversight that fans argue effectively downgraded the sovereign status of the Joseon dynasty.
The coronation blunders
The fierce domestic backlash reached a boiling point after Friday’s broadcast, which featured a highly anticipated coronation sequence starring Byeon Woo-seok as Grand Prince I-an. Keen-eyed viewers immediately highlighted two glaring inaccuracies that inadvertently depicted Joseon as a territory entirely subordinate to imperial China.
Firstly, court officials were shown chanting “Cheonse”, a phrase wishing a ruler a thousand years of life. This specific terminology was historically dictated for vassal states pledging loyalty to an empire. An independent nation would have proudly used the ten-thousand-year blessing of “Manse”.
Secondly, the wardrobe department equipped the newly crowned king with a Guryu Myeonryugwan. This particular style of headwear was distinctly reserved for feudal lords under an emperor’s thumb. A truly independent sovereign would have worn the Sibi Myeonryugwan, a crown distinguished by its 12 strands of jade beads.
A promise to rectify the errors
In a weekend statement published on their official website, the production team bowed their heads to their loyal audience. They openly admitted they had failed to properly research the intricate evolution of Korean court etiquette and promised swift corrective action.
The studio confirmed that all problematic audio clips and subtitles will be heavily edited for future streaming availability, video-on-demand purchases and television repeats.
The ripple effects of the scandal have even disrupted the show’s merchandise rollout.
O’Fanhouse Studio, the publisher handling the official script book, scrambled to address the backlash ahead of a planned Monday launch. Fans who secured first-edition pre-orders will be sent a downloadable PDF with corrected historical terminology alongside an offer to request physical correction stickers. The publisher guaranteed that all subsequent print runs will be completely amended.
Unstoppable commercial success
Remarkably, the historical furore has done absolutely nothing to dent the programme’s soaring popularity.
Nielsen Korea reported that Saturday’s broadcast pulled in a massive 13.8% share of the national audience to set a brand new ratings record for the series. This domestic triumph closely mirrors its international dominance.
Since debuting on April 10, Perfect Crown has officially cemented its position as the most successful Korean launch on Disney+ worldwide across its first four weeks of availability.
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