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Posted by Sophie-Ha Thursday, October 6, 2022

Disney+ Korea CEO apologizes for the 'Snowdrop' controversy

AKP STAFF

Disney+ Korea CEO Kim So Yeon apologized for the company's passive response to the past controversy involving the drama 'Snowdrop' on allegations of distorting history earlier this year.

The Disney+ Korea CEO attended the state audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism held at the National Assembly on October 5. During the audit, Democratic Party Rep. Kim Yun Deok asked, "How was Disney+'s response when viewers criticized 'Snowdrop'?" CEO Kim So Yeon responded, "I am fully aware there were misunderstandings, and there were various opinions. Through the drama, we were able to understand the impact Disney+ has as a platform and the impact it can have on viewers. We will do our best to prepare more carefully and meticulously," apologizing for the past controversy.

Rep. Kim Yun Deok said, "Please think about the pursuit of the value of Disney+. You, the CEO, are a company woman but you are also Korean. We ask that you make every effort so that Disney+ can coexist while preserving our culture."

Earlier this year, 'Snowdrop,' which began airing at the end of last year, was embroiled in a controversy over the distortion of history. The drama was accused of "romanticizing" the tortures and murders of student protestors. Many also found not only the male lead character's backstory problematic, but the fact that the second male lead/love interest is a member of the National Intelligence Service, also controversial. 

In response, the production team of 'Snowdrop' made an official statement stating that the accusations were untrue and that the storyline that was leaked online before the drama aired was not true. But this further provoked the anger of Korean netizens and received more backlash from viewers.

The story of 'Snow Drop' is set in 1987, an extremely important year in real South Korean history. The year was marked by countless protests led by university students demanding fair democratic elections. Numerous university students endured oppression by the National Intelligence (highly controlled by the dictatorship at the time) and sacrificed their lives. In June 1987, South Korea held its first "officially democratic" presidential elections. The student protests of 1987 are known to have "paved the way for South Korea's democracy."

The drama finished airing on January 30 of this year and was streamed through Disney+.

In response to the apology from the CEO of Disney+ Korea, many netizens wondered why it has taken so long to apologize and commented, "Why is she apologizing now?" "I don't know why they're apologizing so late," "It's too late, lol," "I don't think anyone cares about her apology now since it's too late," "She's apologizing now?" "They aired it and streamed everything already but now they're apologizing?" "They didn't really do anything and just went ahead with airing the drama despite so many Korean people being so angry. And now they're apologizing?" and "Does she not know it's too late to apologize? lol."

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generalization1
generalization1407 pts Thursday, October 6, 2022 1
Thursday, October 6, 2022

Can't wait for all the non-Koreans to lecture us on why this controversy of distorted Korean historical events was invalid

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didolaments
didolaments157 pts Thursday, October 6, 2022 0
Thursday, October 6, 2022

A very good demonstration of 'it is better to ask forgiveness than permission' lol

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