NeenSpell

I don't know about the tea ceremony, BUT with the square-topped crown, the 9 bead strand is from the Joseon era, and the 11 bead strand is from the time of the Korean Empire, and the same thing with the chant (which was another sticking point). There are links in my 2 'deep dive' posts found in theses comments, of which 2 are from Korean-based outlets,

Is S.K. going to do the same ridiculous thing that is going on here in the United States by the current administration? …namely, sanitizing/changing history because you don’t like the optics of it?!

And actually, if a drama does take place during Joseon times, doesn’t it make more sense to stick with traditions from that time, rather than introduce a ceremony tradition from the very short-lived, subsequent Korean Empire, because it is thought that it reflects badly in current times?

OMG this is ridiculous! Is everything borrowed from and related related to the Joseon Dynasty ivestiture (cornation ) ceremony ‘they’ dont like going to be deleted from all dramas?! History is history, and these are DRAMAS, NOT historical documentaries!

1. yes
2. yes
3. not too much
4. yes
5. more like infuriating
5(6). no

Find my 2 comments here to learn about the controversy.

Part 2 of 2

An even deeper dive into the controversy...

(It you open in an external browser, the page can be translated into English.)
http://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/006/0000135880

About China's Northeast Project mentioned in the Naver article above, and its significance to the controversy -
https://www.google.com/search?q=the+Northeast+Project%27s+involvement+with+the+controversy+about+Korean+drama+perfect+crown+aka+21st+wife+prince%27s+wife

Also, apparently "because the series received government production funding from the Korea Creative Content Agency, the controversy triggered public outcry regarding the influence of Chinese cultural aesthetics in Korean historical adaptations and the use of public funds for such projects."

A petition to remove the drama was submitted to the South Korean National Assembly. It accuses the drama of historical distortion and cultural insensitivity portraying a modern Korean royal family using customs associated with Chinese tributary states (i.e. the Joseon Dynasty). The petition reached the threshold of 50,000 signatures, so it will go to review by a National Assembly standing committee.

Based this, I wonder if this would not be as much of an issue if the Production had not received government funding?

The problem is there was a petition which reached its number of signatures to required for it go to the National Committe review and the drama could potentially be removed from all platforms.

I was curious about it and decided to look into all of it further.

But the problem is that it was NOT a mistake in historical accuracy; find my comment for more info

I was curious about the controversy and did a deep dive. Find my comment here.

Part 1 of 2
Deep dive into the controversy surrounding Perfect Crown ...

I do sympathize with the Korean people and the historical struggles of their country... but is the outrage really about alleged historical/cultural misappropriation, distortion, and/or insensitivity, or is it an attempt at cancel culture?

First and foremost, this is presented as a FICTIONAL DRAMA. It is a fantacy, NOT a historically accurate documentry based on history. At the beginning of each episode there is a comprehensive disclaimer stating, ""This drama is a work of fiction. Any names of places, characters, organizations, or events depicted herein bear no resemblance to reality.""

This all has to do with the investiture / coronation ceremony customs (and their significance) during the Joseon Dynasty (ruled by a King) lasting 518 yrs which had a hierarchical tributary relationship with Imperial China (under both the Ming and Qing dynasties) for most of its existence VS. the subsequent short-lived Korean Empire (ruled by Emperor) lasting only 13 yrs, and which was an attempt to exert their sovereignty.

Perfect Crown is explicitly set in a fictional, modern ""Republic of Korea"" and has a King (who wears a red robe) rather than an Emperor (who'd wear a yellow robe). So the precursor was clearly the Joseon Dynasty and NOT the Korean Empire, as all the investiture customs were borrowed from it. And this seems to be where the outrage comes from. But certainly it is, and should be, the Production's prerogative to make this choice. Other key differences -
https://www.google.com/search?q=the+difference+in+the+investiture+ceremony+between+the+king+in+the+Joseon+dynasty+and+the+Emperor+of+the+Korean+Empire

Defense rebuttal by Korea's "Media Today" -
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DmH97EnGz/

If this drama is removed because of the accusations, it would set a VERY dangerous precedent!

In case you were also wondering ... additional contextual info re Joseon Dynasty or Kingdom and the Korean Empire -
https://www.google.com/search?q=joseon+dynasty+vs+korean+empire

https://www.google.com/search?q=joseon+kingdom+vs+korean+empire

Struggling watching and am episode 5 debating about whether to continue it or not. Plus there is just too damn much SHOUTING! This review convinced me to drop it.

Wasn't this a DRAMA not a documentary?! Lots of dramas, and movies, are loosely, sometimes very loosely, based on historical events.

You really ought to mark this as containing spoilers.

I had a hard time watching UTQU b/c of the FL's obvious plastic surgery, especially her lips (quack quack). I intially dropped it, but went back and watched it for MSM.

Moon Sang Min is an outstanding actor! And cute to boot. Definately check out some of his other works, including the newly release movie, Pavane.

Soto Fukushi's (Hiro) eyes remind me of Kim You Jung's eyes.

Love a good sageuk!

Daebak sageuk, hajiman jinja?!
I agree with you, i too loved this one, and... BUT we didn't get to see them kiss... not even once?!!! 😁