[Zoom In] Is the Controversy Over Historical Distortion a Misunderstanding? Are 'Snowdrop' Viewers Easy Targets?

Photo by JTBC (below)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "Concerns about historical distortion and the denigration of the democratization movement will mostly be resolved as the drama progresses."

Could it be that Im Suho (played by Jung Hae-in) is actually an alien? Comprehensive programming channel JTBC has issued a statement calling the controversy surrounding the drama 'Snowdrop' a 'misunderstanding.' However, the official statement released three days after the first broadcast has been criticized for lacking persuasiveness as it fails to address the core issues.

On the 21st, JTBC released an official statement saying, "Since the broadcast of 'Snowdrop,' controversies based on inaccurate information have not subsided, so we would like to share our position."

They continued, "'Snowdrop's' setting and main events are inspired by the presidential election period during the military dictatorship era. Within this backdrop, the story imagines a scenario where the entrenched powers collude with the North Korean regime to maintain their authority," explaining, "'Snowdrop' is a creative work that portrays the personal narratives of those who were exploited and sacrificed by those in power."

They further clarified, "'Snowdrop' does not feature any spies leading the democratization movement. The male and female protagonists neither participate in nor lead the democratization movement, as shown in episodes 1 and 2, nor is this present anywhere in the script thereafter."

JTBC stated, "The concerns about 'historical distortion' and 'denigration of the democratization movement' raised by many will mostly be resolved as the drama unfolds," adding, "The production team’s intention is to convey a message hoping that an abnormal era where individuals' freedom and happiness are suppressed by unjust power will not be repeated."

They also expressed regret that they cannot reveal much of the storyline before each episode airs and asked viewers to watch the upcoming developments carefully.

JTBC emphasized, "The core values JTBC pursues are freedom of content creation and production independence," and pledged, "Based on these, JTBC will continue to do its best to present good works."

JTBC appears unable to address the core of the issue. Viewers are not fools. If the intention is merely to evade responsibility and continue airing at all costs, shouldn't there at least be a minimal apology?

Although the superficial, evasive official statement that sidesteps the controversy’s core may allow the airing of episode 3 scheduled soon, if the storyline fails to convince the majority, it will be criticized as a 'stalling tactic.' If that happens, how can viewers trust JTBC’s future dramas?

Currently, over 300,000 people have signed a petition on the Blue House National Petition platform demanding the suspension of 'Snowdrop.' What does this signify? It is not merely about a few problematic scenes in episodes 1 and 2 or discomfort preventing viewers from watching.

The production team has maintained a consistent stance since March. At that time, the 'Snowdrop' side said, "Please watch the broadcast and then comment," but after the controversy intensified following episode 2, they repeatedly urged viewers to wait and see.

There has been no mention or apology regarding the criticism of the denigration of the democratization movement and the glorification of the Agency for National Security Planning (ANSP) in the already aired episodes. The problem is not the appearance of a spy leading the democratization movement, but that the very premise of the drama is criticized as denigrating, yet they only keep saying to watch more.

The explanation that the male and female protagonists do not participate in the democratization movement is also unconvincing. The key issue is not whether the protagonists participate, but that the era cannot be erased and the protagonists’ meeting and narrative cannot be discussed independently of it.

Regardless of the protagonists’ participation, the female protagonist’s dormitory roommate is shown joining the democratization movement, and scenes of protests and the ANSP on the streets directly depict the 1980s setting, forming the drama’s context.

'Snowdrop' is set against the backdrop of the 1980s presidential election period when the democratization movement fiercely opposed the military dictatorship. This background cannot be dismissed as 'fiction' because of the countless sacrifices and pain of youth under military oppression and anti-communist ideology, and the victims who still suffer today.

JTBC mentioned there is a 'twist.' If it is a twist, should it not be something like spy Im Suho (played by Jung Hae-in) transforming into a 'hero' protecting Earth, flying through the sky, or jumping 30 years ahead to reunite with Eun Young-ro (played by Jisoo) in middle age for a twilight romance?

Thinking that public opinion can be soothed by a twist involving some characters while keeping the harsh era as the same backdrop shows how JTBC views its viewers.

The depiction of ANSP agents’ past in episode 1 was criticized for legitimizing the characters and aiding immersion, which sparked controversy over glorifying the ANSP. JTBC again called this a 'misunderstanding' and said it would be resolved later, but made no mention of the aired content.

'Snowdrop' has been criticized for already containing errors in character settings. It has been pointed out that characters resemble real victims of state power such as Cheon Yeong-cho, Yun Isang, and Lim Jong-seok. This is why the talk of 'misunderstanding' and 'twist' is nonsensical. When suspicions arise that characters’ settings and histories are similar to those rooted in the era, what more are they asking viewers to watch for?

Dismissing the controversy as a mere 'misunderstanding' shows how little importance they place on this issue.

Instead of apologizing for historical distortion, JTBC mentioned creative freedom. "The core values JTBC pursues are content creation freedom and production independence."

True 'creative freedom' is guaranteed only when creators take responsibility without harming victims or distorting facts. Are they prioritizing creative freedom over the responsibility of broadcasting a drama? Does it mean that whatever the story or content, it does not matter? That itself is illogical.

We must not forget that thoughtless creations can become another form of 'harm.'

Meanwhile, the non-profit organization Democratic Martyrs Park Jong-cheol Memorial Association (hereafter Park Jong-cheol Memorial Association) stated, "Democratization movements and the ANSP should never be linked. During the military dictatorship, many victims suffered violence and torture due to fabricated spy cases, ruining their lives, leading to extreme choices, and even executions," expressing their position on 'Snowdrop.'

They added, "At that time, the logic of state agencies including the ANSP was 'You are spies.' The ANSP chasing real spies in the drama and female university students hiding spies thinking they are activists only legitimizes and justifies their claims. This is another form of harm," they condemned.