2PM Taecyeon And Girls’ Generation Seohyun’s K-Drama Reported To The Police

The production team behind KBS2’s new K-Drama The First Night with the Duke — famously starring 2PM‘s Taecyeon and Girls’ Generation‘s Seohyun — has come under serious scrutiny after being reported to the police for damaging a national cultural heritage site.

Earlier this year, the K-Drama was accused of causing harm to Byeongsan Seowon, a Confucian academy in Andong that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. During filming, the team reportedly drove nails into the wooden structure to hang props—an act that violated the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. As a result, three members of the props department were officially referred to the prosecution for damaging cultural property.

Following the backlash, the production relocated its filming to Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province. However, public criticism continued to mount, especially as Byeongsan Seowon holds significant historical value and legal protections.

In response to the controversy, a press conference for the K-Drama was held on June 11 in Seoul. Director Lee Woong Hee directly addressed the issue during the event.

“We deeply disappointed many people due to the cultural heritage damage incident at Byeongsan Seowon during the production process. I want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize.

It was clearly our fault, and all the footage shot at the site has been scrapped. KBS has also established new guidelines for filming involving cultural heritage sites. I’m not trying to boast about taking responsibility, we’re currently under investigation by the Cultural Heritage Administration and the police, and I just want to say we’ve taken the best possible measures we could at this stage.

Because of the nature of the wood material involved, we were told the site requires ongoing observation. Rather than beginning restoration immediately, we plan to continue monitoring the situation closely.

This K-Drama was meant to bring energy and joy to people’s everyday lives, but instead, we caused distress with this controversy. I am truly sorry.”

— Director Lee Woong