Why 'Joseon Exorcist' Ultimately Got Canceled and Sparked Public Outrage

"Stop airing 'Joseon Exorcist' for historical distortion" Blue House petition nears 200,000
SBS: "'Joseon Exorcist' broadcast canceled, recognizing seriousness"
Experts: "Chinese netizens defend distorted scenes... should have been more careful"

Poster of SBS drama 'Joseon Exorcist,' which sparked controversy over historical distortion. Ultimately, the broadcaster decided to cancel the drama. Photo by SBS website capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "I hope such historical distortion dramas never appear again."

The SBS drama 'Joseon Exorcist' (written by Park Gye-ok, directed by Shin Kyung-soo) has come under heavy criticism for historical distortion and excessive use of Chinese-style props. Although the production team issued an apology statement, the backlash intensified as numerous companies withdrew their advertisements from the drama. As the controversy did not subside, SBS ultimately decided to cancel 'Joseon Exorcist.' Experts warned that the distorted historical scenes in the drama could provide a pretext for China's 'Northeast Project.'

On the 26th, SBS stated, "Recognizing the seriousness of this situation, we have decided to terminate the broadcasting rights contract for 'Joseon Exorcist' and cancel its airing." They added, "SBS has already prepaid most of the broadcasting rights fees for this drama, and the production company has completed 80% of filming."

They continued, "Although there are concerns about economic losses for the broadcaster and production company, as well as programming gaps, SBS feels a heavy responsibility as a terrestrial broadcaster and has decided to cancel the broadcast."

A scene featuring Chinese foods such as pidan and mooncakes. Photo by SBS drama 'Joseon Exorcist' video capture.

Earlier, 'Joseon Exorcist,' which premiered on the 22nd, was immediately embroiled in controversy over historical distortion due to its depiction of real historical figures such as King Taejong and various Chinese-style settings.

In particular, the drama set in the Joseon Dynasty portrayed King Taejong Lee Bang-won (played by Kam Woo-sung) as a murderer who kills innocent people, and Prince Chungnyeong (played by Jang Dong-yoon), who later becomes King Sejong, was shown personally serving Chinese-style dumplings, mooncakes, and century eggs (preserved duck eggs) to a foreign bride at a gisaeng house. The interior and exterior of the gisaeng house were also decorated in a style reminiscent of Chinese dramas, sparking controversy.

Additionally, there were criticisms that the costumes and weapons worn by the characters were Chinese in style. In episode 1, a Chinese sword was seen in the hand of Prince Yangnyeong. Moreover, the shaman character Muhwa (played by Jung Hye-sung) appeared with her hair down in a Chinese-style fashion rather than wearing a traditional Korean gache (wig), which drew criticism.

There were criticisms that the costume and hairstyle of Muhwa (played by Jung Hye-sung), the shaman of the State Affairs Department in the drama, closely resemble those from the Qing Dynasty era of China. Photo by SBS 'Joseon Exorcist'

As the controversy intensified, the production team of 'Joseon Exorcist' issued an official statement on the 24th, saying, "We apologize once again for causing misunderstandings and discomfort to viewers during this sensitive period due to Chinese-style art and props (such as mooncakes)." They added, "All problematic scenes will be deleted and reflected in VOD and reruns."

The broadcaster SBS also apologized, stating, "Since the drama deals with real historical figures and events, we should have been more meticulous and thorough in our review, and we take responsibility for failing to do so."

Despite two apologies, public criticism did not easily subside. The issue gained even greater outrage as it coincided with China's Northeast Project. Since the early 2000s, China has been running the Northeast Project, which aims to incorporate ancient Korean history into Chinese history. As a result, China has made various claims to change the history of the Korean Peninsula, including Goguryeo and Balhae, into its own history. This is also related to recent unfounded claims that Korean traditional culture such as hanbok, kimchi, and pansori are Chinese culture.

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture.

Consequently, petitions pointing out the historical distortion scenes in the drama were continuously posted on the Blue House's national petition board. A petition titled "Request for Immediate Suspension of the Historically Distorted Northeast Project Drama 'Joseon Exorcist,'" posted on the 23rd, had received over 195,800 signatures as of 10 a.m. on the 26th.

The petitioner stated, "'Joseon Exorcist' is filled with content and scenes that distort history and seem to accept China's Northeast Project," adding, "Although a disclaimer was shown at the beginning of the broadcast stating that the characters, events, and specific periods in this drama are fictional and unrelated to historical facts, actual historical figures and events were used as they are, so how can it be unrelated to historical facts?"

They continued, "It is incomprehensible that such content is broadcast without issue on a public network. We urge the immediate cancellation and termination of this trash-like drama."

In the tvN fusion historical drama "Mr. Queen," the "Annals of the Joseon Dynasty" were referred to as "jirashi," sparking controversy over historical distortion. Photo by tvN, screenshot from "Mr. Queen."

Park Gye-ok, the writer of the drama script, could not escape criticism either. Park was previously involved in a historical distortion controversy with the tvN fusion historical drama 'Mr. Queen.'

As the historical distortion controversy continued, voices of criticism grew louder. The Jeonju Lee clan association, descendants of the Joseon royal family (Jeonju Lee Clan Daedong Jongyakwon), emphasized, "We intend to present strong countermeasures to the broadcaster and production team due to concerns that the majority of the public and people worldwide may develop negative perceptions and incorrect historical awareness about the Joseon Dynasty."

However, some argued that the reaction was an overreaction to a fictional drama. On the 25th, KAIST Business School Professor Lee Byung-tae wrote on his Facebook, "What kind of complex is this? Fictional dramas are not documentaries," adding, "This overreaction might be proof that the Northeast Project is already succeeding. There is an overflow of ethnonationalistic foolish patriotism."

Experts warned that 'Joseon Exorcist' could provide a new pretext for the Northeast Project. Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University stated on Facebook, "Chinese netizens have already begun defending the drama scenes on Weibo, claiming they depict 'typical Korean appearances of the time,'" and added, "As the production team mentioned in their statement that this is a 'sensitive period,' they should have been more cautious during such times." He emphasized, "We must protect our culture and history ourselves."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.