Credit: Namu Actors, 51k

The production team of The First Night With the Duke (working title) has come under fire for allegedly damaging cultural heritage, prompting Andong City to announce plans to file a formal police complaint.


An official from Andong City Hall stated on January 3rd regarding the damage to Byeongsan Seowon caused by the filming of the new KBS drama that they are revisiting the site to reassess the damage. The official added, “We are conducting legal reviews and plan to file a formal complaint soon.”

Previously, on January 2nd, a post by an architect who visited Byeongsan Seowon in Andong went viral on an online community. The architect claimed to have witnessed the KBS drama production team damaging the cultural heritage site. The post read, “Various items that appeared to be drama props were placed around the establishment, and some staff members were hammering nails into wooden pillars to hang lights.”


Netizens reacted with disbelief upon hearing the news, sharing comments like these.

“Are you serious? Hammering nails into a cultural heritage site? What’s the point of filming a drama if it means damaging cultural treasures like this? LOL. Apparently, it’s the team from KBS’s The First Night With the Duke. How could anyone even think of hammering nails into a cultural heritage site?”


“The First Night With the Duke—this drama shouldn’t even be allowed to air. Byeongsan Seowon is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Korea’s most beautiful and significant seowons and hanoks from an architectural perspective. This is completely unacceptable, and I’m furious. KBS better handle this properly, and everyone involved in the drama should understand how shameful this is.”


“The production team of KBS drama The First Night With the Duke damaged a hanok cultural heritage site… They even hammered nails into the pillars. This is just utterly disgraceful and disheartening.”

“The KBS drama production team that hammered nails into a cultural heritage site.”

As the controversy escalated, Andong City Hall responded on the afternoon of January 2nd, explaining that the Cultural Heritage Management Team had issued a filming permit. However, they clarified that a staff member is currently inspecting Byeongsan Seowon to assess the extent of the damage.

Located in Andong, Byeongsan Seowon is designated as Historic Site No. 260 and is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. As the issue grew, KBS issued an official statement, acknowledging, “KBS deeply regrets the gravity of the situation at the filming site, regardless of the reasons,” and added, “We will implement measures to prevent recurrence and actively address any additional damage that may have occurred.”

Meanwhile, the upcoming KBS drama is set in the Joseon Dynasty and is said to incorporate historical drama elements. It was previously reported exclusively by Xports News that Seohyun and Ok Taecyeon have joined the cast.

>> Kim Jung Hyun Apologized to Seohyun? Leaked 2024 KBS Drama Awards Speech Reveals Shocking Moment

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