'Snowdrop' Brazen My Way Outrage, Injunction Request to Ban Screening Heads to Court

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] A provisional injunction request has been filed to ban the broadcast of the comprehensive programming channel JTBC drama 'Seolgwanghwa,' which has been embroiled in controversy over historical distortion.

On the 22nd, the World Citizens Declaration held a press conference at the Seoul Western District Court and condemned, "It is shocking beyond words that a drama seemingly glorifying state violence is being aired and even exported through online video services (OTT) in our country, which is recognized as a nation that overthrew military dictatorship through the power of its citizens."

Co-representative Lee Seola stated, "'Seolgwanghwa' actively glorifies the Agency for National Security Planning (ANSP) by depicting its employees, who tortured and killed numerous democratization activists, as earnest and passionate public officials," and added, "It includes scenes where a spy is mistaken for a democratization activist, showing an attitude that seems to justify the ANSP's past actions of 'spy eradication' during the suppression of democratic uprisings."

She continued, "It insults those who stood against military dictatorship with their whole bodies," and criticized, "This is a very dangerous act that could send a wrong signal to the remaining dictatorial countries worldwide that state violence they experience over time can also be glorified."

She also expressed concern that "it could instill distorted historical views and unjustifiably justify the glorification of state violence in generations that have not experienced historical events."

JTBC, which expressed respect for 'creative freedom' amid controversies over 'Seolgwanghwa' belittling the democratization movement and glorifying the ANSP, was also criticized.

The organization rebutted, "We cannot recognize insults toward someone as free expression," and added, "Other countries also punish denial of the Jewish Holocaust."

'Seolgwanghwa' is a drama depicting the love story between North Korean spy Im Suho (played by Jung Haein), who was shot and ran into a women's university dormitory in Seoul in 1987, and university student Eun Youngro (played by Jisoo). There were criticisms that Youngro hiding Suho, mistaking him for an activist student, and the insertion of Ahn Chi-hwan's 'Sola Pureureun Sola'?a song used during the democratization struggle?into scenes of the spy and ANSP chase were inappropriate.

It is a fact that the ANSP tortured democratization activists in the past and falsely accused them of being spies. There were activists who suffered unjustly and even lost their lives, leading to controversy over historical distortion.

Furthermore, the synopsis of 'Seolgwanghwa' introduced the ANSP team leader as a "righteous and upright figure," which drew criticism for glorifying the ANSP, known for its past atrocities.

In response, JTBC stated, "Concerns about 'historical distortion' and 'belittling the democratization movement' pointed out by many will mostly be resolved as the drama progresses," and added, "The core value we pursue is content creation freedom and production independence."

The families of martyrs Lee Han-yeol and Park Jong-cheol expressed regret over 'Seolgwanghwa,' stating, "During the military dictatorship, many victims suffered violence and torture due to fabricated spy cases, ruining their lives, leading to extreme choices, and even executions," and criticized, "The ANSP chasing real spies and female university students hiding spies, mistaking them for activists, itself gives rationality and justification to their claims."

On the same day, Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, said, "If one does not feel a sense of problem with a drama featuring spies infiltrating activist groups, righteous ANSP, university students without historical awareness, and a character resembling mafia boss-like Chun Doo-hwan, then that is the real problem," and criticized 'Seolgwanghwa,' saying, "We must remember that the wounds of spy fabrication and torture during Chun Doo-hwan's regime continue beyond a century. The victims are still alive."

More than 330,000 people signed a Blue House petition demanding the suspension of 'Seolgwanghwa,' and sponsorships for the drama have been consecutively withdrawn.

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