Director Lee Woong-hee Apologizes for Cultural Heritage Damage at Drama Press Conference

On June 11, actor Ok Taec-yeon and Seohyun posed for photos at the press conference for KBS2's new drama 'The Night of the Main Character's First Day' held at The Saint Grand Ballroom in Guro-gu, Seoul. Director Lee Woong-hee addressed the controversy surrounding the filming of the drama, which resulted in damage to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Byeongsan Seowon. He expressed regret, stating, "We have disappointed many people due to the cultural heritage damage incident at Byeongsan Seowon during the production process, and I would like to take this opportunity to apologize."

Lee confirmed that all footage related to the incident has been discarded and that they are revising their filming guidelines for cultural heritage sites. He mentioned that they will monitor the damaged areas in consultation with experts, as the wooden structure requires observation for a year.

He emphasized, "We acknowledge our mistakes and are taking minimal actions while still under investigation by the Cultural Heritage Administration and police. Our goal is to provide joy and vitality through our drama, and I sincerely apologize for the negative news that has emerged during this process."

The cast members also expressed their apologies. Ok Taec-yeon remarked, "This incident has made both the staff and actors more aware of our responsibilities," while Seohyun stated, "I believe there is no excuse for this, and we must ensure that such incidents do not happen again on any filming set."

Previously, it was revealed that during filming last December, nails were driven into ten locations at the site to secure props, leading to public outcry. Three members of the KBS drama props team were subsequently referred to the prosecution for violating laws regarding the preservation and utilization of cultural heritage. Andong City requested the disposal of the footage, which KBS accepted, deciding not to use any material filmed at Byeongsan Seowon.

'The Night of the Main Character's First Day' is a romantic fantasy drama about an ordinary college student whose spirit inhabits a character in a romance novel, leading to a night with the story's obsessive male lead. The drama, starring Seohyun and Ok Taec-yeon, premiered on the same day.