Kdrama of YoonA and Lee Junho, King the Land, has faced more criticism from international viewers. This time, King the Land had allegedly delivered a false portrayal and misinterpretation of the image and culture of the Arab prince in Episode 7. So, how did it happen, and what kind of false portrayal has the Kdrama presented? Continue reading for a more detailed discussion.
KING THE LAND Starring YoonA and Lee Junho Faces More Criticism for Arab Prince Appearance in Episode 7
The new skyrocketing rom-com Kdrama King the Land, starring YoonA and Lee Junho, must face yet another controversy. After previously being under fire for its epic failure and waste of talent, the series is now under fire for cultural misinterpretation.
On July 8, YoonA and Lee Junho’s new Kdrama, King the Land, aired Episode 7 on multiple platforms. During this episode, the great Indian actor Anupam Tripathi made a special appearance in King the Land, portraying the character of Arab royalty, Prince Sameer.
Anupam Tripathi has previously showcased spectacular acting as Ali Abdul in Squid Game. Unfortunately, while he managed to deliver another wonderful performance, actor Anupam’s appearance this time has become a controversy as King the Land Kdrama starring YoonA and Lee Junho faces criticism for the Arab prince’s portrayal in Episode 7.
ngl prince Samir will be missed. Pure comedy 😆#킹더랜드 #KingTheLandEp8 #KingTheLand
— 𝐿𝓎𝓁𝒾𝒶 (@gomezsftstyles) July 9, 2023
pic.twitter.com/NjeieJ9N9F
FALSE Portrayal and Disrespecting the Arab Prince in Episode 7
So, how did King the Land Kdrama starring YoonA and Lee Junho misinterpret the Arab prince?
In Episode 7, an Arabian royalty called Prince Sameer (Anupam Tripathi) visited King the Land hotel and added countless hilarious comedies to the Kdrama. The scenes even included a subtle reference to Squid Game, the series that propelled actor Anupam Tripathi to stardom
nawt the squid game reference😭#KingTheLand #KingTheLandEp8 pic.twitter.com/WXrWN8GLms
— aki (@makiathhyo) July 9, 2023
During Episode 7, actor Anupam Tripathi delivered yet another unique performance as the Arab Prince Sameer. However, this performance has been tainted with various criticisms as King the Land Kdrama appears to have perpetuated another cultural misconception.
Following the broadcast, King the Land became the center of massive criticism from international viewers. Fans posted their complaints on various social media platforms that King the Land Kdrama has portrayed the Arab Prince Sameer’s character in the most disrespectful ways.
In the episode, the Arab royalty Prince Sameer is seen surrounded by women while having fun in a bar. This character interpretation results in many complaints and criticism from international viewers. According to the viewers’ comments, portraying the Arab prince spending blissful time in a bar with the women freely touching him as if he was obsessed with them in King the Land episode 7 was extremely insulting and disrespectful.
As a result, fans expressed their protests and criticism on Twitter and Instagram. They demanded King the Land and JTBC apologize for the misinterpretation and disrespect against the Arabian culture.
تلقت دراما #KingTheLand موجة غضب قوية من طرف المشاهدين العرب !
— أخبار الدراما الكورية (@Kdramastars1) July 9, 2023
فبعد عرض الحلقة 7 قام المتابعين العرب بحملة قوية ضد طاقم العمل بسبب الإساءة إلى القيم الأخلاقية للعرب و عرض شخصية عربية في حانة بجانب نساء في وضعية مخلة للحياء
شاركونا ارأكم !🩶 pic.twitter.com/J0zQMba4Zd
They brought an Indian actor, put him in Arab traditional clothes, and make him act as if he’s uneducated and obsessed with alcohol and girls… this is extremely disrespectful and offensive. We need an apology.#JTBCAPOLOGIZE#KingTheLandEp7#KingTheLand
— رين (@areayiein) July 9, 2023
pic.twitter.com/TTbpnIBfcL
i hate the way us arabs were being portrayed in king the land… Like yes there are arabs that drink and flirt or whatever but the kind of arabs they are portraying are middle eastern were its mostly muslims that don’t drink nor touch women.#KingTheLand
— winter. (@utwooi) July 9, 2023
What do you want to convey by insulting the Arabs?
— 🥈Lana (@3hp_e) July 9, 2023
🛑We don’t drink
🛑We don’t go to bars
🛑The men don’t touch the women.#JTBCAPOLOGIZE#KdramaOffendsTheArabs pic.twitter.com/cXJql50qb3
When Will It End?
Ultimately, it has never been a peaceful journey in Kdramaland regarding cultural misconceptions. Some might even ask when such disrespect and false images of other cultures end.
After the previous cultural issues with Reborn Rich, Big Mouth, Little Women, and See You in My 19th Life, this time, YoonA and Lee Junho’s King the Land Kdrama must face similar criticism for its cultural misinterpretation.
Fans have long been frustrated with the perceived lack of research and cultural sensitivity by the production teams of Korean dramas. While a few mistakes may be understandable, the same repeated mistakes in different titles will undoubtedly result in massive issues. These issues will backfire, bringing the drama’s reputation to a significant decline.
Hence, considering the popularity of Kdramas, which is steadily and continuously rising, production teams should stop taking such matters lightly. Instead, they must conduct proper research before dragging cultures from other countries into their issues.
Thank God I lost interest in watching kdrama
— cho- ot1 x 5 era 😎 (@ChoLovesGD2) July 9, 2023
The disrespect and ignorance 💀💀 https://t.co/UHHL9RAy5V
My sis was watching this drama on our tv and I saw this scene.I was like ?!?
— forever❤ (@panypinkeu) July 9, 2023
Well kdrama and their forever disrespect to other culture. They will never learn huh. https://t.co/OO92ylNV3N
So, what do you think about the portrayal of the Arab Prince Sameer in King the Land episode 7? Will this continued disrespect toward other cultures taint Yoona and Lee Junho’s new drama reputation? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
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I have been watching this Kdrama but did not realise that it has caused some cultural sensitivity here. I think the screen writer and director of any drama should look into such matters in their next production.