Did New Drama Starring Seohyun and Ok Taecyeon Damage UNESCO World Heritage Site? Sparks Debate

A New Drama Starring Girl's Generation Seohyun and 2PM Ok Taecyeon Faces Controversy Even Before Airing.

The upcoming KBS 2TV drama 'The First Night With the Duke (working title)' has sparked outrage after allegations of cultural heritage damage during filming at 'Byeongsan Seowon', a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The controversy arose when it was revealed that nails were hammered into the wooden pillars of the historic site’s Mandaeru pavilion to install props, drawing widespread criticism.

On January 2, architect Min Seo-hong exposed the incident on social media, recounting his visit to Byeongsan Seowon on December 30, where he witnessed the filming firsthand.

Min described Byeongsan Seowon as “a precious cultural asset designated as Historic Site No. 260 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.” He reported seeing crew members installing props by nailing into the wooden pillars. The photos he shared clearly show lanterns attached to the upper sections of the pillars, making the damage undeniable.

When Min questioned the staff on-site, asking, “Is it acceptable to damage cultural heritage like this?” some staff members reportedly responded dismissively, claiming they had “permission from Andong City.” Min immediately reported the issue to the Cultural Heritage Division of Andong City Hall and the National Heritage Administration.

An official from Andong City confirmed that while the drama had received filming permission, the act of nailing into the pillars was not authorized. Although the props were removed, filming continued without interruption.

Min expressed his dismay, stating, “I was shocked to hear that heritage damage is repeatedly occurring on drama sets. It raises fundamental questions about the appropriateness of using cultural heritage sites as filming locations.” He particularly criticized KBS, a public broadcaster, for being involved in such an incident.

The production team of 'The First Night With the Duke (working title)' has yet to release a detailed statement, only noting that they are “currently investigating the situation.”

The drama, a fantasy romance starring Seohyun and Ok Taecyeon, follows the story of an ordinary college student who is transported into the body of a minor character in a romance novel. Set to air in 2025 on KBS 2TV, the series has already drawn attention for its unique storyline and star-studded cast.