The production team behind the MBC drama Perfect Crown has decided to remove the coronation scene that became the center of controversy over historical distortion. It is also making follow-up changes to the problematic scene in reruns, VOD, and OTT services.

On the 22nd, MBC said it would “delete the scene” in question, which featured Grand Prince I-an, played by Byeon Woo-seok, in episode 11 of the drama. The production team had previously said it would revise the audio and subtitles after the controversy surfaced, but as criticism intensified, it has now shifted to removing the scene altogether.

The problematic scene aired on the 15th. In the episode, courtiers shouted “cheonse” instead of “manse” to greet Grand Prince I-an after his ascension as the new king, and the depiction of the royal crown also drew criticism for failing to match historical protocol. Some viewers and history-related online communities argued that “even with the fictional setting of a constitutional monarchy, it lacked basic historical awareness.”

In response, the production team issued an official statement and said it had “failed to carefully examine how Joseon-era etiquette changed over time.” It also said it would move quickly to edit the scene out of reruns and replay services. Lead actors IU and Byeon Woo-seok each posted handwritten apologies, while director Park Joon-hwa also said in an interview that he was in tears and deeply felt responsible.

Set in a fictional world where South Korea is a 21st-century constitutional monarchy, Perfect Crown follows the romance between Seong Hui-ju, a chaebol heiress who is a commoner, and Grand Prince I-an, a royal who lives under strict constraints.

Based on a winning entry from the MBC Drama Script Contest, the series drew attention even before its premiere thanks to the combination of director Park Joon-hwa, who helmed What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim and Alchemy of Souls, along with IU and Byeon Woo-seok.