The lead actors of the hit Netflix K-drama Perfect Crown are publicly apologizing after facing heavy criticism for historical inaccuracies in the show’s final episodes. IU (Lee Ji-eun) and Byeon Woo Seok both released apology statements on May 18, 2026, expressing deep regret for not properly reviewing the historical context of their drama.
The controversy erupted following episode 11 of the 12-episode series, which aired its finale on May 16. The drama, set in an alternate universe where modern-day Korea remains a constitutional monarchy, follows a contract marriage between Byeon Woo Seok’s character, Grand Prince Ian, and IU’s character, Seong Hui Ju. While the show achieved its highest ratings of 13.8% for the final episode, the attention quickly shifted from the romance to criticism over how the production handled traditional Korean royal ceremonies.
Specific Scenes That Sparked the Backlash
Viewers and history experts pointed out two major issues in the coronation scene from episode 11. The first involved the term used during the ceremony. Instead of chanting “Manse,” which historically represents a wish for a long reign of an independent sovereign, the drama used the term “Cheonse” (meaning a thousand years), which was traditionally used for vassal states or lower-ranking rulers. This distinction carries significant weight in Korean history, particularly given the nation’s complex past with Chinese influence during the Joseon Dynasty.
The second issue involved the crown worn by Byeon Woo Seok’s character. The production used a headpiece called “guryumyeonryugwan,” a nine-tasseled crown associated with Chinese subjects or lower-rank rulers. The correct headpiece for an independent king would have been the “shipimyeonryugwan,” the twelve-tasseled crown representing full sovereignty and independence.
Additional criticism targeted a tea ceremony scene where characters IU and Kong Seung-yeon were shown following Chinese-style tea etiquette, placing tea utensils on a water receiver before pouring tea. Given the heightened cultural sensitivities surrounding historical disputes in East Asia, critics argued the drama inappropriately borrowed elements from another nation’s traditions.
Production Team’s First Response
The production crew issued an official apology on May 16 immediately following the finale. Their statement acknowledged the failure to properly examine how Joseon Dynasty protocols evolved historically. They admitted lacking the necessary effort to refine the show’s world-building and thoroughly scrutinize historical details.
The team promised to make corrections for future broadcasts. They confirmed plans to adjust the audio and subtitles for the problematic scenes in rebroadcasts, Video on Demand (VOD) services, and OTT streaming platforms. The production team stated they humbly accepted viewers’ criticism and took full responsibility for the oversight.
IU’s Full Apology Letter
IU took to Instagram on May 18 with a lengthy apology directed at viewers and fans. She admitted she failed to show proper responsibility as the lead actor and caused disappointment.
“Hello. This is IU, who played the role of Seong Hui Ju in ‘Perfect Crown.’ Over the past few days, I have carefully read each and every comment that many viewers left. As a lead actor of the drama, I feel I failed to show a responsible attitude and ended up causing great disappointment, and I am deeply sorry. Even now, my heart feels very heavy.”
The singer-actress did not make excuses for the situation. She explained that because this drama was meant to capture imagination rooted in Korea’s history and traditional beauty, she should have studied the script with greater care.
“Regarding the various issues of historical verification in the drama that viewers pointed out, I sincerely reflect and apologize — without excuse — for having gone into my acting without thinking more deeply about them. Because this was a drama in which it was important to convey imagination grounded in our own history and the traditional beauty of Korea, I should have read the script more carefully and studied more as an actor, but I did not, and I am ashamed of myself for that.”
IU concluded by thanking viewers who watched until the end and promised to approach future projects with a more cautious and thorough attitude.
Byeon Woo Seok’s Handwritten Apology
Byeon Woo Seok also shared his apology on Instagram, explaining he hesitated to speak over the weekend because he worried his words might cause additional harm.
“Over the weekend, I was worried and concerned that my words might end up causing further harm. With a heavy heart, I am writing this to those who have felt discomfort and concern because of the drama. In the process of filming and acting in this drama, I did not think enough about what the historical context and meaning contained in it were and how that might be received by the viewers.”
The actor admitted that through viewer feedback, he reflected on his actions and realized he must take greater responsibility not just for his performance but for the entire message and context of his projects.
“Through the words of the viewers, I have been led to reflect and look back on myself, and as an actor I have once again deeply taken to heart that I need to approach my work with greater responsibility — considering not only the acting but also the message and context carried by the production. I sincerely apologize. I will become an actor who takes on projects with an even more cautious and thoughtful attitude.”
IU’s Emotional Comments at Her Birthday Gathering
Before her official Instagram apology, IU had already addressed the controversy indirectly during a special birthday event. On May 16, she rented a theater at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul to watch the final episode of Perfect Crown with her fans.
At the event, IU became emotional and teared up while speaking to her fans. She stated that if the drama caused disappointment or showed inadequacies, it was truly her fault. She promised to take responsibility and do better, saying she must become someone her fans could be proud of. She acknowledged that every word viewers said had reason behind it and that she needed to accept all criticism. She asked fans to continue pointing out her shortcomings and pushing her to improve.
Co-Star Cancels Interviews Amid Fallout
The controversy expanded beyond the two leads. Actor Lee Jae-won, who played Seong Hui Ju’s older brother Seong Tae-ju in the drama, canceled his scheduled media interviews due to the backlash. His agency, Studio YooHoo, announced on May 18 that given the public sentiment and current situation surrounding the drama, proceeding with personal interviews would be inappropriate and potentially burdensome for the actor.
The agency stated that Lee Jae-won, as a member of the production team, was also reflecting deeply on the situation and requested understanding from the press for the cancellation.
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Why Viewers Reacted So Strongly
The controversy struck a nerve with Korean viewers because of the sensitive historical context. During the Joseon Dynasty, Korean rulers initially paid tribute to China but ceased doing so after China’s defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War, when Korea became a sovereign empire in 1897. The use of vassal-state terminology in a drama depicting an independent constitutional monarchy felt particularly inappropriate to many viewers.
Critics also connected the controversy to ongoing historical disputes, making the portrayal of Korean sovereignty an especially sensitive topic. While Perfect Crown is a fictional alternate-universe story, viewers argued that productions drawing from Korean history still carry responsibility for accurate representations of cultural symbols.
Perfect Crown is available for streaming on Netflix in multiple regions including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and globally.
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