inger and actor IU, whose drama ‘“Perfect Crown” concluded with a peak viewership rating of 13.8%, was unable to smile brightly until the end.

IU held a group viewing event for the MBC weekend drama ‘“Perfect Crown” with fans at the CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul on the 16th, which coincided with her birthday.

After all screenings ended, IU addressed fans, saying, “I’ve been preparing for an album recently and the drama is nearing its end, so I think I’ve been feeling, ‘I need to do better. I need to take more responsibility and do better.'”

She continued, “I must do better for you, even if it’s just a little. If I disappoint you or show inadequacy, it’s truly my fault. I’m not making excuses—it’s absolutely true. I will take responsibility and do my best. I must become someone my fans, Yunae, can be proud of.”

“I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. If I had done better, things would have been different. As someone who receives your love, I will strive to improve. I won’t waste a single moment and will live meaningfully to become an IU who shows better results with greater responsibility,” she added.

“I’m still lacking in many ways, yet I’m grateful for your love and support. I believe every word you say has reason and must be accepted. If I fall short, please criticize me more, scold me, and push me. I’ll listen and work harder to become a better person,” she promised.

Finally, IU said, “I’m late in saying this, but I love you. I want to show a better side, but I’m sorry for my shortcomings. Thank you for giving me continuous opportunities and attention. Regardless, I’ll work harder and do better,” before her eyes welled up and she choked up. She then bowed deeply to her fans to convey her sincerity.

The MBC weekend drama ‘“Perfect Crown”’ (written by Yoo Ji-won, directed by Park Joon-hwa and Bae Hee-young, planned by Kang Dae-seon, produced by MBC and Kakao Entertainment) concluded on the 16th with a final episode viewership rating of 14.1% in the capital region, 13.8% nationwide, and 5.9% among viewers aged 20–54, setting a new record. It ranked first in Saturday programming with a peak of 16.1% (Nielsen Korea).

However, despite being hailed as one of this year’s most anticipated works, controversies erupted from the first episode over the acting skills of leads IU and Byeon Woo-seok. Criticism also arose over the weak storyline, with a palace fire scene repeated three times, unconvincing plot developments, and the lack of justification for the constitutional monarchy central to the drama.

After the 11th episode, debates over the “Northeast Project” spread. Issues included the use of “Cheonse” (a term for subjects under an emperor) instead of “Manse” (a term for independent nations) during Grand Prince Ian’s enthronement ceremony, and Grand Prince Ian wearing a “Guryu Myeongwan” (a crown for vassal lords) instead of a “Sibi Myeongwan” (a 12-jewel crown for emperors of independent nations).

Additionally, scenes involving Seong Hui-ju (IU) and Yoon Yi (Gong Seung-yeon) were criticized for following Chinese tea ceremony methods. Korean tea ceremonies involve placing a water bowl on a tray and pouring only drinking water, whereas the scene depicted a Chinese method with a water receiver and teapot.

In 1897, Emperor Gojong declared the Korean Empire and changed the national title to “Daehan Jeguk” (Great Korean Empire). Although ‘“Perfect Crown”’ is set in an alternate history where the empire splits after King Jeongjo, if it were an independent nation, the title “emperor” would have been appropriate, as in the Korean Empire. However, the drama’s use of titles implies Korea was a vassal state under Chinese rule—a critical historical error stemming from clumsy Joseon-era settings.

Netizens expressed concerns that depicting Korea as a vassal state might mislead people into viewing Korean history as subordinate to other nations. Some even questioned if scenes like Seong Hui-ju following Chinese tea ceremonies and rejecting hanboks were intentional attempts to disparage Korean history.

As controversies grew, the production team issued a formal apology on their official website, stating, “We sincerely apologize to viewers for the historical inaccuracies and world-building issues in ‘“Perfect Crown”.’ The production team failed to thoroughly review how Joseon-era protocols evolved.”

They added, “As a romance and alternate history drama, we should have carefully considered the intersection of fiction and historical context. We acknowledge our lack of effort in refining the world-building and will swiftly correct audio and subtitles in reruns, VOD, and OTT services. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience and will strive to produce works that meet viewers’ trust with greater responsibility.”

Ultimately, despite ending with record ratings, the drama exited amid bitterness over historical distortion.