'Daegun-buin' Historical Distortion Vs. 'Brave New World' Praised for Detailed Historical Accuracy

'Daegun-buin' Historical Distortion Vs. 'Brave New World' Praised for Detailed Historical Accuracy

As MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Daegun-buin' concluded amid criticism of historical distortion, SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Brave New World' is receiving praise in contrast for its meticulous historical accuracy.

'Brave New World,' which aired its first episode on the 8th, is gaining positive word-of-mouth with reactions praising its careful application of historical research about the Joseon Dynasty period.

Modern-day Shin Seo-ri (played by Im Ji-yeon), possessed by the soul of Joseon-era notorious villainess Gang Dan-shim, mentioned Im Yun-jidang — a representative female Neo-Confucian scholar of the late Joseon period — while competing for a modeling opportunity during an interview.

While talking about her dreams, Shin Seo-ri declared she would not settle for being a kitchen maid in a changed world, snapping, "If the likes of Heo Nan-seolheon and Shin Saimdang were to hear this, they would rise from their graves weeping."

She continued, "Did not Master Im Yun-jidang herself say so — that men and women are not born with different natures? If it were me, I would certainly declare myself unmarried in this lifetime, build up my learning, and rise to the top position in whatever I pursue," boldly expressing her ambitions.

This line references content found in Im Yun-jidang's collected works, 'Yunjidang Yugo.' She boldly argued that even if men and women have different roles, their innate character is no different, and that women too can become sages through education and self-cultivation.

Praise also continued for the meticulous attention to detail in the historical accuracy of costumes and props. While Joseon-era Gang Dan-shim wears traditional flat suhye (heelless traditional shoes), modern Shin Seo-ri wears contemporary flower-patterned kkotsin with heels.

Regarding Gang Dan-shim's navy blue hanbok skirt, assessments have emerged that it accurately reflects Joseon's clothing culture, in which married women of the royal court wore navy blue skirts.

Meanwhile, in MBC's '21st Century Daegun-buin,' which aired on the 15th, the king was depicted wearing the nine-tassel crown (guryumyeollyugwan) used by vassal states, while retainers shouted "cheonse" — the cry used by vassal states — rather than "manse," which is used by sovereign states, sparking controversy over historical distortion.

'Brave New World' is a romance comedy drama about the war-like relationship between Shin Seo-ri, an unknown actress who has turned villainous after being possessed by the soul of Joseon's most notorious villainess, and Cha Se-gye (played by Heo Nam-jun), a ruthless chaebol described as a monster spawned by capitalism.

Starting with a viewership rating of 4.1% for its first episode, the drama has been on an upward trend, recording 6.0% by its fourth episode.