Seohyun and Taecyeon’s Drama Sparks Backlash for Damaging UNESCO Site During Filming: Crew Issues Public Apology
KBS2’s new drama The First Night with the Duke has found itself embroiled in controversy following revelations that its production team caused damage to Byeongsan Seowon, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, during filming. At a press conference held at D-Cube City, Guro-gu, Seoul, on June 11, director Lee Woong-hee publicly apologized for the incident.
“I want to first express my sincere apologies for causing concern due to the cultural heritage damage incident during the production process,” said Director Lee, bowing his head before the press.
The incident occurred in December 2024 when filming props were affixed to the historic site using nails in ten different locations, including the iconic Mandaeru pavilion and its wooden beams (dongjaeboigi). This improper installation of equipment led to physical damage at one of Korea’s treasured architectural sites.
Director Lee acknowledged full responsibility, “It was entirely our fault. All footage filmed at the site has been discarded. We’ve completely revised our filming guidelines for cultural heritage sites and will monitor the damaged areas in consultation with experts.”
The cast also addressed the controversy. Lead actor Ok Taecyeon commented, “This incident served as a wake-up call for both the staff and the cast,” while co-star SNSD Seohyun added, “We must ensure that something like this never happens again on any filming set.”
The First Night with the Duke is a romantic fantasy drama that tells the story of a college student who finds herself trapped inside a romance novel. Despite the backlash, the series premiered on June 11 to a solid start, securing a 3.3% nationwide rating, according to Nielsen Korea.
As calls grow for stricter oversight when filming at cultural heritage sites, the production team’s apology and remedial actions mark a step toward accountability. However, the incident remains a cautionary tale about preserving cultural history amidst modern entertainment pursuits.
