hankyoreh

A still from "Joseon Exorcist" (provided by SBS)

In the wake of the early cancellation of the SBS series "Joseon Exorcist" over its historical distortions and use of Chinese-style props, opposition is building toward the construction of a "Korea-China Culture Town" in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province.

While some claim that anti-China sentiments are a factor behind the controversy, others caution against drawing connections between the two issues based solely on the "anti-China" element.

The controversy that led to "Joseon Exorcist" being pulled off the air after just two episodes was triggered by the use of Chinese-style props and costumes in the series, along with scenes showing characters eating Chinese dishes such as mooncakes and century eggs.

While the series was billed as a "historical fantasy," viewers were upset by the appearance of Chinese trappings in a drama ostensibly focused on the early Joseon period.

Many called for its cancellation, and a boycott of advertisers began to take shape. Troubled by this development, businesses eventually moved to pull their commercials.

Details also came to light about the series' writer having signed a contract with a Korean-Chinese joint venture. The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) reported receiving over 5,000 complaints about the show.

The problem is that with members of the public seething over a situation where "even TV series are taking their cues from China," the matter has spilled over to the Korea-China Culture Town project.

The Culture Town is a themed tourism destination that has been under development by a private enterprise since 2018 based on a business agreement with Gangwon Province. The controversy stems from an eruption of opinion opposing the construction of what people are calling a "Gangwon Chinatown."

On March 29, an internet user posted a message on the Blue House citizen petition page under the title "Cancel the Gangwon Province Chinatown construction."

"Not long ago, I was left feeling deeply angry and preyed upon when a writer affiliated with a Chinese company distorted Korean history with an incorrect story," the user wrote.

The user went on to direct a message to Gangwon Gov. Choi Moon-soon.

"I strongly oppose the construction of a Chinatown in the province at a time when I feel anxious that Korea's culture might be endangered by China's Northeast project," they wrote.

"I can't understand why we need to create a 'little China' in the Republic of Korea and provide a pretext for a Chinese cultural experience in this country," they added.

Even after Gangwon Province explained that the effort was a private venture and that it was only providing administrative support without any investment of the provincial budget, the post drew widespread support from internet users, with over 297,000 signatures as of April 1.

In their analyses of the situation, the media have remarked on the "intensifying anti-China sentiment in opposition to Beijing's cultural Northeast Project," commenting that "anti-China attitudes have reached a fever pitch."

Experts also pointed to "Joseon Exorcist" as a precipitating factor in an outpouring of frustration with China over its claims of originating such traditional Korean items as kimchi and hanbok.

In a telephone interview with the Hankyoreh, popular culture critic Ha Jae-geun observed, "There's been a growing sense of threat as China has provoked Korea with its claims about things like kimchi and hanbok."

"As this comes together with concerns that even the entertainment business could end up subordinated to China, it looks like there's a feeling of 'This has to stop now' taking change, Ha suggested.

But some analysts also cautioned against viewing developments simply through the lens of "anti-China sentiment." In particular, they called for looking at the viewers' displeasure with the TV series and opposition to the Korea-China Culture Town as separate issues.

"It's wrong to talk about the 'Joseon Exorcist' situation as being about 'anti-China sentiment,'" suggested popular culture critic Jeong Deok-hyeon.

"It should rightly be viewed as criticism of the producers for their failure to be rigorous with their research on what's supposed to be a historical series," he said.

Indeed, many of the criticisms directed at the series have been from people arguing that the producers should have paid more attention to historical accuracy in a show featuring characters who were actual people, such as Grand Prince Chungnyeong, who would eventually become King Sejong the Great.

A scene showing King Taejong slaughtering commoners after seeing his father's vision also sparked controversy over historical distortions.

"We need to individually determine the aspect of different issues related to China. It's dangerous for us to interpret the situation [with the Korea-China Cultural Town] as a case of being 'caught up in anti-China sentiment,'" Jeong suggested.

"The right approach is to seek out alternatives through cultural interchange so that we can correct the distortions," he advised.

Seol Dong-hoon, a professor of sociology at Jeonbuk National University, said, "While it is true that there is anti-China feeling [in Korea], the main reason 'Joseon Exorcist' was cancelled is because it was [historically] bogus."

"The criticisms of the Korea-China Culture Town project should be viewed as a separate issue," he added.

By Jang Pill-su, staff reporter

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