Article: [Exclusive] Park Jong-cheol's side on Seolganghwa's espionage, "second assault on victims"
Source: No Cut News
Controversy over JTBC's new drama 'Seolganghwa (Snowdrop)' is continuing to grow.
On the 20th, a representative of the Park Jong-cheol Memorial Foundation told CBS No Cut News, "The three axes of state power, the Ministry of Public Security, security headquarters and security officer carried out the government's violence against the people. This wasn't just one's person's account of the event. The violence was carried out systematically. Torture and violence were used as a means to control by instilling fear in people's daily lives."
"Violence and torture trample on a person's dignity and create a sense of fear and humiliation. These scars will never heal. I can't even talk about the details of the victims for fear of them recalling a fragment of those terrifying memories and inducing more suffering."
"First off, the democratization movement and National Security Agency (NSA) should not have been linked with spies. In fact, during the military dictatorship, many victims were subjected to violence and torture. They were falsely accused of being spies, ruining their lives and many made extreme choices (suicide) and some were executed. The drama is trying to rationalize and justify these crimes by beautifying the NSA and using a female college student who hides a spy under the guise of "activism."
He added, "It's surprising that a broadcasting company is using a "public good" to rationalize state violence towards democratization movement. They're trying to dress up such a dark event with a romance, while using 'Sol-ah, Green Sol-ah' as background music for a scene involving a spy protagonist of the NSA. This is something that actually happened in our history so to distort it like that is a huge offense and a second assault on victims."
"Everyone in the drama needs to seriously self-reflect. The reason we talk about the past is to discover the truth so that we do not repeat the violence from our past history."
Park Jeong-chul was a university student who died after being assaulted, electrocuted and tortured by water on January 14, 1987 in the Security Headquarters, Namyeong-dong Anti-Communist Office in Room 509. The police tried to cover up the incident saying "he fell and died" however his torture and murder eventually became the fuse for the June Democratic Uprising.
Now, 34 years after his death, 'Snowdrop' is being accused of distorting history with its portrayal of the National Security Agency and beautification of spies in the drama.
Meanwhile, a Blue House petition asking to cancel airing of the drama has already surpassed 300,000 signatures, only two days after it was posted.
- [+3,452, -157] Anyone with a brain and a conscience would think first before writing a drama like this. How can you distort our history and denigrate democratization movement to this level while freely enjoying the freedom it gave you? The victims that were tortured are still alive and well, with their eyes wide open...is she crazy???
- [+1,640, -24] This is how scary the power of the media is. There are so many dramas that distort our history being aired as Korean content continues to trend all over the world. You have to think first to avoid causing harm to victims a second time. It isn't enough to be aware of the issue but then turn a blind eye under guise of "fiction." There are too many psychopaths that will turn a blind eye when money is involved.
- [+1,284, -40] Game over ㅋㅋㅋ ㅋㅋㅋ ㅋㅋㅋ ㅋㅋㅋ ㅋㅋㅋ
- [+287, -7] Isn't Jung Hae-in a direct descendant of Jung Yak-yong? How could he pick a drama like this??? Is he trying to paint over the faces of his ancestors?
- [+151, -2] The 'Snowdrop' writer, PD, production and actors should never come out after this!! Reflect on your actions!
- [+120, -2] No, this drama is more problematic than Joseon Exorcist? Even though the script was leaked in March all they did was change the female lead's name. They closed down the bulletin boards over the uproar but did nothing. Yes, Joseon Exorcist's food, etc. was controversial too but this whole script is a mess. Why did they continue filming this?
- [+93, -3] Hul ~ I'm a fan of Blackpink but this is just...aigoo...it's too sloppy. Jisoo herself needs to go back to the drawing board and learn acting first before taking on a lead role.
- [+56, -2] All the actors that chose to appear in this drama will have a scarlet letter tag for the rest of their lives!!! The level of ignorance is seriously too much!
- [+37, -2] Cancel this drama!!!!!
- [+24, -2] Apologize to the victims and abolish Seolganghwa!!!
- [+15, -0] Didn't Jisoo say she's a fan of Korean history?