March 22 (2021-03-22) – March 23, 2021 (2021-03-23)
Joseon Exorcist (Korean: 조선구마사) is a South Koreanhistorical-supernatural horror television series. The series, directed by Shin Kyung-soo and written by Park Gye-ok, stars Jang Dong-yoon, Park Sung-hoon and Kam Woo-sung.[1] The series follows the fight of the royal family to protect people from the evil spirits, who use human frailties to demolish Joseon. The first two episodes aired on SBS TV on March 22 and 23, 2021, at 22:00 (KST)[2]
before being canceled due to historical inaccuracies and Chinese props present in the series that resulted in backlash from many Korean viewers.[3]
Synopsis
The series follows the story of King Taejong and his two sons, Prince Chungnyung and Prince Yangnyeong, how they fight the evil spirits who came alive and must be exorcised to save Joseon. The founding rulers of Joseon have taken help of the demons and the monsters to overthrow Goryeo. Later the undead return to target the royal family.
On November 23, 2020, filming was halted after it was reported that a member of the cast tested positive for COVID-19. Leading actors self-isolated for precaution.[16]Jang Dong-yoon was injured after falling off a horse while filming on December 29.[17] On February 26, 2021 it was reported that Lee Yu-bi injured her ligament while shooting for the drama.[18]
Controversy and cancellation
After the airing of the first two episodes, many viewers criticized the content of the series for historical inaccuracies. Korean and Chinese viewers were angered over the usage of Chinese-style props for a show set during the Joseon dynasty.[19] A scene in the first episode depicted King Taejong slaughtering innocent villagers after having a hallucination of his deceased father, King Taejo. There was no historical basis for such an incident.[20] And Prince Chungnyung (Sejong the Great) is treated like a servant by an interpreter (with father John) from China.[21] The Jeonju Lee Royal Family Association, made up of descendants of Joseon’s royal family, criticized the series for its depiction of King Taejong, Prince Yangnyeong, and Prince Chungnyeong, and called for immediate cancellation of the show.[22] Over 216,000 people also petitioned the Blue House to cancel the show.[23][24] More than 3,900 complaints were sent to the Korea Communications Standards Commission concerning the television show.[25] On March 24, 2021, the production company and the broadcaster SBS apologized for the historical inaccuracies. They promised to remove the controversial portions and initially said that they would take a break for one week to change the content.[26][27] Due to the public backlash, corporate sponsors, such as Samsung Electronics and LG Household & Health Care, pulled their ads and cut their ties with the show.[19][28] Local governments also withdrew their support for the production.[29] On March 26, 2021, SBS announced that the show was canceled after the first two episodes due to the intense public backlash and the withdrawal of support from corporate sponsors and local governments.[30][31][3][32]
Petition to bring the series to online streaming platforms
It was reported that the international fans of the drama are petitioning for Joseon Exorcist to be broadcast on online streaming platforms like Netflix, iQIYI and Viu.[33][34][35]
Viewership
Joseon Exorcist : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
Season
Episode number
Average
1
2
1
1.751
1.294
1.523
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[36]
^Sujeong, Ha (February 18, 2021). "장동윤, 악령이 삼킨 조선·백성 구하는 충녕대군..첫 스틸 공개(조선구마사)" [Jang Dong-yoon, Chungnyeong Daegun to save Joseon and people swallowed by evil spirits.. First steel release (Chosun-gu Masa)]. Chosun. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
^Oh, Soo-jung (March 17, 2021). "'조선구마사' 이유비 "작품의 포인트? 박성훈과 어른 사랑"" ['Joseongu Masa' Lee Yoo-bi "Point of work? Park Sung-hoon and adult love"]. X-Sports News.
^"[단독] 금새록, '조선구마사' 합류…장동윤x이유비와 호흡" [[Exclusive] Geum Sae-rok joins'Chosun-gu Masa' Jang Dong-yoon x Lee Yu-bi and breathing]. Chosun. September 23, 2020.
^Yoon, Seong-yeol (January 27, 2021). "민성욱, SBS '조선구마사' 출연..박서방役[공식]" [Min Sung-wook appeared on SBS' Chosungu Masa'.. Park Seo-bang [Official]]. Star News. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
^Hyun-rok, Kim (November 18, 2020). "'조선구마사' 감우성 "재미와 활력 선사하는 작품 위해 노력할 것"" [Gam Woo-sung confirmed to appear in'Chosun-gu Masa'... Sageuk comeback in 10 years [Official]]. SpotV News.
^Kim, Soo-hyun (November 23, 2020). ""발칵 뒤집힌 연예계"…보조출연자 잇달아 확진→조승우·장동윤·권유리도 '올스톱'" [“The entertainment industry is flipped over”… Auxiliary performers confirmed one after another → Seung-woo Jo, Dong-yoon Jang, and Yuri Kwon are'all-stop']. Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved November 24, 2020.
^Kim Myung-mi (February 26, 2021). "'조선구마사' 측 "이유비, 무릎 부딪혀 인대 손상…회복 전념"(공식입장)" ['Chosun-gu Massa' side “Lee Yu-bi, ligament damage due to knee bump… Commitment to recovery” (official position)]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
^Jo Yoo-kyung (March 25, 2021). "전주 이씨 종친회 "역사왜곡하는 '조선구마사' 방영 중지하라"" [Jeonju Lee Family Association “Stop broadcasting the history-distorting'Joseon Exorcist'”] (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
^"역사왜곡 동북공정 드라마 < **구마사 >의 즉각 방영중지를 요청합니다. > 대한민국 청와대" [We request that the broadcast of the history distorting Northeast Project Drama <**Exorcist> will be stopped immediately]. Office of the President (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
^Joo-yeon Joo (March 25, 2021). "모두 등 돌렸다…'조선구마사' 초유의 無광고 드라마 전락" [Everyone turned their backs... 'Joseongu Masa' is a first-rate, zero-advertising drama]. Kookmin Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved March 25, 2021.
^Kim Jin-seok (March 25, 2021). "[단독]'조선구마사' 결국 폐지… 'PD가 배우들에게 통보 중'" [[Exclusive]In the end, 'Joseon Exorcist' is cancelled... " PD is notifying the actors"]. Daily Sports (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
^Lee, Ga-young (March 25, 2021). "'역사 왜곡 논란' 조선구마사, 결국 방송 2회 만에 폐지 수순" ['History Distortion Controversy' In the end, Joseon Exorcist is cancelled after only two episodes]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved March 25, 2021.
