Despite JTBC’s previous statement to clarify the rumors regarding “Snowdrop” after partial snippets of the script were leaked, the controversy surrounding the drama is growing even stronger.
In particular, netizens found an issue with the way JTBC described the drama as ‘dark comedy’ in their clarification statement, especially since it’s set in a key year in South Korea’s popular democratic movement that led to the establishment of the present-day republic
As a result of the growing backlash, one netizen petitioned to the Blue House to demand the drama be stopped citing concerns over potentially disparaging the pro-democracy movement, and glamorizing being a spy or working for the NSP (Agency for National Security Planning, part of the authoritarian regime that imprisoned and tortured many students who participated in the movement).
As of this writing, nearly 110,000 netizens have signed the petition demanding its cancellation.
JTBC has not issued a new response to address this petition or the mounting backlash against their clarification statement. There are fears that this drama will suffer the same fate as “Joseon Exorcist.”
“Snowdrop” plot centers around the love story of a man named Im Soo Ho (to be played by Jung Hae In) who jumps into a women’s dormitory in 1987 covered in blood one day, a female student named Eun Young Cho (Jisoo) hides and heals him.
The year its set in is very important in Korean history as it marks the year that led to the establishment of the present-day republic. The NSP (The Agency for National Security Planning) was part of the authoritarian regime at the time and killed and tortured students who participated in the movement. JTBC responded to the backlash in a statement,
“In particular claims like ‘North Korean spies lead the democracy movement’, ‘turning real student activists into characters,’ ‘glamorizing the Agency of National Security Planning‘ are not only different from the contents of “Snowdrop” but also completely unrelated to the production staff intentions.
JTBC clarifies that the current controversy has nothing to do with the content and production intention of “Snowdrop.”
In addition, we ask you to refrain from reckless criticism of a drama that has not even been revealed.”
“Snowdrop” is led by Jung Hae In, BLACKPINK Jisoo, Jang Seung Jo, Yoon Se Ah, Kim Hye Yoon and Jung Yoo Jin.
The drama is set to air in the second half of 2021.
