The K-Drama world is once again abuzz with controversy, but this time, the target is the recently concluded historical drama, âPerfect Crown,â and the accompanying public petition. However, for seasoned K-Drama fans, the current furore feels less like a genuine call for justice and more like a familiar âwitch huntâ that, historically, rarely achieves its stated goals.
Many international fans are quick to point out a perceived double standard, with one fan commenting, âSomehow the sh*t storm around Bon Appetit Your Majesty wasnât half as crazy, when they ridiculously romanticized a real tyrant king.â This sentiment highlights a frustration among viewers who feel that âPerfect Crownâ is being unfairly singled out, echoing past instances like the minor outrage over âMr. Queenââs set design using historically inaccurate vases. As history shows, such movements gained little traction then, and the reality is theyâre unlikely to now.
The current petition, like many before it, carefully avoids directly naming the show to circumvent rules against targeting specific art or media. This isnât a new tactic; itâs a loophole frequently exploited, but the outcome remains consistent. IU, a frequent target, has faced at least eight similar petitions since 2019, none ever reaching the 50,000 signature mark required for legislative review, though some garnered significant attention with 20-30k signatures. Her name alone is enough to mobilize supporters and detractors alike, especially following the politically charged protests earlier this year.
So, what actually happens if the âPerfect Crownâ petition reaches 50,000 signatures â a likely scenario given IUâs involvement? The truth is, very little. Such petitions, categorized as assembly petitions (requiring 50k signatures), will almost certainly be closed down by the review board, ignored, or simply removed when the current assembly is reformed. Why? Because passing laws that target single pieces of art or media is deemed unconstitutional.
This constitutional barrier is precisely why no politician has dared to utter a single word about âPerfect Crownâ or its accusations, even when some claims align perfectly with certain right-wing narratives. In an election season, any hint of censoring media could be career-ending for a politician.
Contrast this with the executive petition system (requiring 200k signatures), which âSnowdropâ faced. That petition was ultimately denied on the grounds that authorities could only intervene if broadcasting laws were broken. While âSnowdropâ did see a massive advertiser exodus before airing due to public outrage, JTBC held its ground, aired the show without external ads, and was ultimately vindicated as its historical claims were largely accepted.
The typical goal of these petitions is to generate public outrage, catalyze boycotts, and force advertisers to pull out. However, âPerfect Crownâ has already concluded its run, significantly blunting this strategy. Boycotting a finished show is challenging; the only viable, albeit difficult, path would be to organize a large-scale boycott against MBC directly, impacting their other shows and advertisers. While âMr. Sunshineâ also faced debates over historical accuracy, it was never politically weaponized in the same manner.
Ultimately, going after IU, a beloved figure with immense public support, is seen by many as a foolish move, likely to backfire and consolidate her fanbase rather than harm her career. The petitions targeting âPerfect Crownâ may generate noise and signatures, but as past controversies prove, they are unlikely to achieve any substantial, lasting change beyond the virtual chatter of international fandom.
