Joseon Exorcist
{{short description|2021 South Korean historical-supernatural TV series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| alt_name =
| image = Joseon Exorcist.jpg
| caption = Promotional poster
| native_name = {{Infobox Korean television name|hangul=조선구마사|hanja=朝鮮驅魔師|rr=Joseongumasa}}
| genre = {{ubl|Alternate History|Supernatural}}
| developer =
| writer = Park Gye-ok
| director = Shin Kyung-soo
| creative_director =
| starring = {{ubl|Jang Dong-yoon|Park Sung-hoon|Kam Woo-sung}}
| narrated =
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer =
| country = South Korea
| language = Korean
| num_episodes = 2 (cancelled)
| executive_producer = Hong Sung-chang (SBS)
| producer =
| location =
| cinematography =
| animator =
| editor =
| camera =
| runtime = 60 minutes
| company = {{ubl|Crave Works|YG Studioplex|Lotte Cultureworks}}
| budget =
| network = SBS TV
| first_aired = {{start date|2021|3|22}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2021|3|23}}
| related =
| creator = StudioS (SBS)
}}
Joseon Exorcist ({{Korean|조선구마사}}) is a South Korean historical-supernatural horror television series. The series, directed by Shin Kyung-soo and written by Park Gye-ok, stars Jang Dong-yoon, Park Sung-hoon and Kam Woo-sung.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/korean_drama_Joseon_Exorcist.php|title=Joseon Exorcist Drama - 2020|website=HanCinema}} The series follows the fight of the royal family to protect people from the evil spirits, who use human frailties to demolish Joseon. The first two episodes aired on SBS TV on March 22 and 23, 2021, at 22:00 (KST){{Cite web|url=https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/entertain_photo/2021/02/18/UENHP2M2IPZBMXBHA4WH37L2XE/|title=장동윤, 악령이 삼킨 조선·백성 구하는 충녕대군..첫 스틸 공개(조선구마사)|trans-title=Jang Dong-yoon, Chungnyeong Daegun to save Joseon and people swallowed by evil spirits.. First steel release (Chosun-gu Masa)|first=Ha|last=Sujeong |date=February 18, 2021|access-date=February 18, 2021|website=Chosun}}
before being canceled due to historical inaccuracies and Chinese props present in the series that resulted in backlash from many Korean viewers.{{cite news |last1=Conran |first1=Pierce |title=Period K-drama axed amid fury at historical distortion, Chinese props |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3127083/period-korean-drama-joseon-exorcist-cancelled-over-chinese |access-date=26 March 2021 |work=South China Morning Post |date=26 March 2021 |language=en}}
Synopsis
The series follows the story of King Taejong and his two sons, Prince Chungnyung and Prince Yangnyeong, how they fight the evil spirits who came alive and must be exorcised to save Joseon. The founding rulers of Joseon have taken help of the demons and the monsters to overthrow Goryeo. Later the undead return to target the royal family.
Cast
=Main=
- Jang Dong-yoon as Prince Chungnyung
- Park Sung-hoon as Prince Yangnyeong
- Hong Dong-young as young Prince Yangnyeong
- Kam Woo-sung as King Taejong{{Cite web|url=https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/entertain_photo/2020/11/18/SA2FUUKTHUEOCFTW5OF57JX3LI/|title='조선구마사' 감우성 "재미와 활력 선사하는 작품 위해 노력할 것"|trans-title='Joseongu Masa' Gam Woo-sung “I will strive for works that provide fun and vitality”|date=November 18, 2020|website=Chosun}}
- Kim Dong-jun as Byeo Ri
- Jung Hye-sung as Moo Hwa, a shaman
- Lee Yu-bi as Eo-ri, a woman who's loved by the crown prince{{Cite web|url=https://www.hankyung.com/life/article/202009212725k|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115181359/https://www.hankyung.com/life/article/202009212725k|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 15, 2022|title=[bnt화보] 이유비 "드라마 '조선구마사' 감우성, 장동윤과 호흡 맞출 예정"|trans-title=[bnt pictorial] Lee Yoo-bi “scheduled to breathe with the drama'Chosun-gu Massa' Gams Woo-sung and Jang Dong-yoon”|last=Lim|first=Jae-ho|date=September 21, 2020|website=The Korea Economic Daily}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.xportsnews.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=1401753|title='조선구마사' 이유비 "작품의 포인트? 박성훈과 어른 사랑"|trans-title='Joseongu Masa' Lee Yoo-bi "Point of work? Park Sung-hoon and adult love"|last=Oh |first=Soo-jung|date=March 17, 2021|website= X-Sports News}}
- Keum Sae-rok as Hye-yoom, Byeo-ri's co-worker{{Cite web|url=https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/entertain_photo/2020/09/23/OKXHUN6AGSYBV4EFXA2OEQLDLU/|title=[단독] 금새록, '조선구마사' 합류…장동윤x이유비와 호흡|trans-title=[Exclusive] Geum Sae-rok joins'Chosun-gu Masa' Jang Dong-yoon x Lee Yu-bi and breathing|date=September 23, 2020|website=Chosun}}
- Seo Young-hee as Queen Wongyeong
=Supporting=
- Min Jin-woong as Ing-choon, a rope walker who works with Byeo-ri and Hye-yoom
- Min Sung-wook as Park Seo-bang{{Cite web|url=https://m.star.mt.co.kr/view.html?no=2021012709175471961&ref=|title=민성욱, SBS '조선구마사' 출연..박서방役[공식]|trans-title=Min Sung-wook appeared on SBS' Chosungu Masa'.. Park Seo-bang [Official]|last=Yoon |first= Seong-yeol|date=January 27, 2021|access-date=February 18, 2021|website=Star News}}
- Moon Woo-jin as Grand Prince Kang-nyeong
- Hong Woo-jin as Hong Seok-joong, guardian of King Taejong
- Han Kyu-won as Hong Min-je
- Oh Eui-shik as Ji Gyeom
- Noh Haeng-ha as Yeon-ha
- Baek Eun-hye as Minister Ha's daughter-in-law
- Seo Dong-won as Marco, an interpreter
- Jeon Seung-hun
- Park Seo-yeon as Chae Yi
- Darcy Paquet as Father John (Yohan)
- David Lee McInnis as Father Nicholas
=Special appearances=
- Park Hyuk-kwon
- Choi Moo-sung as Mak-chi
- Joo Suk-Tae
- Kim Beop-Rae as Wang Yoo
Production
=Casting=
In April 2020, it was announced that Jang Dong-yoon would star in the series.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.donga.com/ent/article/all/20200429/100861232/1?adtbrdg=e#_adtReady|title=장동윤 측 "드라마 '조선구마사' 제안 받은 것 맞다" [공식입장] : 스포츠동아|trans-title=Jang Dong-yoon's "It is true that he received a proposal for the drama'Chosun-gu Masa'" [Official position]|website=Sports Donga|date= April 29, 2020}} In September 2020, he was joined by Park Sung-hoon,{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202009021354078010|title=박성훈 측 "'조선구마사' 긍정검토중" 감우성 만날까(공식입장)|trans-title=Park Seong-hoon's "Affirmative review of'Joseon-gu Masa'" Shall we meet Gam Woo Sung|date=September 2, 2020|website=Newsen}} Kim Dong-jun,{{Cite web|url=https://sports.donga.com/article/all/20200903/102778264/1|title=김동준 측 "'조선구마사' 긍정검토 중" [공식입장] : 스포츠동아|trans-title=Kim Dong-joon's "Affirmative review of'Joseon-gu Masa'" [Official Position]|date=September 3, 2020|website=Sports Donga}} Jung Hye-sung,{{Cite web|url=https://m.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202009141506186210&r=1|title=정혜성 측 "'조선구마사' 출연 검토 중" 장동윤 만날까(공식)|trans-title=Jeong Hye-sung's "Contemplating appearance of'Joseon-gu Masa'" Shall we meet Jang Dong-yoon (official)|author=Han Jeong- won|date=September 14, 2020|website=Newsen}} and Lee Yu-bi.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/entertain_photo/2020/09/15/JH7OYGQCQW6R4D7FBU27SC2D24/|title=[단독] 이유비, '조선구마사' 전격 주연 캐스팅..장동윤x감우성과 호흡|trans-title=[Exclusive] Lee Yoo-bi, cast in the light of'Masa Chosun'.. Dong-yoon Jang x Woo-sung Gam|date=September 15, 2020|website=Chosun}} In November 2020, Kam Woo-sung officially joined the main cast.{{Cite web|url=http://m.spotvnews.co.kr/?mod=news&act=articleView&idxno=390636#_enliple|title='조선구마사' 감우성 "재미와 활력 선사하는 작품 위해 노력할 것"|trans-title=Gam Woo-sung confirmed to appear in'Chosun-gu Masa'... Sageuk comeback in 10 years [Official]|last=Hyun-rok|first=Kim|date=November 18, 2020|website=SpotV News}} The final lineup was confirmed the same month.{{Cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/396/0000565870|title='조선구마사', 감우성-장동윤-박성훈…특급 캐스팅 완성|trans-title='Joseongu Masa', Gam Woo-sung-Jang Dong-yoon-Park Sung-hoon... Express casting completed|date=November 18, 2020|access-date=November 19, 2020|last=Kim|first=Jae-won|website=Naver}}
=Filming=
On November 23, 2020, filming was halted after it was reported that a member of the cast tested positive for COVID-19. Leading actors self-isolated for precaution.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/entertain_photo/2020/11/23/3JES7SC73F5TU75VFDDHCXYBMQ/|title="발칵 뒤집힌 연예계"…보조출연자 잇달아 확진→조승우·장동윤·권유리도 '올스톱'|trans-title=“The entertainment industry is flipped over”… Auxiliary performers confirmed one after another → Seung-woo Jo, Dong-yoon Jang, and Yuri Kwon are'all-stop'|first=Soo-hyun|last=Kim|date=November 23, 2020|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=Chosun|language=ko}} Jang Dong-yoon was injured after falling off a horse while filming on December 29.{{cite web|last=Yim|first=Seung-hye|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/12/30/entertainment/television/Jang-dongyoon-actor-korean-actor/20201230151800562.html|date=December 30, 2020|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|title=Jang Dong-yoon not seriously hurt after fall from horse while filming drama|access-date=December 31, 2020}} On February 26, 2021 it was reported that Lee Yu-bi injured her ligament while shooting for the drama.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/609/0000406522|title='조선구마사' 측 "이유비, 무릎 부딪혀 인대 손상…회복 전념"(공식입장)|trans-title='Chosun-gu Massa' side “Lee Yu-bi, ligament damage due to knee bump… Commitment to recovery” (official position)|author= Kim Myung-mi| work= Newsen | publisher=Naver|access-date=February 26, 2021|date=February 26, 2021|language=ko}}
=Controversy and cancellation=
After the airing of the first two episodes, many viewers criticized the content of the series for historical inaccuracies. Korean and Chinese viewers were angered over the usage of Chinese-style props for a show set during the Joseon dynasty.{{cite news |last1=Conran |first1=Pierce |title=K-drama Joseon Exorcist loses sponsors over on-screen Chinese props |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3126951/no-chinese-props-please-period-k-drama-joseon-exorcist |access-date=25 March 2021 |work=South China Morning Post |date=25 March 2021 |language=en}} A scene in the first episode depicted King Taejong slaughtering innocent villagers after having a hallucination of his deceased father, King Taejo. There was no historical basis for such an incident.{{cite news |last1=Dong |first1=Sun-hwa |title='Joseon Exorcist' takes flak for 'distorting history' |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/03/688_305988.html |access-date=25 March 2021 |work=The Korea Times |date=23 March 2021 |language=en}} And Prince Chungnyung (Sejong the Great) is treated like a servant by an interpreter (with father John) from China.{{Cite news|url=https://tenasia.hankyung.com/drama/article/2021032462134 |title= '조선구마사' 세종 이어 최영 모욕…韓 위인만 건드리는 음흉함 [전문] [공식]|trans-title=Insults Choi Young after Sejong of 'Chosun-gu Masa'... The insidiousness that only touches the Korean great people |publisher=The Korea Economic Daily press|work= Tenasia |author= Woo bin |date=March 24, 2021|access-date=March 27, 2021|language=ko}} The Jeonju Lee Royal Family Association, made up of descendants of Joseon’s royal family, criticized the series for its depiction of King Taejong, Prince Yangnyeong, and Prince Chungnyeong, and called for immediate cancellation of the show.{{Cite web |author=Jo Yoo-kyung |title=전주 이씨 종친회 "역사왜곡하는 '조선구마사' 방영 중지하라" |date=March 25, 2021 |trans-title= Jeonju Lee Family Association “Stop broadcasting the history-distorting'Joseon Exorcist'”|url=https://www.donga.com/news/Culture/article/all/20210325/106071329/2 |publisher=The Dong-a Ilbo |access-date=25 March 2021 |language=ko}} Over 216,000 people also petitioned the Blue House to cancel the show.{{cite news |last1=Song |first1=Seung-hyun |title=SBS drama 'Joseon Exorcist' takes beating over historical inaccuracies |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210325000951 |access-date=25 March 2021 |work=The Korea Herald |date=25 March 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=역사왜곡 동북공정 드라마 < **구마사 >의 즉각 방영중지를 요청합니다. > 대한민국 청와대|trans-title=We request that the broadcast of the history distorting Northeast Project Drama <**Exorcist> will be stopped immediately|url=https://www1.president.go.kr/petitions/597157|website=Office of the President|access-date=25 March 2021|language=ko|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327083908/https://www1.president.go.kr/petitions/597157|url-status=dead}} More than 3,900 complaints were sent to the Korea Communications Standards Commission concerning the television show.{{cite news |title='Joseon Exorcist' reignites Korea-China cultural feud |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/03/25/entertainment/television/joseon-exorcist-park-gyeok-vincenzo/20210325191100360.html |access-date=25 March 2021 |work=Korea JoongAng Daily |language=en}} On March 24, 2021, the production company and the broadcaster SBS apologized for the historical inaccuracies. They promised to remove the controversial portions and initially said that they would take a break for one week to change the content.{{cite news |title=TV series 'Joseon Exorcist' terminated over history controversy |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20210326003400315?section=culture/entertainment |access-date=26 March 2021 |work=Yonhap News Agency |date=26 March 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/108/0002942096 |title= 역사왜곡 논란 '조선구마사' 다음주 결방..SBS "무한 책임 느껴" [전문] [공식] |trans-title=History distortion controversy'Joseon Exorcist' next week Gyeolbang..SBS "I feel infinite responsibility" [Full text] [Official]|publisher=Naver|work= Star News |author= Yoon Seong-yeol |date=March 24, 2021|access-date=March 24, 2021|language=ko}} Due to the public backlash, corporate sponsors, such as Samsung Electronics and LG Household & Health Care, pulled their ads and cut their ties with the show.{{Cite news|date=2021-03-25|title=[SC이슈] "촬영無 논의"..광고 끊긴 '조선구마사', 문제의 대본 수정할까|trans-title=[SC Issue] "Discussion of no filming"..'Chosun-gu Masa' with no advertisement|work=Sports Chosun|url=https://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=202103260100200020012853&servicedate=20210325|access-date=2021-03-25}} Local governments also withdrew their support for the production.{{Cite web |title=모두 등 돌렸다…'조선구마사' 초유의 無광고 드라마 전락 |trans-title=Everyone turned their backs... 'Joseongu Masa' is a first-rate, zero-advertising drama|author=Joo-yeon Joo|url=http://news.kmib.co.kr/article/view.asp?arcid=0015670645&code=61141411&cp=nv |website=Kookmin Ilbo |access-date=25 March 2021 |language=ko |date=25 March 2021}} On March 26, 2021, SBS announced that the show was canceled after the first two episodes due to the intense public backlash and the withdrawal of support from corporate sponsors and local governments.{{Cite news|date=March 25, 2021|title=[단독]'조선구마사' 결국 폐지… 'PD가 배우들에게 통보 중'|trans-title=[Exclusive]In the end, 'Joseon Exorcist' is cancelled... " PD is notifying the actors"|author=Kim Jin-seok|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/241/0003103081|access-date=March 26, 2021|work=Daily Sports|publisher=Naver|language=ko}}{{cite web |last=Lee|first=Ga-young |title='역사 왜곡 논란' 조선구마사, 결국 방송 2회 만에 폐지 수순 |trans-title='History Distortion Controversy' In the end, Joseon Exorcist is cancelled after only two episodes|url=https://news.joins.com/article/24020743 |website=JoongAng Ilbo |access-date=25 March 2021 |language=ko |date=25 March 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Woo|first=Bin|date=2021-03-26|title=[TEN 이슈] '조선구마사', 역사 앞에 무릎 꿇었다|url=https://tenasia.hankyung.com/topic/article/2021032642194|access-date=2021-04-04|website=10Asia|language=ko}}
=Petition to bring the series to online streaming platforms=
It was reported that the international fans of the drama are petitioning for Joseon Exorcist to be broadcast on online streaming platforms like Netflix, iQIYI and Viu.{{cite news|url=https://chingutotheworld.com/international-kdrama-fans-fights-back-petition-joseon-exorcist/|title=International Kdrama Fans Fights Back Petition: Joseon Exorcist|website=CTTW|date=27 March 2021|access-date=30 March 2021|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109104439/https://chingutotheworld.com/international-kdrama-fans-fights-back-petition-joseon-exorcist/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/03/29/international-fans-sign-petition-to-bring-cancelled-k-drama-joseon-exorcist-to-netflix/|title=International fans sign petition to bring cancelled K-drama 'Joseon Exorcist' to Netflix|website=Manila Bulletin|date=29 March 2021|access-date=30 March 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/trending/k-drama-joseon-exorcist-sparks-controversy-over-distortions-14488674|title=K-drama Joseon Exorcist sparks controversy over 'historical distortions', Chinese influences|website=CNA Lifestyle|date=25 March 2021|access-date=30 March 2021|archive-date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326072658/https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/trending/k-drama-joseon-exorcist-sparks-controversy-over-distortions-14488674|url-status=dead}}
Viewership
{{Television ratings graph
| title = Joseon Exorcist
| refs = Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.{{cite web|url=http://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210323|title=Nielsen Korea (Nationwide)|work=Nielsen Korea|language=ko|access-date=March 24, 2021}}
| average = y
| width = 100
| height = 170
| country = South Korea
| -
|1.751
|1.294
|1.523
}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
| rowspan="3" | {{abbr|Ep.|Episode}}
! rowspan="3" | Part ! rowspan="3" | Original broadcast date ! colspan="3" | Average audience share |
|---|
| colspan="2" | AGB Nielsen{{Cite web|title=Nielsen Korea (Seoul) TOP 20 LIST FOR TV PROGRAMS|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=01|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Nielsen Korea}}{{Cite web|url=https://m.search.naver.com/search.naver?where=m&sm=mtb_etc&mra=bjkw&x_csa=%7B%22pkid%22%3A%2257%22%2C%20%22isOpen%22%3Afalse%2C%20%22tab%22%3A%22rating%22%7D&pkid=57&os=17512524&qvt=0&query=%EC%A1%B0%EC%84%A0%EA%B5%AC%EB%A7%88%EC%82%AC%20%EC%8B%9C%EC%B2%AD%EB%A5%A0|title=조선구마사 : 시청률|trans-title = Joseon Exorcist: ratings|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Naver}} |
| width="90" | Nationwide
! width="90" | Seoul ! width="90" | Nationwide |
| rowspan="2" |1
! 1 | rowspan="2" | March 22, 2021 | 5.7% {{small|(16th)}} | 6.5% {{small|(13th)}} | 6.1% {{small|(16th)}} |
| 2
| {{color|red|8.9%}} {{small|(5th)}} | {{color|red|9.9%}} {{small|(4th)}} | {{color|red|9.2%}} {{small|(5th)}} |
| rowspan="2" |2
! 1 | rowspan="2" | March 23, 2021 | {{color|blue|4.5%}} {{small|(NR)}} | {{N/A|N/A}} | {{color|blue|5.6%}} {{small|(16th)}} |
| 2
| 6.9% {{small|(9th)}} | 7.4% {{small|(7th)}} | 7.5% {{small|(10th)}} |
| colspan="3" | Average
! {{color|green|6.5%}} ! {{color|green|—}} ! {{color|green|7.1%}} |
colspan="6" |
|
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|13634332}}
- {{HanCinema drama|Joseon_Exorcist}}
Category:Seoul Broadcasting System television dramas
Category:2021 South Korean television series debuts
Category:2021 South Korean television series endings
Category:Korean-language television shows
Category:Alternate history television series
Category:Television series set in Joseon
Category:Television series by YG Entertainment
Category:South Korean fantasy television series
Category:Television productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Category:South Korean historical television series