KBS2's newly launched romantic fantasy drama The First Night with the Duke, starring Girls' Generation's Seohyun and actor Ok Taecyeon, is under fire after its production team damaged Byeongsan Seowon, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, during filming.
The show's director issued a public apology at a press conference on Wednesday.
"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 Woong-hee, bowing before reporters at D-Cube City in Seoul.
The damage reportedly occurred in December 2024, when production staff affixed filming props directly to parts of Byeongsan Seowon using nails.
At least 10 spots were impacted, including the historic Mandaeru pavilion and wooden structures known as dongjaeboigi."It was entirely our fault," Lee admitted.
"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."
Lead actor Ok Taecyeon also addressed the controversy. "This incident served as a wake-up call for both the staff and the cast," he said. Seohyun echoed the sentiment, saying, "We must ensure that something like this never happens again on any filming set."
Despite the backlash, The First Night with the Duke premiered on June 11 with a 3.3% nationwide viewership rating, according to Nielsen Korea.
The series tells the story of a college student who wakes up trapped inside a romance novel.
The production team, as well as conservation authorities, are reportedly in discussions with the Cultural Heritage Administration regarding restoration and potential penalties.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism online, with many calling for stricter regulations and oversight when filming at cultural heritage locations.
"This isn't just a filming mishap — it's a violation of cultural legacy," wrote one commenter on Naver. "Apologies are not enough."
KBS has not released an official corporate statement as of Thursday.
Byeongsan Seowon, located in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019.
The other Confucian academy was founded in the 16th century and is one of Korea's most important historic educational facilities.
As the public becomes more vocal, the debate concerning The First Night with the Duke is sparking industry-wide discussion of the tension between creative license and cultural accountability across the entertainment sector.
