“Snowdrop,” the Korean drama starring Jung Hae-in and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, will start airing in December.
Korean TV channel JTBC released the first teaser poster for “Snowdrop” showing Jung Hae-in and Jisoo dancing together during an “open house” party.
According to JTBC, “Snowdrop” is set in Seoul in 1987 and tells the story of a desperate love that goes against the times of Soo-ho (Jung Hae-in), a student in a prestigious university who, covered in blood, suddenly goes into a women’s university dormitory.
Young Lo (Jisoo), a female college student hides and heals him in the midst of surveillance and crisis.
“Snowdrop” became controversial after it was accused by Korean netizens of glorifying the former Agency for National Security Planning, which was linked to the torture and killing of people.
A petition to stop the filming of “Snowdrop” was filed on the website of the Office of Korean President Moon Jae-in last March 26. The petition drew more than 220,000 signatures.
It claimed that despite the fact that it was proven that North Korea was not involved in the pro-democracy movement in South Korea, “Snowdrop” had a spy as the main character.
For Koreans, 1987 is an important year as this was when pro-democracy movements and rallies were held to condemn the killing and torture of a student activist and demand the holding of a direct presidential election.
“Snowdrop” drew controversy after a piece of information consisting of a combination of unfinished synopsis and character introduction was released online.
JTBC made clarifications about “Snowdrop” and said suspicions were added to the leaked information and non-factual information is being presented as true.
“‘Snowdrop’ is not a drama that deals with democratic movements. The setting in which male and female protagonists participate in or lead democratic movements does not exist anywhere in the script. Rather, a character who was unfairly oppressed and accused as a spy under the military regime in the 1980s appears,” said JTBC.
Even the name of Jisoo’s character became controversial. The original name of her character was Eun Young-cho, who, according to Korean netizens, reminded them of activist Cheon Young-cho. The character’s name was changed to Young Lo.
In response to the petition, the Blue House, or the presidential office, rejected the request to stop the filming and cancel the airing of the upcoming Korean drama “Snowdrop.”
The Blue House cited Article 4 of Korea’s Broadcasting Act which guarantees freedom and independence in relation to the programming of broadcasters, and stipulates that no regulation or interference other than in accordance with the law is allowed.
It added that direct government intervention in creative works can infringe on freedom of expression, so a cautious approach is required.
“The government respects the self-correction efforts and autonomous choices made by the private sector, including creators, producers, and audiences, for content that goes against public sentiment,” the Blue House stated.
However, the Blue House warned that “broadcasts that undermine the public responsibility of broadcasting, such as excessive distortion of history, or violate regulations, are subject to deliberation by the Korea Communications Standards Commission.”