From Geumjjok-i and Yeoincheonha to Distortions... Why Is the Recently Hot 'Gogeojun' Controversial?

Criticism of 'Historical Distortion' Over Recent Developments
Original Author Also Criticizes, Clashes with Production Team
Production Team Explains, "Please View as a Work Different from the Novel"

The production team of KBS 2TV's epic drama 'Goryeo-Khitan War' and the original author are in conflict over the drama's development. Gil Seung-su, the author of the original novel, criticized the production, pointing out that "the drama's content differs from the original work and includes elements that contradict historical facts." The production team explained that "they did not consult Gil, and the drama and the novel are entirely different stories." In response, Gil Seung-su issued a rebuttal, intensifying the conflict between the two sides.

The controversy over the drama's development began around episodes 17 and 18 of 'Goryeo-Khitan War.' In these episodes, King Hyeonjong, who was in conflict with General Gang Gam-chan, is shown crying while riding a horse and then falling off. Netizens criticized this scene, saying it "portrays King Hyeonjong, who is regarded as one of the greatest kings alongside King Sejong of Joseon, as a weakling." The controversy did not subside there. After observing the recent portrayal of Queen Wonjeong in the broadcast, netizens expressed dissatisfaction, calling it "a Goryeo version of 'Women of the Palace'."

KBS 2TV 'Goryeo-Khitan War' Poster [Photo by KBS]

In response to the controversy, on the 23rd, PD Jeon Woo-sung, who directed the drama, explained the situation through his social networking service (SNS), stating, "As the person responsible for the entire process from planning to production of this drama, I would like to clarify some facts." PD Jeon said, "There are various types of contracts for drama adaptations," and added, "In the case of 'Goryeo-Khitan War,' it was not a remake or partial adaptation contract."

He continued, "The novel 『Goryeo-Khitan Chronicles』 focuses more on detailed depictions of battle scenes rather than narrative storytelling," and explained, "We signed an original work and advisory contract with Gil Seung-su (author of the novel 『Goryeo-Khitan Chronicles』) to vividly recreate battle scenes, and some of these scenes were well utilized in the drama." He claimed, "At the time when writer Lee Jung-woo began scriptwriting, Gil refused to provide consultation, citing differences in storytelling direction from his novel," and added, "We repeatedly requested his advice, but he ultimately declined."

PD Jeon emphasized, "We subsequently selected new consultants and proceeded with meticulous historical verification during scriptwriting and production," and expressed, "Nevertheless, we are bewildered by Gil's claims that we did not seek his advice and produced the drama without basic historical verification." He also stated, "We cannot agree with Gil portraying himself as the sole expert in this field," adding, "The drama's consultants are historians who have dedicated their lives to studying history."

Scriptwriter: "A work separate from the novel" vs. Original author: "Scriptwriter ordered 'paper writing'"

KBS 2TV 'Goryeo-Khitan War' Poster [Photo by KBS]

Scriptwriter Lee Jung-woo also stated in a position paper, "'Goryeo-Khitan War' was not planned to be a visual adaptation of the novel 『Goryeo-Khitan Chronicles』," and said, "The drama 'Goryeo-Khitan War' was created as an original KBS project, and the title was 'Goryeo-Khitan War' from the beginning." He explained, "Although the original work is credited according to the contract, this novel neither initiated nor forms the foundation of the drama 'Goryeo-Khitan War,'" and added, "After becoming the drama's writer, I redesigned the story from scratch based on Goryeo history."

Lee pointed out, "Since it was a completely separate work from the start, comparing it to the original is meaningless," and criticized, "The original novelist's disparagement of my qualifications is clearly excessive."

In response, Gil Seung-su posted on his blog the same day, denying that he refused consultation and criticizing the production team, saying, "Now they shamelessly lie." He claimed that Lee ordered him, as if he were a superior, to perform the assistant writer's task of "paper writing." When Gil refused, PD Jeon reportedly said, "If you don't do as you're told, you don't need to come."

Netizens reacted to Gil's criticism with comments such as, "The scriptwriter is taking unreasonable measures to write his own work," "They are making King Hyeonjong, who is regarded as one of the greatest kings alongside King Sejong, look like a fool," "I think the drama ended after General Yang Gyu's death," and "The controversy between the production team and the original author is more entertaining than the recent drama itself."

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