[Zoom In] 'Seolgwanghwa' Youth Partying and Dancing in 1987? Over-the-Top Love Story

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Neither stalling tactics nor diverting attention with romance works for 'Snowdrop.'

Comprehensive programming channel JTBC added an extra episode to the drama 'Snowdrop,' claiming that misunderstandings surrounding the controversy over the distortion of democratization history would be resolved, but concerns and criticism continue due to the storyline being no different from before.

‘Snowdrop,’ which first aired on the 18th (written by Yoo Hyun-mi, directed by Jo Hyun-tak), was pointed out as a serious problem for distorting history by belittling democratization and glorifying the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA). Some criticized it as 'secondary harm' to victims who were innocently sacrificed resisting the military dictatorship in the 1980s, and several prominent figures from that era raised their voices.

However, JTBC maintained its stance, saying, "Concerns about historical distortion and belittling the democratization movement will mostly be resolved as the story of 'Snowdrop' unfolds," and requested viewers to watch the future developments. They decided to air episodes 3 to 5 consecutively from the 24th to the 26th.

Although they confidently claimed that misunderstandings would be cleared up through the story development, criticism continues as the plot remains no different from episodes 1 and 2 that aired earlier.

This has led to discussions about the continuation of 'Snowdrop.' Over 350,000 people signed a petition on the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) website demanding the broadcast be stopped, with some even calling for JTBC to be shut down.

The biggest issue is that 'Snowdrop' is set in 1987. JTBC insists it should be viewed as a 'fictional creation' set in that era, but for those who remember that time, and for those who must remember, can we really separate the two?

It is truly novel. 'Snowdrop' not only specifically depicts the presidential election situation under the military dictatorship as a dramatic device but also includes scenes explicitly stating it is 1987. The drama overlaps with several real-life figures. The request to view it separately from the actual events raises questions about its sincerity.

The 1980s was an era achieved through the blood and sacrifice of countless youths yearning for democratization. The democratization movement spread mainly among university students, and 1987 was a year filled with aspirations and cries to overthrow the military dictatorship. In June of that year, the democratic uprising and declaration of democratization followed, and after many sacrifices, the direct presidential election system was achieved. It was a meaningful era that shaped the current society and is deeply rooted in our history.

We must remember how many innocent youths were sacrificed under the pretext that North Korean troops intervened in the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. The setting of a spy (Jung Hae-in) infiltrating the activist group in 'Snowdrop' gives the impression that there were actually spies sent from the North at that time. This is why it is criticized as historical distortion.

Could the production team have been unaware of the various conspiracy theories surrounding that period? If they knew now, why do they still talk about 'misunderstandings' or 'plot twists'? Is it about capital?

The concern has become reality. Amid the controversy over 'Snowdrop,' claims that spies existed during the democratization movement have resurfaced. The drama has provided a pretext for conspiracy theories.

Furthermore, 'Snowdrop' initially named the female lead Young-cho (Jisoo), but after backlash for evoking democratization activist Chun Young-cho, the name was changed to Young-ro. However, the male lead Im Soo-ho also faces criticism for reminding viewers of real figures such as Lim Jong-seok, Lim Su-kyung, and Yun Isang.

The production team's choice to set the drama in the 1980s and even give characters names reminiscent of real people is criticized as more than just a fictional backdrop.

The male lead Im Soo-ho in 'Snowdrop' is still a spy, while the female lead Eun Young-ro is portrayed as a college student who falls in love without considering the era's struggles. Young-ro misunderstands Soo-ho as an activist student and helps him. Unlike others around who occasionally suspect Soo-ho might be a spy, Young-ro never doubts him, as she harbors romantic feelings for him.

In short, it is a story about a love-blinded female college student who falls for a male spy and helps him without suspicion, deepening her feelings. Later, when Young-ro learns Soo-ho's true identity and feels betrayed, it does not come as a major twist. Their romance has been foreshadowed. Ultimately, they are expected to fall in love.

None of the university students appearing in 'Snowdrop' reflect on the era. They gather to laugh and chat, groom their appearances, and plan parties. They constantly talk about the opposite sex and even consider finding a well-off spouse to change their social status. How should we accept this portrayal of students living in 1987?

The drama features characters reminiscent of North Korean spies, the KCIA, Chun Doo-hwan, and the Hanahoe clique, and even includes a character similar to Chun Doo-hwan, who is portrayed stylishly, which is also criticized.

Chun Doo-hwan passed away without apologizing for the wrongdoings he committed in the 1980s, such as fabricating spy cases and torture. Victims who suffered unjustly and witnesses of history still remember the past. This is also why 'Snowdrop' is condemned.

Aside from the controversy over historical distortion, the drama itself is disappointing. Viewers have already turned their backs on 'Snowdrop.' The ratings started at 3.0% in episode 1 but fell to 1.9% in episode 3 and 1.7% in episode 4. Despite promoting the romance between actor Jung Hae-in and BLACKPINK's Jisoo, it was not enough to offset everything.

JTBC continues to air 'Snowdrop' as if nothing happened and supplies it worldwide through Disney Plus. They keep promoting it through press releases. If they hope the issue will quietly fade away without a single apology, it is questionable whether viewers can continue to trust dramas presented by this channel in the future.

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