JTBC Reveals Contents Of Jisoo Starrer K-drama Snowdrop In An Official Statement

The much-anticipated Korean drama series, Snowdrop, starring K-pop star Jisoo, embroiled in a controversy that erupted after speculations over the drama potentially distorting history.

The k-drama is set in the backdrop of the 1980s Authoritarian era of Korea. During the time, the Gwangju Uprising took place, a student-led revolution that paved the way for South Korea’s fight against authoritarian regimes and the beginning of the country's democracy.

The plot of the series, reportedly, involves a North Korean spy, who is mistaken as a student, injured and rescued by a female student in the women’s university dorm. The two main characters are played by Jung Hae-In and Blackpink singer Jisoo.

The mass-protests caused great casualties among citizens and students of Gwangju and until now the general Korean public remains sensitive issues in history. 

Following the criticism from the K-netizens and petitions to cancel the drama, JTBC has released another statement dispelling the speculations surrounding the plot and character set-up. A portion of the actual storyline and clarification about the characters were revealed in the new statement.

Here are excerpts from JTBC’s new statement regarding Snowdrop:

The broadcasting company stated that the recent statement is a “revised statement in order to sort out these misunderstandings”. They clarified that the controversy erupted due to “one-sided information” combined with “incomplete synopsis as well as a portion of the character introductions” that was circulated online. 

JTBC further disclosed a portion of the contents of the k-drama: 

1. Regarding the problem of disparaging the Democratic Movement, Snowdrop is not a drama that deals with the Democratic Movement. There is no set-up that has the male and female lead participating or leading the Democratic Movement. On the other hand, a character who is unfairly accused and suppressed as a spy during the military regime in the 80s will appear.
2. Snowdrop uses the background and theme of 1987’s political situation surrounding the presidential election and not the Democratic Movement. A fictional story will be told surrounding the military regime, the National Security Agency and how they possess vested interests, conspiring with the North Korean dictatorship to maintain power.
3. Under this backdrop, the main characters that appear are a North Korean agent and a National Security Agent that chases after him. They will not be characters that represent their own government or organizations. They are characters that will highlight the unscrupulous greed for power to reform the regime, as well as a critical view of the National Security Agency that actively supports this. As so, the criticism that Snowdrop is romanticizing espionage and the National Security Agency is irrelevant.
4. Regarding the description of the National Security Agent as “upright” is because he refused a powerful role domestically. Rather, he is disillusioned by his colleagues who have made it so that it evades the (NSA’s original purpose) of catching spies. Instead, he takes up an overseas role as a Black Agent. He also is someone who sticks to his principles and will see whatever he thinks is right to the end, while turning his back on the corrupt organization.
5. The character in the drama with the name “Chun Young Cho” has no relevance to the revered “Chun Young Cho”. However, we will be changing the name of the female lead due to the critique that is associates her (with the drama).

Based on the information above, we request that from now on, you will refrain from spreading and leading public opinion based on false information as if they were true. We hope that it will be acknowledged that such actions will cause severe damage and diminute the many creators that strive to make a good piece of work.

JTBC will do its best so as to receive good reviews through our complete drama.

JTBC가 드라마 ‘설강화’ 논란에
거듭 입장을 밝힙니다.

JTBC는 ‘설강화’에 대한 입장 발표 이후에도
여전히 이어지는 억측과 비난에 대한
오해를 풀고자 재차 입장을 전합니다. pic.twitter.com/EcjegXWuuf

— @jtbclove (@jtbclove) March 30, 2021

Reportedly, after an incomplete script of the show began to circulate online, the Korean public expressed concerns about a potential distortion of historical facts. On March 26, the first statement in response to the criticism, denying the rumours related to the representations of Snowdrop’s actual content and intentions.

Snowdrop is scheduled to release in June 2021.