Controversy surrounding the subject matter of productions has once again targeted the actors involved. Following backlash against Yoo Hae-jin for his role in 'Assassins,' the SBS drama 'Doctor X: The Era of the White Mafia' has faced criticism after addressing the victims of the Gwangju Uprising, leading to protests on Kim Ji-won's Instagram and a petition in the National Assembly calling for the show's suspension.
In the sixth episode of 'Doctor X,' which aired on October 24, a character named Oh Sang-beom, portrayed by Ha Sung-kwang, appears as a patient who was shot in the head during the 1980 Gwangju uprising. He has suffered from seizures and hallucinations for 46 years due to bullet fragments lodged in his brain. In the latter part of the episode, a fictional character resembling former President Chun Doo-hwan is transported to the same hospital.
Immediately following the broadcast, Kim Ji-won's Instagram comments section was flooded with remarks such as, "Why is the Gwangju incident being mentioned here? I just want to watch a refreshing drama," and "Goodbye, 5.18 supporters." Some comments questioned her participation in what they deemed a leftist drama. However, there were also replies defending her.
A petition titled 'Petition for the Suspension of SBS Doctor X' has been posted on the National Assembly's public petition board. The petitioner argues that the addition of historical elements not present in the original Japanese drama appears to reflect a specific political stance, demanding verification of the production process and the suspension of the broadcast, as well as calling for the production team to testify before the National Assembly. The petition garnered the required 100 signatures within a day, and to be referred to the standing committee, it needs 50,000 signatures within 30 days of being made public.
Previously, Yoo Hae-jin faced protests on October 4, when around 50 members of conservative groups, including the New Right Federation and Bellado, gathered outside his home in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, demanding the cessation of 'Assassins' screenings and an apology. Threatening remarks also surfaced in conservative online communities, prompting police to enhance security measures around his residence, including the provision of a smartwatch. These measures were later lifted at the actor's request.
Both cases illustrate how disagreements over the subject matter of productions have shifted from critique and discussion to targeting individual actors. The Gwangju Uprising was designated a national memorial day in 1997, and that same year, the Supreme Court sentenced former President Chun Doo-hwan to life imprisonment for charges of rebellion and insurrection. Article 21 of the Constitution prohibits censorship or licensing of the press and publications, and the content of broadcasts is reviewed by the Korea Communications Standards Commission after airing.
Lee Ok-kyu, the chief producer at Studio S, posted a drama poster on social media on the day of the broadcast with the caption 'no fear.' As of the afternoon of October 25, SBS and the production team had not issued an official statement. The sixth episode of 'Doctor X' achieved a viewership rating of 19.5%, a 2.0 percentage point increase from the previous episode, marking its highest rating to date, while 'Assassins' surpassed 3 million viewers amid ongoing protests.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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