Telling Networks to Cancel Dramas

                                                                                      written by 20807 Kim Eun Jae

What Is the Complaint? 

Recently, some Korean dramas caused controversy.


For example, Joseon Kumasa that’s set in Joseon, used Chinese clothes, food, music and was criticized for distorting real people and history. This drama dealt with King Sejong who is one of the most respected figures in Korea, so people were angrier.


In another drama, True Beauty, a scene in which Korean girls eat Chinese hot pot at a convenience store was controversial. The reason for the controversy is that the PPL of a Chinese company is to eat Chinese food at convenience stores in Korea, not Korean food. In addition to that scene, it is a Korean drama, such as a poster advertising a Chinese shopping mall.


Viewers were divided into two sides.

There are opinions that even though it is a Korean drama, too much Chinese capital is invested and exposed, not many people can read Chinese, and it looks like a Chinese drama. On the other hand, it can't be helped because it was necessary to enter the Chinese market.

Why Raise Controversy?

Recently, cultural friction between Korea and China has risen with claims of ownership..

China used Korean culture, kimchi, hanbok, and Korean independence activists in the media.

China pretended that these were its own culture. These events increased Korean citizens' antipathy toward China and led to a growing sense of rejection of Chinese capital.

Therefore, Koreans became sensitive about their own culture. This mass psychology affected dramas.
So, people are telling some dramas to stop using Chinese culture as Korean.

Stations’ Decision

As a result, SBS, a broadcast station, decided not to transmit a broadcast about Joseon Kumasa,

a drama that makes Chinese culture look like Korean culture a controversial drama.

After that decision, the station apologizes for causing controversy. 

In the case of other dramas, people also asked for sanctions that request to delete scenes showing China PPL

if they thought Chinese capital seemed excessive. We need to carefully worry about how Chinese capital will affect

Korean pop culture and find solutions on how to protect our culture.