Was there any moment in your life when you watched a Kdrama so impressively intriguing when suddenly, you felt like something was just off? “Wait, was it supposed to be the Joseon era? Why in the world was it there?” You’re not the only one who notices the strange details. In fact, another Korean historical drama is once again facing controversy for cultural inaccuracy, making the whole “historical” emphasis basically pointless. So, what happened, and which 2024 Korean historical drama is facing such controversy? Let us give you all the details in the report below.
New 2024 Korean Drama Is Facing Unexpected Controversy
The controversy surrounding Korean historical drama productions once again becomes a massive highlight with the leaked details of the upcoming series, “The Queen Who Crowns” (a.k.a. “Won Gyeong”).
On December 19, a leaked poster of “The Queen Who Crowns” started circulating on the internet and social media. The poster features Korean rising actress Cha Joo Young in a dramatic and elegant portrayal of her character, Queen Won Gyeong.
In this leaked poster, Cha Joo Young showcases a breathtaking portrayal of Queen Won Gyeong. Despite all of her acting controversies, her first impression as one of the most powerful Queens in Joseon was nothing but exceptional.
The queen is portrayed in a close-up with a somber, intense expression that evokes a sense of power and contemplation. The warm, golden tones in the background create a soft yet dramatic contrast, casting shadows that add depth to the composition. In this first impression, Cha Joo Young successfully conveyed not just the beauty of her character but also a sense of responsibility and gravitas, fitting for a queenly role in a historical drama.
Yet, despite all her impressive portrayals, this new 2024 Korean historical drama still faced unexpected controversy. Why? Because of the cultural inaccuracy of the costume.
“The Queen Who Crowns” tells the story of Queen Won Gyeong, the wife of King Taejong Yi Bang Won, the third ruler of South Korea’s ancient Joseon dynasty. However, when the leaked poster came out, Cha Joo Young was wearing a costume with a black halterneck style.
This inaccuracy immediately resulted in a massive controversy. Fans heavily criticized the style, arguing that if it’s set in the Joseon era, historical accuracy should be respected, even in a fictional adaptation.
NOT The First Cultural Inaccuracy Issue
While this issue may seem trivial, it became massive because this is not the first time a Korean historical drama has stirred up controversy over cultural inaccuracies.
“Under the Queen’s Umbrella” Bends Joseon’s Rules
Previously, in 2022, tvN’s “Under the Queen’s Umbrella” became a phenomenal series for its unique plot centered around royal princes competing for the throne. Fans incredibly loved the fresh take and how the series portrayed a mother’s love from different perspectives. However, it didn’t escape criticism for bending historical facts a little too far.
At the time, actress Kim Hye Soo, who portrayed Queen Im Hwa Ryeong, referred to herself as “Bongung.” Apparently, queens during the Joseon dynasty never used that term. Hence, fans who know their history were quick to call it out.
Not only that, but the drama’s central plot—a rivalry between the queen’s legitimate sons and those of royal concubines—also raised eyebrows.
In the past, under the strict Neo-Confucian system of the Joseon era, the queen’s sons (known as Jeoktong Daegun) were considered the ultimate rightful successors. Therefore, the idea of concubines’ sons openly competing for the throne just didn’t make sense historically.
Viewers argued that if the creators wanted to tell this kind of story, they should have set it in a fictional kingdom instead. Even fusion historical dramas, it seems, are held to a certain standard of historical accuracy.
“Queen Woo”: Goguryeo or Chinese?
Moreover, the controversy doesn’t stop there. Earlier this year, the controversial drama with meaningless sex scenes, “Queen Woo,” starring Jeon Jong Seo, also faced cultural inaccuracy backlash.
Set in the Goguryeo period, the costumes worn by the queen looked far too Chinese for some viewers’ liking.
Moreover, from the POV of critics and experts, all the costumes’ designs were reportedly more inspired by Chinese dramas than authentic Goguryeo attire. Therefore, this controversy around the phenomenal 2024 Korean historical drama gained strong criticism from a former costume director for the PyeongChang Olympics, Geum Ki Sook.
“When you’re designing something completely unfamiliar, creativity is fair game. But when referencing something that already exists, you need to be extra careful.”
Geum Ki Sook.
Between Historical Facts and Creative Exploration: How Far is Too Far?
Finally, despite these dramas being praised for their focus on strong female leads and bold storytelling, it’s clear that historical inaccuracies can’t just be brushed aside.
When a drama is set in a real historical period, audiences will expect certain standards to be maintained—particularly with costumes, language, and cultural context. Deviating too far can disrupt immersion and alienate viewers who value historical loyalty.
However, it is without a doubt that creativity is incredibly essential for fresh storytelling. Fusion dramas and fictional narratives breathe new life into familiar histories, allowing for imagination and relatability.
So, the question is: how far is too far?
While artistic freedom is crucial, respect for historical foundations will undoubtedly root the narrative, enriching both entertainment and cultural appreciation. Therefore, costumes resembling another culture, nonsense storylines, or modern elements inserted without context can actually destroy the credibility of historical references.
Therefore, the balance actually lies in carefully blending imagination with authenticity. It is how you create a drama that presents a compelling narrative while remaining faithful to all the details and historical references to the past culture.
When creators lose this balance, even a captivating story risks losing its audience’s trust.
Do you think so, too? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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Source: TV Report.
