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| ▲ This photo, provided by KBS, shows a poster of "The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- KBS 2TV’s historical drama “The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won” is canceled for two weeks after facing an animal abuse controversy.
"Due to the recent controversy, we decided to cancel the 13th and 14th episodes scheduled to air on the Jan. 22~23,” said a spokesman from the historical series.
“We plan to cancel the special broadcast that was originally scheduled to air on Jan. 29~30 ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays,” added the official.
The series has been under fire since a clip was released of members of the filming crew pulling the rope and causing the horse to fall violently to the ground. The horse died about a week later amid allegations of animal abuse.
KBS TV has apologized and explained, “We cannot help but feel a deep sense of responsibility,” but is still facing criticism.
A petition was posted on an online bulletin of the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, calling for the termination of the TV production and punishment of those responsible. Some 40,000 people had signed it as of Friday morning and celebrities including Ko So-young, Kim Hyo-jin, Gong Hyo-jin expressed regret through their personal social media posts.
The controversial scene in the seventh episode of “The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won” has been suspended on the KBS homepage and OTT services.
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