3 shocking K-drama controversies that almost got the shows banned

Even though K-dramas are renowned for their captivating plots, engrossing romances, and captivating narratives, not all of them achieve success immediately. Some dramas have provoked significant controversies, sparked debates, and even come perilously close to cancellation despite their glitzy production and A-list cast.

All it takes for a show to become the focus of national indignation is one poor decision, a historically incorrect plotline, a dubious scene, or an association that the public finds offensive. Even if one of these is found, it becomes a huge topic to discuss, and doubts about whether the TV series should come out..

Keep reading to find out the three shocking K-drama controversies.

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3 K-drama controversies that fans didn't expect

In South Korea, K-dramas aren't just limited to entertaining fans, as they also care about what's being shown. There are a lot of dramas that talk about real things like history, politics, or social issues, which the audience watches with a sharp eye.

If something feels wrong or disrespectful, or offensive, viewers react strongly. And sometimes, the reaction is so intense that people ask for the entire show to be cancelled.

This article is all about three big moments where things went way out of control. These weren’t small slip-ups; each of these shows caused a stir. And the reasons behind it? Let’s just say they’re full of intense drama, backlash, and public outrage.

Here are three shocking K-dramas featuring A-list casts that still underwent controversy:

1) The King: Eternal Monarch

Among the must-watch fantasy-romance K-dramas is The King: The Eternal Monarch, featuring the Hallyu star Lee Min Ho and Goblin's Kim Go-eun as the leading couple. The story revolves around a modern-day Korean emperor who discovers a portal to a parallel world and teams up with a detective he loves on a mission to save both worlds from his sinister uncle.

Fans were excited to watch the acclaimed star back on screen, but before that, The King: Eternal Monarch fell into controversy. Not for just one reason, but a few. Right after the premiere, viewers noticed that the fictional empire's palace designs resembled Japanese temple architecture

Not only this, there was a misleading warship depiction in Episode 6, in which a naval battle scene featured Japanese ships that viewers said looked suspiciously like modern Korean naval vessels. However, the director came forward with an apology and explained the use of open-source CGI references due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Also Read: 5 K-drama characters who’ll give you major second lead syndrome

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2) Snowdrop

Another shocking K-drama controversy that many didn't expect was BLACKPINK's Jisoo and Love Next Door star, Jung Hae-in's Snowdrop. Both actors have a strong fan base, and fans were curious about their dynamic in the drama.

However, even before Snowdrop came out, it faced huge criticism from the public. The drama is set in 1987, a very sensitive time in South Korea’s history. That year was all about the fight for democracy; many brave students protested against a strict and unfair government. Some people even died during those protests.

In Snowdrop, the main male character is a North Korean spy who hides in a girls’ dorm and is taken care of by a student. When details about the plot leaked online, many viewers were shocked and angry.

People felt the show was telling the wrong story, one that could make it look like the real student protesters were actually spies, which is something the old government used to lie about to cover up its violence.

The creators of Snowdrop responded by saying that they were not trying to change history or insult the democracy movement. They said the show was a mix of fiction and dark comedy, not a history lesson.

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3) Joseon Exorcist

One of the most popular genres among K-dramas is fantasy, showcasing supernatural elements in the story. And this is what the 2021 drama, Joseon Exorcist, was all about.

At the heart of the drama is a family in the Joseon era battling evil spirits. The story dives into exorcism and even demonic possession at that time. However, early episodes featured distinctly Chinese-style props and costumes, due to which fans and historians felt it misrepresented Korean heritage.

Unlike the above-mentioned dramas, Joseon Exorcist was permanently cancelled after two episodes. Since there was barely any support for the story, SBS had to finally scrap it.

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Also Read: 5 must-watch K-drama rom-coms that will cheer you up

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