The production team for the upcoming Disney+ drama “The Remarried Empress“ has issued a formal apology after promotional images for the show featured a costume prop that closely resembled a Nazi medal. The controversy emerged from still cuts released on November 13, which showed actor Ju Ji Hoon wearing a uniform adorned with the problematic decoration. Following swift backlash from viewers on social media, production company Studio N acknowledged the oversight and promised to replace the image and implement stricter review processes.
The Source of the Controversy
On November 13, Disney+ released several promotional stills for its highly anticipated series, which is scheduled to premiere in the second half of next year. The images introduced the main cast, including Ju Ji Hoon in his role as Emperor Sovieshu. Shortly after the release, sharp-eyed viewers on online communities and social media platforms pointed out a specific issue with the actor’s costume.
A medal featured on Ju Ji Hoon’s uniform was identified as bearing a strong resemblance to the German Nazi 3rd Class Long Service Gold Medal. This observation quickly gained traction online, leading to significant public criticism and calls for the production to address the insensitive oversight. The specific medal in question is a recognized symbol of the Nazi regime, making its appearance in a fantasy drama particularly jarring and offensive to audiences.
The Official Apology and Response
Facing growing public discontent, Studio N, the drama’s production company, released an official statement on November 15 to address the controversy directly.
The statement expressed the company’s deep regret for the incident, stating, “We sincerely apologize for causing discomfort through our carelessness in reviewing the prop in question.” The company further confirmed that it was taking the matter seriously, adding, “We are deeply aware of the seriousness of this issue, and we will replace the problematic photo and take thorough measures to prevent a recurrence.”
In immediate action following the apology, Disney+ removed the controversial photo from its official social media accounts. Reports indicate that the production team is now considering whether to reshoot the entire scene where the prop appears or to edit out the medal in post-production.
About the Drama and Its Source Material
“The Remarried Empress” is a romance-fantasy drama based on a hugely popular Naver web novel and webtoon of the same name. The original webtoon has achieved remarkable global success, amassing approximately 2.6 billion cumulative views as of December 2024.
The story centers on Empress Navier of the Eastern Empire, a character described as the perfect empress, played by Shin Min Ah. After her husband, Emperor Sovieshu (Ju Ji Hoon), serves her divorce papers due to his infatuation with a runaway slave named Rashta (Lee Se Young), Navier does not protest. Instead, she requests permission to remarry, choosing Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom, played by Lee Jong Suk. The series follows the political and romantic intrigue that unfolds from this decision.
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A Common Industry Issue
This is not the first time a Korean drama has faced criticism for the use of props or set designs with historical and painful connotations. The incident highlights the critical importance of thorough prop research and review in television and film production, especially for content intended for a global audience. The prompt apology and commitment to change from the production team have been noted by the public as a necessary step.
The team’s pledge to implement more rigorous checks aims to prevent similar mistakes from occurring in the future, ensuring that the show’s rollout can proceed without further issues. As of now, the planned release window for “The Remarried Empress” on Disney+ remains the second half of next year.
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