Confucian institute asks KBS to change drama title

By Kang Shin-who

Sungkyunkwan, Korea’s traditional Confucian institution, is protesting to the state-run KBS for the title of its new drama series, “Sungkyunkwan Scandal.”

Choi Gun-duk, head of the centuries-old academic institute, requested the broadcaster to change the name, claiming it is defamatory.

Choi sent a letter to the broadcaster 10 days ago to express his dissatisfaction with the title, but KBS failed to reply.

The English title of the drama is spelled slightly differently but comes from the same Korean name. The highest educational institute during the Joseon Dynasty was established in 1398.

“It’s nonsense to associate the disgraceful word ‘scandal’ with the Confucian heritage,” Choi was quoted as saying. “Sungkyunkwan is the sole national university from our traditional society where past leaders of the nation were trained.”

“How could they attach the word ’scandal’ to such a noble place? This is defamation,” he added.

The drama, scheduled to begin airing on Aug. 30, is a period drama portraying love and conflict between students of noble families and troublemakers during the Joseon era. Mickey Yoochun, a singer of pop group Dong Bang Shin Ki, is the main actor in the drama, making his television debut.

KBS producers said they have no plans to change the name, saying, “Drama titles should be understood as part of artistic creativity, but it seems to have been taken too seriously and sensitively.”

믹키유천 주연 KBS '성균관 스캔들' 이의

성균관이 20일 KBS 2TV 드라마 '성균관 스캔들'의 제목에 이의를 제기하며 KBS에 제목 교체를 요청했다.

최근덕 성균관장은 "성균관은 우리 전통사회 유일한 국립대학이자 국가를 경영한 인재들을 양성한 곳"이라며 "그런 곳에 '스캔들'이라는 말을 붙인다는 게 있을 수 있느냐. 이는 명예훼손"이라고 주장.

오는 30일 첫선을 보이는 '성균관 스캔들' (극본 김태희, 연출 김원석)은 소설 '성균관 유생들의 나날'을 원작으로 한 청춘 사극이다.

그룹 동방신기의 믹키유천이 주연을 맡아 화제를 모으고 있다.