Conservative Group Accuses Drama 'Love's Emergency Landing' Producer of "Glorifying North Korean Regime"... Police in a Dilemma

Christian Liberty Party Files Complaint Against Drama Crash Landing on You for "Praising North Korea"

Police Assign Case After Receiving Complaint, "Investigation Will Proceed According to Procedure"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The drama 'Crash Landing on You,' currently airing, has been reported to the prosecution for allegedly glorifying the North Korean regime.

According to the police on the 21st, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency recently received a case from the prosecution in which the Christian Liberty Party filed a complaint against the production PD of Crash Landing on You and the broadcasting company tVN for violating the National Security Act. The case was assigned to the Security Division 2. A police official stated, "A conservative group submitted a complaint against the broadcasting company of the drama Crash Landing on You under the name of a lawyer," adding, "We will conduct the investigation according to procedure."

The drama depicts the story of a South Korean chaebol heiress (played by Son Ye-jin) who crash-lands in North Korea due to a paragliding accident and is discovered by a North Korean officer (played by Hyun Bin), leading to a romance. The setting includes North Korean military housing villages near the Demilitarized Zone and Pyongyang. Scenes show the jangmadang (traditional markets) where goods from the southern neighborhood (South Korea) are secretly bought and sold, and North Korean soldiers using South Korean electric rice cookers and large wall-mounted TVs in their quarters.

The Christian Liberty Party argued, "The North Korean General Political Bureau chief, who orders missile launches, is portrayed as a charismatic soldier, and there is no depiction of the North Korean enemy pointing guns and knives at us; only peaceful soldiers exist," adding, "North Korea is the main enemy of the Republic of Korea. They must never be glorified for any reason."

The police are in a difficult position. Since the complaint has been filed, they must summon related parties for investigation, but question whether it is appropriate to investigate a fictional drama under the National Security Act. The improved inter-Korean relations under the Moon Jae-in administration also add to the burden.