Live-action adaptation faces 'dislike' bomb before release... Another controversy over 'original work damage'

Latin Snow White?..."PC Culture" Controversy
"Respect for Diversity" vs "Original Work Distortion" Debate

Actress Rachel Zegler, who played the role of Snow White.
[Photo source: YouTube 'Walt Disney Studios' video capture]

The live-action film "Baekseolgongju" (Snow White), which has been embroiled in controversy over the lead actor's race and past statements, received over one million "dislikes" even before its release.

The trailer for the movie "Baekseolgongju," released on Walt Disney Studios' official YouTube channel, received more than one million "dislikes" as of the 31st of last month (local time). In contrast, the number of "likes" was only 80,000.

The film has been surrounded by various controversies since the early stages of production. In particular, the original Snow White character was described as having "ebony black hair and skin as white as snow," but the casting of Latin actress Rachel Zegler, who has a tan complexion, sparked a "distortion of the original" controversy.

Some criticized Disney for prioritizing Political Correctness (PC) at the expense of the original story. Zegler's past interview further fueled the controversy. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she said, "People say our movie will be a PC Snow White, and yes, because it needs to be."

The seven dwarf characters in "Baekseolgongju" also came under scrutiny. Disney stated that they are taking a different approach to break away from the stereotypes of the original by portraying dwarfs of various ages and races using CGI. This has led to criticism that actors with dwarfism, who already have limited roles in Hollywood, have been deprived of their parts.

Will it become the second 'The Little Mermaid'?

Singer and actress Halle Bailey, who played the role of the Little Mermaid.
[Photo by Walt Disney Studios, YouTube video capture]

This is not Disney's first PC controversy. Previously, the live-action film "The Little Mermaid," released last year, cast Halle Bailey, a Black singer and actress, as Ariel, who in the original story has white skin and red hair, sparking controversy. Despite a production budget of hundreds of millions of dollars, "The Little Mermaid" ultimately failed to break even amid the controversy.

Some netizens reacted critically, saying things like, "They took away The Little Mermaid and now Snow White too," "Don't they realize PC is causing more racial discrimination?" and "PC culture in children's animation is really tiresome." On the other hand, some defended Disney, saying, "How long will it be only white princesses? Diversity must be respected," "A Latin Snow White sounds exciting," and "Please make a Korean princess too."