The upcoming drama The First Night With the Duke, starring Ok Taecyeon and Seohyun, is facing serious trouble after damaging a historical site during filming. A civilian has filed a police complaint, demanding strict action, even after the broadcasting network KBS issued an apology.
The Complaint and Allegations
A person, identified as Mr. A, filed a civil complaint with the Andong Police Station on January 3. He accused KBS of breaking the National Heritage Act. Mr. A stated through the Citizens’ Petition Center that while KBS is talking about fixing the damage after an initial complaint by architect Min Seo Hong, the damage itself is against the law.
Mr. A emphasized that this is a serious crime by KBS, a public broadcasting station funded by citizens’ fees. He said that it’s unacceptable for KBS to neglect its duty to protect cultural heritage and damage these important sites for commercial gain. The police are now looking into the complaint and will begin an investigation.
Initial Incident and Public Reaction
On January 2, architect Min Seo Hong posted on Facebook about witnessing the drama crew filming at the Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy in Andong, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He claimed that the crew was nailing things into the wooden exterior of the site. He also said that when he protested, the crew got angry. He shared photos to support his claims.
“I asked the staff, ‘Is it okay to damage cultural assets like that?’ but the staff responded as if they were annoyed, ‘We’ve already received permission from Andong City,’ and ‘If you have any questions, why don’t you just ask the city hall?’”
This caused a lot of public anger. The production stopped filming, and KBS released a public apology.
“We are currently working to fully understand the details of the incident and are discussing the best possible methods for restoration,” the broadcasting network stated.
Despite the apology, the legal action shows the seriousness of the situation.
Korean tv series production teams prioritize filming above all else. For instance, a KBS drama crew once drove iron nails into one of Joseon‘s educational institutions, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, claiming it was necessary for their shoot. pic.twitter.com/ift89QaRlc
The police are now reviewing the complaint filed by Mr. A and will conduct a full investigation. This adds another layer of complexity to the situation for the drama’s production team and KBS. The focus is now on the legal process and the potential consequences for the damage caused to the heritage site.
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