Media suffer backlash for malicious press over 'Snowdrop' amid drama's rising ratings and positive reviews

Article: "That dog of a regime"... 'Seolganghwa' did not undermine the democratization movement 

Source: Media Today

Media are suffering backlash for their malicious press over 'Snowdrop.'

Last year, a petition was posted on the Blue House website that has surpassed over 350,000 signatures under basis that the drama "distorted history" and "undermined the democratization movement." The problem became serious as many media outlets clamored over the fact that the petition had received over "200,000 signatures" putting focus on the upcoming broadcast. 

Media also compared the drama to tvN's 'Crash Landing on You' that enjoyed box office success despite the fact that it explored the "two Koreas" theme however with a romantic comedy twist. 'Seolganghwa' on the other hand was viewed as an "obscure" genre that was not just a romance, but a comedy and period drama with added "heaviness" in the plot. 

As a result, politicians, sponsors and the public began cutting off the drama and many media outlets participated in the "cancel movement" with undue criticism. 

However, as the drama aired, despite the initial backlash, the drama began to enjoy rising ratings and positive reviews. This is because it became clear the drama did not undermine the democratization movement instead it appeared the drama aimed to convey the "tragedy of the times."

The government cannot start banning the airing of dramas on the ground of distorting history. Such regulations are difficult to find in the Broadcasting Act. Only post-deliberation is allowed through the Korea Communications Standards Commission. However, as these cases keep happening, drama producers are forced to fall into a swamp of unreasonable self-censorship and the damage is passed to the viewers. To avoid this cycle, media must be cautious about claims to ban a drama's airing.

1. [+551, -49] All the people that sh** on this drama claiming it was propaganda that undermined the democratization movement need to seriously reflect! It's nice to finally see an article making fair statements. I recommend everyone watches the drama themselves, you won't regret it. 
2. [+335, -23] 'Seolganghwa' is about the suffering of citizens because of military dictatorship, Ministry of Security and North Korea. Claims that it was anything otherwise is just wrong. 
3. [+270, -11] Ah, finally a normal article like this is coming out...this incident made me realize how terrifying the media and online communities are. Media kept writing about insignificant keyboard warriors cursing the drama...who's the real perpetrator and who's really distorting history here?
4. [+247, -8] Those ignorant netizens that instigated this witch hunt against the production team after leaking the plot of the drama need to really self-reflect. This goes to show there are idiots everywhere distorting history, this is the level of their brains..
5. [+122, -2] The media really needs to reflect. 'Seolganghwa' is a genre we haven't seen yet in dramas of the past because most dramas stay faithful to the same genre. You can tell the director put in great efforts to blend the genre with his directing skills. Jung Hae-in's transformation as the charismatic Su-ho is amazing to watch. Above all that, 'Seolganghwa' is drama with an important message. 
6. [+101, -1] Watching the drama made me realize the seriousness of this scandal. If they had cancelled the drama over this, it would've been hard for the producers and actors to come back after this. It's crazy that the public were misled with fake claims and misunderstood the drama. You can tell how much efforts the actors the producers put into the drama if you watch it. I hope more accurate articles like this get posted in the future. 
7. [+95, -1] It's horrifying how the fabricated articles spread everywhere and the public just accepted and agreed with those reporters without one ounce of doubt. 
8. [+78, -1] So many people claimed they bought off Disney Plus with this unreasonable scandal but once I watched it myself, I realized the different characters and positions created a constant tension that kept me glued to the drama. I have a feeling it's going to get even better as it continues to air..
9. [+65, -3] I personally think it's a very well-made drama.
10. [+60, -1] And to think that they filed petitions to cancel this drama before it even aired...this is the state of our country. Shouldn't the media have at least confirmed before criticizing the drama? And all those people that participated in the witch hunt...you should all be ashamed!
11. [+33, -0] It's a bit disappointing that such a well-made drama got boycotted. I heard the writer prepared for this for over 10 years? You can actually tell with the actual script and directing that they paid a lot of attention to the details. The public really needs to re-evaluate this drama. 
12. [+29, -1] The first normal article in a long time ㅋㅋ. Hul ~ so many actors, from Jisoo and Hae-in and the director who got cursed and images ruined over a drama that hadn't even aired. It's not like they can re-air the drama from the first episode...aigoo...so unfair...