▲ Kpop singers-turned-actors Seohyun (L) and Ok Taecyeon appear on these photos each provided by their agencies. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- KBS drama production staff have come under fire for driving nails into the structure of Byeongsan Seowon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during a shoot.

 

According to reports from Andong City on Thursday, the incident occurred on Monday afternoon when the drama team, filming against the backdrop of Byeongsan Seowon, used nails to hang decorative lantern props on the wooden pillars of the site’s pavilion, Mandaeru.

 

A visitor witnessed the act and reported it to the city authorities, describing how props were being installed with nails. Andong City and Byeongsan Seowon staff intervened shortly thereafter, requesting the KBS crew to restore the site to its original state.

 

Currently, city officials are assessing the damage. Byeongsan Seowon is a historic site designated as No. 260 and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

▲ This photo, provided by a readership, show KBS drama production staff attaching decorative lanterns to Byeongsan Seowon's hanging lamps. (Yonhap)

 

An official from Andong’s Cultural Heritage Division stated, "While filming permission was granted, there was no agreement regarding installations on the cultural property. The filming approval explicitly prohibited actions that could damage the heritage."

 

KBS has issued an apology, acknowledging complaints from on-site visitors about the misuse of nails on the cultural property. In a statement, KBS expressed, "We deeply regret and acknowledge the seriousness of the situation, regardless of the circumstances. Our drama team is cooperating with Byeongsan Seowon representatives to inspect the site and agree on restoration procedures.

 

▲ Mandaeru Pavilion is located at Byeongsan Seowon in Andong. Byeongsan Seowon is a Confucian academy dedicated to Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong and his son Ryu Jin. (Yonhap)

 

The broadcaster also pledged to establish preventive measures and actively address any further concerns regarding potential damages.

 

The Kdrama series at the center of the controversy stars idols-turned-actors Seohyun and Ok Taecyeon. Adapted from a Western-style fantasy romance webtoon, the drama has been reimagined as a historical romance series.

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