On March 27, Jang Dong Yoon issued a personal apology regarding the controversy. He was the first one from the cast members and production team on “Joseon Exorcist” to apologize. Since I don’t speak Hangul, I’m going to post both translations from allkpop and soompi to get a better grasp of the nuance.
I believe his apology hit the right notes and will go down well with the netizens. That’s why I’m going to “mansplain” (or should I say bitch-splain?) his letter of apology. I think his international fans need to understand what it’s imperative for him to apologize. They seem to live in a special sort of bubble.
Koreans are saying this: It’s our history!
International fans are saying: But…but…but…I love the actor! The cast members work so hard! I waited for this zombie drama all year long. What part of fictional don’t knetz get? This is censorship. Let’s petition this to be moved to Netflix. This is the start of the end of kdramas. Nooo, not Mr Queen, too!
I like Jang Dong Yoon. I rooted for him in “A Poem a Day” when many of the fangirls were dissing him and his character for the other guy. And since I like JDY, it’s necessary to bitch-splain his apology so his international fans don’t ruin his image among his people.
Look here:
It was announced last November that he and the other leads were confirmed to do “Joseon Exorcist.” If he started working right then, that would mean that he and the others had been hard at work for, at least, five months on this project. I don’t know about the writer and director, but let’s say they had this project on the backburner for a year.
So… the international fans are up-in-arms because, in their minds, the hard work of these actors and staff were nullified by the overreaction of the Koreans to the first two episodes of the drama.
lol. It’s laughable that these international fans don’t see the irony here. If they’re going to use “hard work” as yardstick of their outrage, then they should consider the hard work of these very historical characters that the actors were portraying.
Fact: Taejong worked hard as king for 18 years, and Sejong worked hard as king for 32 years.
The Koreans are protesting that these monarchs’ hard work — no! more than that — their LEGACIES were being distorted and nullified because of this writer’s fantasy story.
If I were to judge the merits of both camps’ protests, then its clear to me that the international fans have no leg to stand on. They don’t get to control the narrative since it’s not THEIR story to tell.
The International fans should also read up on the current tensions between China and South Korea. As many of you know, any political or legal issue is taboo for me.
Without further ado, let’s turn our eyes on Jang Dong Yoon’s letter. lol. His letter is short but my commentary is waaaay longer because I had to parse it.
This is his apology as translated by allkpop.
“I spent a lot of time reflecting. Even though I may not be able to satisfy all those who were frustrated with me, I am writing this in the hopes that I can at least deliver my sincere response to all who were waiting to hear from me, as a leading cast member of ‘Joseon Exorcist’.
I have absolutely no room for excuses. I am just sincerely apologetic. I did not adequately assess how problematic this production would be. This was because I was foolish and lazy. I only considered the production from the limited perspective of an actor looking at a creative piece. I completely overlooked the perspective from the calculative lens of society. It was a major mistake. Because I thought that it was a chance for me to work with a respected director and many sunbaes and fellow actors and actresses whom I respected, I thought I had no reason to turn this production down. Within my limited view of the choices given to me, I thought that it was the best option. Once again, all of this was due to my carelessness.
I’ve always lived trying to cultivate myself to the best of my abilities, believing that if you live morally and not make immoral mistakes, you can live with your head high. Despite so, I became professionally wrapped up in a shameful and embarrassing incident, and I am reflecting on myself for these recent events. I know very well that my profession is tightly bound in the public’s love and acceptance. Thus, even if you read my letter and perceive it as only excuses, I will accept it with modesty.
I did not intend for this letter to be a portal for my personal feelings and emotions, but in the hopes that I would be able to show my sincerity, it has become emotional and so I apologize for that. But if you will generously accept this apology, I would like to take away the important lessons from this incident in my heart and show you a better, more mature side of me as an actor in the future.”
source: allkpop
This is the same apology as translated by soompi
“Hello, this is actor Jang Dong Yoon. I worried a lot about [what to say]. I’m writing this in the hopes that, even if it is lacking, it will be an honest and sincere response to the many frustrated people who are waiting to hear my thoughts and stance as one of the leads of “Joseon Exorcist.”
First, there is no room for me to make excuses. I’m incredibly sorry. I failed to fully recognize that this drama would become so problematic. This is because I was ignorant and complacent. I only looked at the drama from the perspective of an actor acting out a creative work. I neglected my responsibility to look carefully [at the drama] from a societal perspective. It was a huge mistake.
Based solely on the fact that I would have the opportunity to work with a director I admire and amazing fellow actors, there was no reason for me to turn down this drama. Within my limited options, after taking a variety of factors into consideration, I believed that I had made the best choice [by selecting this drama]. As I said earlier, this, too, was because I was foolish.
Believing that people can live proudly if they lack moral flaws, I have always tried my best to be strict in keeping myself in line. But now that this kind of shameful and mortifying incident has happened related to my work, I’m filled with regret.
I’m deeply aware that it is because of the love and interest of the public that I am able to work [as an actor]. Therefore, even if you dismiss this [statement] as excuses, despite my intentions, I will humbly accept that. I didn’t want to make an emotional plea or write something invoking sympathy, but in the process of trying to sincerely express my feelings, I think this has become that kind of statement, so I apologize once again for that. However, if you generously look kindly on [my role in this matter], I’d like to engrave this incident in my heart and remember it forever while showing you good things as a more mature actor.”
source: soompi
Now, let’s go over this paragraph by paragraph. The Allkpop version is in blue; the soompi version in green.
Allkpop: I spent a lot of time reflecting. Even though I may not be able to satisfy all those who were frustrated with me, I am writing this in the hopes that I can at least deliver my sincere response to all who were waiting to hear from me, as a leading cast member of ‘Joseon Exorcist’.
Soompi: Hello, this is actor Jang Dong Yoon. I worried a lot about [what to say]. I’m writing this in the hopes that, even if it is lacking, it will be an honest and sincere response to the many frustrated people who are waiting to hear my thoughts and stance as one of the leads of “Joseon Exorcist.”
My comments:
1. The soompi version seems to be closer to the original text than the allkpop version. The allkpop version reads as if it had polished by the translator, and rephrased with standard idiomatic expressions. The soompi version appears to use Korean colloquialisms, e.g., “even if it is lacking.”
2. I like that he acknowledged that as the lead actor, he couldn’t hide from the general public who was waiting to hear what he had to say.
3. I especially like that he was the one to speak out FIRST. Considering that he’s the youngest of the three male leads, this is a sign of his courage and maturity. He’s taking responsibility.
4. To me, if there had been an order to the release of the apologies, then it should have been:
a. the writer to speak first because the public was most irate with him,
b. followed by the director because it was his oversight over the props that triggered the furor.
But these two men hid behind Jang Dong Yoon. What cowards!
Allkpop: I have absolutely no room for excuses. I am just sincerely apologetic. I did not adequately assess how problematic this production would be. This was because I was foolish and lazy. I only considered the production from the limited perspective of an actor looking at a creative piece. I completely overlooked the perspective from the calculative lens of society. It was a major mistake. Because I thought that it was a chance for me to work with a respected director and many sunbaes and fellow actors and actresses whom I respected, I thought I had no reason to turn this production down. Within my limited view of the choices given to me, I thought that it was the best option. Once again, all of this was due to my carelessness.
Soompi: First, there is no room for me to make excuses. I’m incredibly sorry. I failed to fully recognize that this drama would become so problematic. This is because I was ignorant and complacent. I only looked at the drama from the perspective of an actor acting out a creative work. I neglected my responsibility to look carefully [at the drama] from a societal perspective. It was a huge mistake.
Based solely on the fact that I would have the opportunity to work with a director I admire and amazing fellow actors, there was no reason for me to turn down this drama. Within my limited options, after taking a variety of factors into consideration, I believed that I had made the best choice [by selecting this drama]. As I said earlier, this, too, was because I was foolish.
My comments:
1. This was great apology. He didn’t do a “non-apology apology” which usually reads like this, “I’m sorry if YOU felt hurt by my actions.”
2. He didn’t shift the blame.
He didn’t blame his management company. He didn’t blame the director. He didn’t blame the writer. He *owned* his mistake when he said that he had no room for excuses.
3. He blamed himself for not RECOGNIZING the problem immediately. He called himself foolish (“ignorant” is a better translation) and lazy (“complacent” is the better word).
4. Why do I say that “complacent” is a better word than “lazy”? “Lazy” just implies that he just slacked off and didn’t do his job to vet his project. But “complacent” suggested that he was so happy and looking forward to working with the director and the other actors that his judgment became clouded. He didn’t correctly assess the situation.
5. I believe his honesty here.
6. He considered it a worthwhile project because he was going to work with a great director as well as senior actors and his peers whom he looked up to. He was going to learn his craft these people so he didn’t turn the project down.
7. Note: he didn’t mention the writer.
8. He acknowledged that he didn’t consider that there were other factors when choosing the project.
9. He said that he failed to consider the impact of this drama on society. And this failure to do so was very foolish (“ignorant” is a better word) of him.
10. I think this controversy taught Jang Dong Yoon that he didn’t exist in a bubble, and that his choices affected others, especially since he was a rising actor.
11. I like that he considers this as a a learning experience for him. I don’t sense any resentment in this letter that the general public had canceled his work. He accepted that he’d been ignorant, but that he knew better now. There’s an implied promise that next time, when he looked at a project, he’d pay attention to:
society’s interests, and NOT ONLY HIS personal interest
drama’s impact on viewers, and not only his personal desire to grow as an actor
drama’s treatment of history, and not only the creative merits of the drama
social awareness, and not only artistic license
12. Note: This was precisely my point when I mentioned the backlash on Shin Hyesun in “Mr. Queen.”
I said I have no problems with her acting ability. And she was well within her rights to say that “when she received and read the script, she thought that if she did not take the project up, she would live to regret it.” (source: koreaboo) She was clearly saying that when she read the script, *she* (and not her manager) would be a fool not to accept it. And I get why: the role of Queen would challenge and hone her acting skills like none of her previous projects. In a nutshell, she took up the project for her personal development.
Given her remark, it should come as no surprise that the netizens would question WHY on earth she didn’t find the script problematic after reading it in advance. That’s a valid question.
If she was going to be honest, she could just respond in the same manner as Jang Dong Yoon did: say that, in her excitement to take up a big role, she overlooked the effect of portraying such character to clueless audience.
Look: I’m not Korean, and I’m not an actress. I’m only a viewer yet I dropped that kdrama from my viewing schedule because the story didn’t fly with me. But it didn’t enter Shin Hyesun’s poor little head to consider the general themes of the script and the overall message to the audience.
So again, I say this, “She’s a great actress, no question. But her social awareness – or her awareness of public sentiments and public perception – needs work.” When I compare Jang Dong Yoon to Shin Hyesun, he seems to have grasped the bigger issue here and has displayed more sensitivity.
Allkpop: I’ve always lived trying to cultivate myself to the best of my abilities, believing that if you live morally and not make immoral mistakes, you can live with your head high. Despite so, I became professionally wrapped up in a shameful and embarrassing incident, and I am reflecting on myself for these recent events. I know very well that my profession is tightly bound in the public’s love and acceptance. Thus, even if you read my letter and perceive it as only excuses, I will accept it with modesty.
Soompi: Believing that people can live proudly if they lack moral flaws, I have always tried my best to be strict in keeping myself in line. But now that this kind of shameful and mortifying incident has happened related to my work, I’m filled with regret.
I’m deeply aware that it is because of the love and interest of the public that I am able to work [as an actor]. Therefore, even if you dismiss this [statement] as excuses, despite my intentions, I will humbly accept that.
My comments:
1. Here, I was reminded of the incident that had propelled Jang Dong Yoon to the limelight. With his quick thinking, he caught an armed man in the act of robbing a convenience store. In this paragraph, he was saying that he was a person who always tried to do the right thing and to live an upright life. So he’s mortified that he was caught up in this scandal.
2. He acknowledges that he owes his success and popularity as an actor to the general public.
3. Thus, he isn’t demanding for people’s forgiveness. He knows he has to earn the approval and favor that the public has previously bestowed upon him.
4. He’ll understand if people would think that he was writing this apology simply as an excuse to cover his ass. (He isn’t, by the way.)
Allkpop: I did not intend for this letter to be a portal for my personal feelings and emotions, but in the hopes that I would be able to show my sincerity, it has become emotional and so I apologize for that. But if you will generously accept this apology, I would like to take away the important lessons from this incident in my heart and show you a better, more mature side of me as an actor in the future.
Soompi: I didn’t want to make an emotional plea or write something invoking sympathy, but in the process of trying to sincerely express my feelings, I think this has become that kind of statement, so I apologize once again for that. However, if you generously look kindly on [my role in this matter], I’d like to engrave this incident in my heart and remember it forever while showing you good things as a more mature actor.
My comments:
1. In closing, he’s again apologizing for the tone of his letter. He didn’t intend to sound like he was groveling for understanding and sympathy.
2. But if the public would be so generous as to accept his sincere apology, he would be eternally grateful and would work harder to repay their trust in him.
3. Overall, I think his remorse was heartfelt, and his sincerity came through in this letter.
In comparison, here’s the letter of the writer.
This is the writer of “Joseon Exorcist,” Park. Gye Ok.
I sincerely apologize for causing discomfort to viewers over the past few days because of a script I wrote without careful consideration.
As I was preparing for the drama, as the head screenwriter, I wanted to keep my past mistakes in mind and show my improvement through a good script. Instead, my complacency and lack of mature judgment resulted in the anger and exhaustion of viewers.
Once again, I apologize.
I should have shown more respect to those heroes who established the Joseon dynasty and left a huge impact on our history. Instead, I leaned on the fact that the drama was in the fantasy genre and deeply regret the complacent judgments I made as a result.
Many viewers have criticized and speculated about intentional historical distortion, but I have never intended such a thing. However, the results were that I left deep scars on others, so I will take this to heart and not forget this feeling.
I bow my head and apologize to the actors, production staff, and director who poured their heart and soul into making a good drama, as well as to the production company and the broadcasting station.
Once again, I apologize to all the viewers with all my heart.
source: soompi
My comments:
1. Apology sounds forced. He said, “I apologize…” then he said, “Once again, I apologize,” next, “I bow my head and apologize…” and he ended with, “Once again, I apologize.”
I’ve this image of him gritting his teeth and thinking, “There! I already I apologized! How many more times do I apologize? One more time?”
2. He said he wanted to keep his past mistake in mind, but didn’t he already incurred the wrath of the netizens from “Mr Queen”? How could he excuse repeating the same mistake that he was called out for in “Mr Queen” and just call it “lack of mature judgment”?
“Lack of mature judgment” can only be used as an excuse by the YOUNG cast members like Jang Dong Yoon (born 1993) and Lee YooBi (born 1990). People as old and experienced as he is are expected to know better.
According to mydramalist, his date of birth is January 3, 1970. He’s 51 years old, for crying out loud. And he’s been writing since 1995…when Jang Dong Yoon was only 3 years old!
3. And this paragraph here, “I should have shown more respect to those heroes who established the Joseon dynasty and left a huge impact on our history. Instead, I leaned on the fact that the drama was in the fantasy genre and deeply regret the complacent judgments I made as a result.”
Ugh! He should have edited the second sentence. To me, he was insisting that his drama belonged to a FANTASY genre and it was the people’s fault that they read more into it that he actually intended. This sounded like the excuse that the production company originally released when the controversy arose.
Although this drama borrowed historical figures and settings, it is a fantasy fusion historical drama that began with the imaginary thought, “What if evil spirits arise and enter the ambitions of humans during the chaos of Joseon’s early days?” We planned on drawing the stories of how Taejong, Prince Chungnyeong, and Prince Yangnyeong each overcome crises and run towards their goals.
source: soompi
Koreans are not idiots that he thought they were. If he wrote a “fantasy” story about Jane Austen and depict her as this nymphomaniac, who secretly eloped with a coachman’s boy, aborted her baby, and killed her family, the ladies of the Jane Austen Society would clutch their pearls and go after him with pitchforks.
4. “Complacent” judgment?! How could he say that he was complacent when he already went through the same controversy once with “Mr. Queen”? “Complacent” isn’t the right word. It’s “brazen.” He expected to get away with it and to raise ratings with the controversy.
5. His statement is bogus, too. “Many viewers have criticized and speculated about intentional historical distortion, but I have never intended such a thing.” Really? He had no intentions?
6. I don’t get why he insisted on using historical characters instead of fictional ones in his story. He was already writing about zombies, right? So why not just write a fictional king and his heirs? Other writers have done it. “100 Days, My Prince” was about a fictional prince. “The King: Eternal Monarch” was about a fictional Lee Gon who was ruler of the Kingdom of Corea.
7. Why didn’t he apologize right away? According to soompi, Jang Dong Yoon was the first cast member to apologize, followed by Park Sung Hoon and Lee YooBi. Tsk tsk tsk. It’s a pathetic move if he allowed his JUNIORS face the heat first. (ref. soompi)
There you have. My final words on this sorry state of affairs.
@packmule3, So all of this begs the question, Wby don’t these writers just use fictional characters in their period dramas? It seems to me as a foreigner that this would save awhole lot of grief.The same couldbe said of the production designers (no Chinese artifacts, food, costumes, hair styles,etc).I also see your point about Korean culture and sensibilities, and its proximity and fraught history with economic and national powerhouses China and Japan. Korea endured so much suffering and privation under China and Japan, that I can see how misplaced cultural references can sting. There is irony to this all. The Hallyu wave also is dependent on international fandoms. Since becoming interested and a fan of K media content, I have been struck by how much fan service is given in international markets with Hallyu stars having lucrative fan meeting in Beijing or Tokyo (fill in the appropriate Chinese and Japanese cities) coupled with Korean product sponsorships (like K beauty,fashion, telecommunications, automobiles, shipping). Thus, anyone in media is subject to domestic and international criticism coupled with economic sanctions from individuals and governments (see recent articles about Chinese stars who are dropping endirsements for priducts by Addidas,Calvin Klein, etc. because of oerceived slights to theur country inthe media). For my perspective, there are parallels to the fall out from initially well-intentioned movements in this country like the me too movement. Careers and programs can be immediately erased for various reasons without the fact that some of the accused might have grown and become aware and have repented for their alleged misdeeds. My western perception also gives me fear that these forms of censorship take us closer to totalitarian solutions like book burning and propaganda.But, in truth, this has always existed and internationally allof this sits on a continuum. But to get back to Korea, there is so much more to netizen reaction than meets our international eyes. And if you have to do zombies, take a train to Busan, use fictional historical kings or find comic detectives.
As to Mr. Queen, I find the reactionby netizens to Shin Hye-sun disingenouous given the fact that the drama was highly rated in Korea. They’re piling on after the fact and seem to be zeroing in on the female lead who has to be prescient. I guess the disclaimers on these dramas aren’t enough. And this show continues to play in international markets, having not been removed from Viki. So I guess it didn’t rise to the same level as Joseon Exorcist.
And finally, my thoughts on netizen culture-I see parallels with all the international internet trolling and swooning. No matter where inthe world you go, the trolls seem to prevail from the important to the trivial. I guess it is the downside of the internet. And eachvcountry has its own version of it. It would be nice if kindness would prevail but I am not optimistic. But one can only hope.
Old American Lady,
As far as I can see, there’s a BIG difference between Chinese censorship and Korean “censorship.” If there was a Korean lurking here, I’m sure I’d get a post protesting the comparison.
Fact 1: The Chinese censorship is government-led. All Chinese dramas that we see on the internet and tv have been reviewed and approved by the Chinese government.
Fact 2: The Korean “censorship” that we just witnessed is democracy and capitalism in action. It was people-led. The people petitioned the tv station SBS, the program sponsors, the academics, and politicians to listen to their side. SBS was allowed to rebut the people’s argument but it failed to convince anybody. The academics weighed in and, as far I know, one consultant said the show was damaging the representation of their historical personages. I didn’t see a single member of the academia come out in support of the show. The program sponsors withdrew their financial support. Without any backing, the show folded.
The South Korean people didn’t burn down government building, topple any statues and kill anyone — as far as I know. They complained through the proper channels, through peaceful (although loud) means.
And…guess what? It worked for them! That’s democracy. The majority spoke. The majority protested. The majority won.
The Chinese government is totalitarian. The South Korean government isn’t totalitarian.
It’s THEIR story. It’s their history. It’s their drama. We cannot dictate what they should or should not be offended with. We cannot impose on them OUR standards of “freedom of speech” when in our own country, this freedom is already under seige.
Cries of book-burning are premature and exaggerated, in my opinion.
But this is a warning to future historical revisionists, contortionists and fabulists like Park Gye Ok that their work will be scrutinized.
As for Shin Hyesun, it’s the optics. I already said this she needed more “social” awareness.
If Jang DongYoon had:
a. said the same thing that SHS said, i.e., that she read the SCRIPT and she thought it was so awesome that she couldn’t pass this up
b. profited from drama with a commercial or an endorsement, like SHS.
c. remained silent and didn’t apologize, like SHS,
then you betcha bottom dollar that he’d get burned too. But he did none of that sort.
JDY’s apology specifically stated that working with the people made him decide to take on the drama. And the people couldn’t fault him for that because —
the director of this drama produced the critically acclaimed, “Tree With Deep Roots,” “Six Flying Dragons,” and “Nokdu Flower.”
and the actor who played Taejong was in movie “The King and the Clown” (2005) which was also popular.
Do you see the difference?
My advice for SHS if I were her legal rep is to lie low for awhile. Do community projects. Give back to the society with service hours. Educate herself. Read. But do everything quietly. Don’t call attention to herself.
BTW, I checked if there was a bit of sexism involved because SHS was female. And as far as I can tell, there’s none. I haven’t read anything about her costar — what’s his name? Jung Hyun?? — praising the script effusively and receiving an endorsement stemming from the drama so the Korean people aren’t going after him.
And yes, “Mr. Queen” was given a lucky pass. From what I read, people “sensed” something was wrong with it, but they couldn’t put a finger on it, so they gave it a pass. But when they felt it happening again in “Joseon Exorcist” — kinda like deja vu — they knew they hadn’t imagined it the first time around.
Of course, people could speculate and wonder if the situation had been reversed and “Joseon Exorcist” came first and “Mr Queen” came second, would “Mr Queen” get the axed?
As for the #metoo movement, I knew it was going to fail. How could it not? The people who led the #metoo movement were also the number one violators and enablers. It was a movement that was used for political expediency.
@packmule 3, To set the record straight, I didn’t want to conflate Chinese state sponsored censorship with Korean democratic disagreement. However, I believe that some of the disagreement can become toxic. In another country, Shin Hye-sun ‘s comment would be viewed as innocuous actor blather.It’s almost cliched.And in the context of a press tour it has all the makings of her doing her job. The second male lead in in Mr. Queen has benefited by his performance being the replacement On Dal.Seems like no bad consequences for his participation as he’s now getting lots of love. Was his judgment bad for doing Mr. Queen-I mean this rhetorically. So Shin Hye-sun would do well to heed your solid advice. At some point she’ll be rehabbed I hope. And the truism is so true-life ain’t fair. And my point here is that you questioned her judgment in making the statement and questioning her taking the role, but the second male lead hit his new role because if his Mr.Queen performance. Luck, fickle fans, anti fans, who knows? And no consistency. I can’t help thinking about The Greatest Love, one if the best show biz shows (from any country) about how fandoms, public opinion, business, the press can all be manipulated. Of course, timing and zeitgeist are everything. And thanks for the great discussion. On the matter if our actress I’ll just have to agree to disagree. In the end you’ve given me lots to think about.
I said this already. It’s the interview.
The difference between Shin HyeSun and two men, Kim Jung Hyun and Na In Woo, is that Shin Hye Sun gave that damning INTERVIEW and the two men didn’t.
If she’d only SHUT UP about how she found the SCRIPT so good that she was compelled to accept the role, then she wouldn’t get any flak from the people, just like the two men and the other cast members of Mr Queen aren’t being hounded for participating in the drama.
Don’t you get what I’m saying? 🙂 It’s the interview where she praised the script that damned her in the people’s mind.
The fact that she said that script was GOOD meant she did NOT see anything BAD with it. And that’s why the Koreans are upset with her. How could she NOT see anything wrong with it?
She would have been given a pass, like Kim Jung Hyun, Na In Woo, and the other minor characters were a given a pass, had she just said that she was glad to work with these fine colleagues and to be given a chance to entertain the people during these trying times with the little gift for acting that she had.
See that? She could have avoided talking about the problematic script. And people would have understood that she took on the role because it was work.
Do you get the difference?
Really now. Her interview not only showed an appalling lack of historical IQ and people EQ, but it was also self-aggrandizing. 🙂 We Americans are a “low-context” society. We say what we want and what we mean. There’s often little subtlety. Koreans aren’t like that, as we know. They’re a “high-context” society.
So *if* SHS said that she’d be a fool not to take the job, the hidden context in her statement would be:
that she was NOT a fool,
that she knew what she was doing when she took on the role, and
that the people were the FOOLS for not seeing how good it was.
That would definitely rub people the wrong way too.
That’s why she can’t cry “poor little foolish me” when the people come toppling her off her pedestal.
@packmule3, I hear you loud and clear. I can’t agree with your premise. By agreeing to participate in this production I am of the opinion that the participants are tacitly agreeing that the script is good. I am not trying to be obtuse. In a press call should an actor say the script is bad? Do you bite the hand that feeds you? You’re getting paid to do this. Did the cast and crew get paid? Dud the cast and crew do publicity? I can agree that cultural differences may require a different approach. But who has hindsight? I hope for Shin’s sake that this too shall pass but I am unable to fault her. We have a difference of opinion and I guess on this one, we’ve reached a stalemate. Nobody says we have to agree on everything. To use a cliche, that’s what makes the world go round. I hope in our disagreement, I have been respectful. I don’t want to offend and I ask that if I have please tell me what I’ve done. Thank you.
I love his apology. I thought he sounded thoughtful, introspective and earnest. I’m so relieved. I also really think he wrote that, if he didn’t, that writer needs to get the big bucks- And maybe do some PR consulting with other celebrities.
As for SHS, I do feel bad that she used the word ‘script’ and in hindsight I hope she realizes that was what caused ire. I’ve never seen any of her other work but I was so taken with her as an actress. PM, I know you suggested laying low and doing some with community service (maybe a place for women with assault trauma) but I think she would benefit from issuing an apology and acknowledging her misstep and what she’s learned since this has all gone down. Or has she done an apology that I just missed? I do so hope this isn’t the end for her. Unless it comes out that she was a bully and then good riddance
@packmule3, By way of an update check out Pinkvilla, the Indian site for K Drama and read the interview from early this month with the second male lead who benefited by being recast as Ondal(sic). Think of it as parallel to our lead actress done in international media. Perhaps we have a double standard. However on another note, after deliberation by the cosmetic company execs, it was decided that Shin Hye-sun would continue to be contracted as a spokesperson for it’s masks. The ultimate reason for the decision is not to blame the actors for the deeds of the writer. It looks like Ms. Shin dodged a bullet. My curiosity got the better of me, and took me to google where I found some informative articles about thebJiseon Exorcist controversy. I’ll continue to read up on it and it’s aftermath just to see how the industry responds, whether there’s a chilling effect and how soon it blows over or whether the discussion continues. What is instructive is the passion and feelings exprsed. I’ll never be acculturated to Korea but if I’m ever lucky enough to visit, I’ll st least know how to keep my foot out if my mouth (as n American expression about keeping quiet, being polite and not doing anything to embarass oneself or one’s host).
It’s about what was said that’s the problem? When I read NIW’s interview, he was happy to be part of the production of Mr Q. Had SHS used the same words and generic response, she would probably have dodged the bullet. NIW stayed in character (his character didn’t have modern day sensibilities and use them to mock Joseon decorum). I didn’t watch Mr Q. But from what that interview gave me, his character was true to the times. He portrayed a character that was consistent and reflective of the era (thereby respecting it?). The whole drama pretty much relied on SHS playing her part well because she was possessed by the man’s spirit from modern day. Hers was the defining role so the axe would fall on her. She’s been in the industry far longer than NIW so she should know to tread lightly. But obviously the allure of playing the 2 parts (male and female), (Joseon and Modern Day) was too good of an opportunity to miss? Hers was the part that had problems because of how her character snubbed historicity and Joseon decorum (hers was the voice of the writer laid bare). As far as I know, none of the other characters did that, they were foils. I think the fact that it was comedic meant the initial rumblings didn’t carry as far. I didn’t watch Mr Q because of the themes running through it. Why does the Queen need to have a spirit of a Modern Day man to possess her before she found her voice? What was so wrong about using your mind and living within the constraints of the time yet being innovative enough to live well in spite of it? Did her spirit just stay silent all that time and let the man do the talking? What does that say about her agency? 🙄
It showed great character on the part of Jang DongYoon to apologize first. I would’ve thought the responsibility lay squarely on the writer this time. I don’t know. I didn’t watch. Did any of the characters badmouth the king for slaying a whole village full of innocents? Why on earth the writer opted to use real kings instead of fictional ones is beyond me. Perhaps as Packmule has suggested it may well be because he wanted the “hype”. The talk that would generate publicity.
Jang Dong Yoon has all my respect and admiration. I am looking forward to his next projects.
PS Looks like SnowDrop has been dragged into the controversy. JTBC has just released a statement. The story has nothing to do with the pro democracy movement. So historical distortion isn’t going to be a problem. So I guess all the whispers going around about the possible plot weren’t entirely accurate.
https://www.soompi.com/article/1461807wpp/jtbc-releases-new-statement-denying-possibility-of-historical-distortion-in-upcoming-drama-snowdrop
Thanks for the update, nrllee.
Do you mind ferreting out the list of issues for clarification, too? There was an individual or a group that listed the potential issues with the kdrama and sent the list to the production team for clarification.
Thanks. 🙂💐💐
I want to see if JTBC answered all of them.
That list was a good because it set a rudimentary boundary between what’s acceptable and unacceptable for the group. It was also good of JTBC to answer these concerns instead of sweeping them under the rug. The people can’t complain later on that their objections were ignored.
Setting a story during any of these hot-button historical events is understandably tricky. It’s not enough that the writers do their research well. They also need an outside consultant to read the script and provide an impartial feedback.
It’s just like hiring a medical expert as consultant when filming a medical drama. But this time, it’s a historian as a consultant.
The other reason I think JTBC should face this issue head-on is that the lead actors don’t have the clout of an A-lister in Korean entertainment.
Thanks for the information and opportunity for discussion. I agree with @OldAmericanLady.
I support a person’s right to complain about or boycott a drama/film thay they feel is wrong, but when they start attacking people who have no involvement with the specific production and other dramas that haven’t even aired yet, it feels more like a mob witch hunt instead of a peaceful protest.
The implications for the stifling of artistic creativity are what worries me.
I don’t think it is inappropriate for international fans to have an opinion about what happened. And I don’t feel that it is inappropriate for the fans of this drama to want to see the drama continue, or disagree with the cancellation. Of course they are disappointed. I do think that there is better understanding now after some more info was published from Int fans about why it happened, even if they do not agree.
I feel bad for JDY that he had to make this apology. I feel that he should not have had to make an apology for taking a role in this drama. The person who caused the things people are upset about is the writer and he should take the responsibility. JDY and the other actors shouldn’t be blamed.
Which brings me to the biggest question I still have about this whole incident. It’s obvious that everything could have been avoided if the drama had a Fictional setting. Why did the writer deliberately choose to set the drama using real history and actual historical figures? How was that key to the plot or themes of this zombie drama? The writer does not address this in his statement, so we will never know, I guess. From his statement here, the only conclusion I can draw was that it wasn’t super important or key to his script, so why risk people getting upset? Why risk possible cancellation again? It’s not like he didn’t know about the sensitive nature of using a setting and characters from real history because of what happened during Mr. Queen, which he acknowledges in his statement. In my mind, he and the producer are to blame for what happened and they should be the ones to take the criticism and the fallout from the public.
I’ll be interested to see what happens to this writer. Someone at another forum mentioned that Dr. Prisoner 2 was supposed to be released this year, but I wonder if that will happen now.
I’ll answer you on the blog.
@packmule3
I haven’t been following the accusations in detail. But here’s what I have dug up. The biggest problem is that a lot of the accusations are based on hearsay. It’s not like JE where the drama screened the controversial episodes for all to see. But given the whole uproar, I would say even if SD were to finish filming and screen, the public would be going through the drama with a fine toothed comb to nitpick? And as a production you would start to wonder if it was really worth the effort because you are already starting on the back foot when it comes to delivering the message that was originally intended. 🤔
Sequence of events
1. JE controversy ripple effect which call into question Mr Q and SnowDrop
2. Murmurings online (speculative because the character briefs and drama synopsis have been brief (leaked?) and Netizens started to conjure stories about what the plot could be and how the characters would be portrayed)
3. JTBC releases 1st statement 26Mar to address these murmurs. It was a very general response.
4. Netizens incensed by the brevity of the statement and the fact that it was a “black comedy”? To them there was nothing “comedic” about 1987. I guess they felt JTBC weren’t hearing them? And just brushed them off as alarmist?
5. One Netizen writes a petition on the President’s official website. Which garners over 100,000 signatures.
6. JTBC issues a 2nd statement 30 Mar with more details about the plot and addressing the concerns.
I have copied and pasted some of the sources about the issues in a Google doc. It’s heavily reliant on subbers and reporters’ take on the issues.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EIDiG5iEjGTmqOifqnzYKZ0Np9EkpthhlMAtgQduPP8/
JTBC said it’s black comedy? an uprising, a historical event in SK where comedy was the least in people’s mind, this being made as a black comedy? Seriously? This answer is like them justifying a comical version of massacre in Gwangju in 1980. 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
@miracle23 Sky Castle was black comedy. That was her first script. I think the writer likes black comedy. Sky Castle was actually very dark. A satirical work at the extraordinary lengths parents go through to get their child into the coveted University degrees. How it’s all tied into the shame culture and what constitutes “success” in Asian cultures. It would be interesting to see if her work on SD goes ahead in spite of all the bad rap. I think they are still filming. I don’t think it was her intent to bring up the student uprising but the fact that it’s set in 1987, and she used an activist’s name for the FL (which she has now altered), has those elements of spies and the NPA…it’s bound to raise questions. It’s a risky undertaking given the precedent set by JE. If sponsors start to pull out, chances are the story will never see the light of day. Everyone is on edge right now during the pandemic. It feels like there’s a growing unrest in the people (not just in Korea but worldwide) who are just itching to latch onto a “cause” to voice an opinion which they feel has been repressed/suppressed in the past. All that pent up frustration and anger with no where to go (due to the pandemic) is redirected to these “causes”.
Difference is sky castle is not about real historical event🤧 it is more on exposing culture of the riches, the school bullies i.e. the usual kdrama plots,in a dark comedy style.
I noticed shin pd did include the student uprising (?), a bit of it in r1988. Shinlee likes to include real events in their dramas. They seems to pick years with such big events happening and they kinda report a bit on those events i.e. the mall collapse in r94.
Mr. Sunshine had similar controversy with regard to the Japanese elements written into the drama. So writer KES rewrote the related plots/characters and changed them into fictional. Writers really have to be careful if they are writing and/or promoting a drama as based on real life historical figures or facts. They should have expected that any departure from the historical facts will be pointed out by viewers.
Yes @miracle23. Bora was part of the student led movement? I remember because her dad was angry at her for joining the movement. I think given the heightened sensitivities right now, it may not be a good time to tread so close to the edge of controversy. And just steer clear with the usual KDrama fare. It does hamper creativity somewhat because it means writers will just keep churning out the same old same old.
I think SD is the same. From what JTBC outlined in their second statement about what the story was really about, it didn’t really touch on the riots at all. It was just the backdrop? Who knows. Like I said, everyone is speculating because of the leaked synopsis. There’s no real hard evidence. Unlike JE where the episodes were screened and the people watching were incensed. Here the public is calling the drama out without having seen it. Guess we will see if the drama is going to continue or not.
@nrllee and @Miracle, Good points all but here’s a crazy problem. History is constantly being revised. Is there a set version of South Kkrean history? Probably the horrors and privation felt mostvrecently by the citizens furing the Japanese occupation and allof the oppressive dictatirships thst happened until Korea had a soft revolution. So I really think that the writers have to be especially careful even with the use of fictional characters. That’s why all of these dramas have disclaimers first in the title cards.
Another thing is that in totalitarian countries, hidtory grts set in stone until the next dictator comes in. Then there are quick revisions. I’d love to know what Mr. Kim in North Korea propagandizes. I know, having read some articles and watched news programs that much of their history based on a cult of personality starting with his father. Mao’s China and the cultural revolutioncome to mind too.
The cautionary tale in all of this no matter what country/culture you’re dealing with, attempts to suppress art/media is a slippery slope. Even in our democracies, we are a few steps away from totalitarianism and dtate sponsored censorship. Unfortunately, to use history that we have seenin film,book burning and art exhibits deemed dirty can happen even inthe most “civilized” countries.Socia,ist realism anyone? And in the states we seeit in the culture wars (on all sides of the po,itical fence). To be honest, I have no ral anseers to this. And rven inthe current world, who knows whether a percentage of the netizens complaining weren’t just bots.
Hi Packmule,
I really think JDY apology letter sounds very sincere and genuine so I was checking knetz reaction to it and it seems that in general it’s well received and I’m glad for JDY.
From what I’m reading and seeing, giventhe discussion of Joseon Exorcist and Mr. Queen, The fallout for bith dramas has been different. Joseon Exircist is done and dead. Mr. Queenhas been pulled from some streamers but exists in others. Shin Hye-sun has weathered thevstorm of her comment and continues to be a spokesperson for the cosmetic mask company and has been givena suspense movie offer. JDY’s apology was well-received. His career is safe. The what seems to be avulture war going on between China and Korea continues. China is now claiming kimchi and hanboks as theirs. And China is continuing the ecknomic war with the west (where it has been severely criticized for its treatment of ethnic minorities like the Uyghers) by having its major stars renounce their paid product endorsements. I am pretty sure that this was not voluntary.So there is a lot of subtext to the various brouhahas occurring and we see how thi industry seeks to cut its losses. And politically South Korea hasbeen in a precarious position from what seems like time immemorial with neighbors that do not have her best interest at heart. And to make matters worse, it is having an environmentalcrisis with major dust storms occurring during the pandemic.
What are lessons learned. Historicals arevfraught withnhidden booby traps. They should have fictional characters when not being actual biographies. Foreign financing also presents a trap. Product placementbis tricky business. Any staff member attached to productions but especially the actors(main and secondary players) havd to be careful during publicity tours and pribably be prescripted in ordervto make the most neutral statements. Perhaps they just need to say they wanted to work with the other actors and directors and to ask their fans to love the drama. And, of course,they should use the line thst they’remlacking and hope to be better actors inthrir roles and in the future. Aside, I finally am getting why Korean performers makecsuch humble statements when they make award acceptance speeches. There are so many pressures that we know nothing about. And this entire episode has been a learning curve-my views on fairness would not translate in Korea.