Trend Details

Middle East Backlash for Chicken Nugget

The South Korean drama has recently received backlash from viewers in Saudi Arabia. This is not the first time a Korean drama was criticised for cultural insensitivity. By Ching Wai.

South Korea - Netflix’s recently premiered webtoon-turned comedy mystery series Chicken Nugget is all the rage. Its unexpectedly trivial title hides a treasure trove of clever references and tear-jerking plot that leaves room for deeper analysis. Despite the praises and good reviews, the drama recently received backlash from the Middle East.

Viewers in Saudi Arabia were angered by a scene in the drama’s finale. In the particular scene, there was mention of a request from the King of Saudi Arabia for tickets to Baek-joong (one of the main lead)’s concert. Baek-joong asks, “Why should I give them preferential treatment?” but agrees to give back row seats after considering “[the] political and economic side that [cannot be] ignore[d].” Such a comment slighted those in Saudi Arabia, who felt that it was disrespectful to the royal family. In response, over 99% of the viewers gave the drama a 1-star rating on IMDB, resulting in an overall 5.9 star rating.

Even if this was an innocent mistake, this is not the first time a Korean drama has received backlash for cultural inappropriateness. Last year, the romantic comedy series King’s Land was criticised for allegedly disrespecting Arab and Muslim culture. The drama reportedly reinforces the stereotypes of Arab princes as playboys. There was also criticism for serving alcohol in the presence of a Muslim character, which is disrespectful to their religious beliefs.

The presence of worldwide critics is evidence of the global reception and influence of Korean dramas. This most recent backlash is another reminder to South Korean producers and filmmakers to not take their influence lightly, nor to remain ignorant to different cultures. Instead of simply being cautious to avoid backlash when producing projects, it would be better for production companies to re-evaluate and exercise sensitivity. With our increasingly interconnected world, even without such influence, one should exercise care and empathy when engaging in more sensitive topics.

To never miss a story — sign up for Viral Weekly free newsletter to stay up-to-date with compelling TV and Film news and views.

Back to Listing