IU and Byeon Woo-Seok Issue Apologies Over 'Perfect Crown' Controversy

May 18, 2026

63 min

May 18, 2026 11:32

IU and Byeon Woo-Seok apologise profusely amid Perfect Crown backlash: 'I didn't think deeply enough'

## Backlash Over Historical Portrayal

The drama "Perfect Crown" has faced significant criticism for its depiction of a fictional royal setting in an alternate universe where South Korea is a constitutional monarchy. The controversy intensified after Episode 11, which aired on May 15, was criticized for distorting historical and cultural contexts.

## Public Apologies from the Cast

In response to the backlash, the production team issued a formal apology on May 16, acknowledging the concerns about undermining the nation's sovereign status. Following this, lead actors IU and Byeon Woo-Seok addressed the issue personally on May 18 through Instagram.

IU, who plays Seong Hui Ju, expressed regret for not being more responsible in her portrayal, admitting she failed to consider the historical implications deeply enough. She apologized for the disappointment caused and promised to approach future projects with greater caution.

Byeon Woo-Seok, portraying Grand Prince Ian, also shared his reflections. He acknowledged his lack of consideration for the historical context and the impact on viewers, vowing to take on future roles with more responsibility and thoughtfulness.

## Commitment to Improvement

Both actors have committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that they approach their work with a more thorough understanding of the historical and cultural messages conveyed in their projects.

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