Ok Taecyeon and Seohyun’s Drama Faces Challenges: Lead Actress Injury and Cultural Heritage Controversy

Incident at Byeongsan Seowon: Filming Raises Concerns Over Cultural Heritage

On January 2, a concerned netizen brought to light an incident involving potential damage to Byeongsan Seowon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which reportedly occurred on December 30, 2024. The individual shared several photographs capturing staff engaged in the filming of a KBS drama at the historic site.

According to the netizen’s account, “I arrived at Byeongsan Seowon around 3 PM on December 30. To my surprise, I noticed approximately seven production vehicles belonging to KBS parked in close proximity. As I approached, a large number of crew members were actively working. It was only upon reaching the entrance that I realized the site was being utilized for filming. Given its significance as Historic Site No.260, entering felt uncomfortable.”

The First Night With the Duke Ok Taecyeon and Seohyun

The netizen further detailed a shocking discovery inside the site, where numerous props for the production were strewn about. Staff members were seen hammering nails into wooden pillars to hang decorative lanterns, and several already adorned Mandaeru Pavilion’s columns.

Upon questioning the crew regarding the appropriateness of their actions, the netizen was met with irritation. The staff claimed to have received permission from Andong-si, advising the netizen to verify this with local authorities.

Following the confrontation, the netizen reached out to Andong-si’s Cultural Heritage Department. An official confirmed that permission for filming had indeed been granted. However, when asked about the use of nails and its potential harm to the heritage site, the official expressed surprise and indicated that the installations would be promptly removed.

The situation escalated when the netizen returned to the Cultural Heritage Department the next day, only to discover that filming had proceeded as scheduled. Frustrated with the apparent lack of proactive measures, the netizen reported the situation to the associated broadcasting station and the Cultural Heritage Administration.

This incident underscores significant issues regarding the practices surrounding filming at cultural heritage sites. The netizen remarked, “It’s alarming to learn that even modern historical locations face alterations, such as walls or columns being dismantled for productions. Hammering even a few nails seems trivial yet requires immense caution, especially in traditional hanok homes, not to mention heritage sites.”

The netizen further questioned the appropriateness of permitting filming at such significant cultural locations, criticizing KBS for their apparent oversight. “It’s distressing to witness such a scenario unfolding during a drama production by a public broadcaster. This matter certainly cannot be overlooked,”they emphasized.

In response, KBS announced that they are “actively investigating the matter,”yet a definitive stance has yet to be communicated. Compounding these concerns, lead actress Seohyun has been in the spotlight due to a recent injury. Social media has been abuzz with images of Seohyun utilizing a cane at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards, held on December 31, 2024, raising alarms among her fans. Her agency reassured the public of her swift recovery.

In the storyline, Seohyun’s character finds herself unexpectedly sharing a night with Gyeongseong-gun, portrayed by Ok Taecyeon.

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