Vintage TV drama clip goes viral after ballot paper shortages disrupt local elections

Actor Choi Jun-yong in a scene from the 2003 SBS TV drama "Rustic Period" / Captured from YouTube

A scene from the popular SBS television drama "Rustic Period," which first aired more than two decades ago, has unexpectedly resurfaced online following controversy over ballot paper shortages during Korea’s local elections on Wednesday.

The scene, which dramatizes the infamous March 15, 1960, election fraud that helped trigger the downfall of President Syngman Rhee’s government, has been widely shared on social media and online communities since the Election Day disruptions.

In Episode 121 of the drama, originally broadcast on Sept. 22, 2003, political gangster Im Hwa-soo, portrayed by actor Choi Jun-yong, is shown plotting to manipulate the 1960 election.

In the scene, Im instructs his subordinates to stuff ballot boxes with votes equivalent to 40 percent of the electorate in favor of the ruling Liberal Party. One subordinate raises concerns that such a plan would require diverting genuine ballots from voters and asks whether citizens would simply tolerate not receiving their voting papers. Im dismisses the concern, replying that ordinary people would not understand what was happening and would likely assume the ballots had simply run out.

The scene has drawn renewed attention because it reminded many viewers of the ballot shortage incidents reported during this year’s local elections.

On Wednesday, voting was temporarily suspended at 14 polling stations in Seoul’s Songpa, Gangnam and Gwangjin districts after supplies of ballot papers were exhausted earlier than expected. Election officials had reportedly underestimated voter turnout and failed to prepare sufficient quantities of ballots, resulting in confusion and delays at polling stations.

While the circumstances differ significantly from the deliberate election-rigging depicted in "Rustic Period," many online users have nevertheless pointed to the similarities in the imagery of voters being unable to obtain ballots.

The controversy has also intensified criticism that election authorities inadvertently provided ammunition for groups promoting election fraud conspiracy theories.

Some protesters gathered at a polling station in Seoul’s Jamsil 7-dong neighborhood, alleging election fraud and attempting to block the transfer of ballot boxes. Police ultimately dispersed the demonstrators Thursday morning.

Online criticism has been fierce. “How can it make any sense that people are unable to vote because there are no ballots available?” one commenter asked, and argued that those responsible for the mishandling should be held accountable.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.