KBS2’s newly-released drama The First Night with the Duke, starring 2PM’s Taecyeon and Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun, has found itself at the center of a major controversy. Though based on a beloved web novel and highly anticipated for its fantasy-romance plot, the series is now under police investigation following accusations that its production team caused physical damage to a UNESCO World Heritage site.
At the heart of the issue is Byeongsan Seowon, a historic 16th-century Confucian academy located in Andong, designated as a cultural heritage site of global significance. During the drama’s filming, the production team allegedly drilled nails directly into the wooden structure of the Seowon to mount props and equipment. This action, in direct violation of the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, led to structural harm that has since alarmed preservationists and heritage authorities.
The Cultural Heritage Administration conducted an internal review and concluded that three individuals from the production’s props department had indeed breached heritage laws. These individuals have now been referred to the prosecution, while the Seoul Metropolitan Police have begun a formal investigation into the case.
In response to the public backlash, the production swiftly relocated to a different site in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province. However, the damage had already been done—not just physically to Byeongsan Seowon, but also to the drama’s reputation and that of KBS. The public has criticized the production team’s apparent disregard for the cultural importance of their filming location, calling for greater accountability and caution in the industry.
Director Lee Woong Hee addressed the issue during a press conference held on June 11, the same day the drama premiered. He offered a formal apology, stating, “We deeply disappointed many people due to the cultural heritage damage incident at Byeongsan Seowon during the production process. I want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize. It was clearly our fault.” He went on to explain that KBS had discarded all footage shot at the heritage site and implemented new strict policies to prevent similar issues from happening again.
Despite efforts to rectify the situation, restoration of the damaged parts of Byeongsan Seowon remains on hold. Experts have advised that the wooden structure be observed over time to evaluate the full extent of the damage and determine the best approach for recovery. Meanwhile, the controversy continues to cast a shadow over what was expected to be one of the season’s most promising dramas.