KBS2TV’s new daily drama Queen’s House faced backlash after a line in its first episode suggested public kindergartens are unsafe compared to private ones, prompting a swift apology from the production team. The controversial dialogue, aired on April 28, 2025, led to the episode’s removal from streaming platforms, with plans to edit and reupload it.
Drama’s Premise and Controversial Scene
Queen’s House, a revenge-driven KBS2TV daily drama, premiered on April 28, 2025. Written by Kim Min Joo and directed by Hong Seok Goo and Hong Eun Mi, it follows Kang Jae In (played by Ham Eun Jung), a woman whose perfect life unravels after her son’s kidnapping, leading her on a path of retribution. The show airs weekdays at 7:50 PM KST.
In the first episode, Kang Jae In’s son, Hwang Eun Ho (played by Yeo Si On), is kidnapped. A heated scene shows the maternal grandmother, played by Choi Ja Young, confronting the paternal grandmother. She tearfully says:
“How could a wealthy chaebol family send their child to a public kindergarten? If he had gone to the most expensive private kindergarten, none of this would’ve happened.”
This line sparked outrage among viewers, who felt it demeaned public education by implying public kindergartens are less safe, indirectly blaming the kidnapping on the choice of school.
Public Backlash and Netizen Reactions
Viewers quickly took to social media and online forums to express their anger. Many criticized the drama for perpetuating negative stereotypes about public education. Some argued the line suggested wealthier families should avoid public institutions, reinforcing class divides. Others felt it unfairly linked public kindergartens to safety risks.
Netizen comments included:
“This drama is basically saying public schools are dangerous and only private ones are safe. That’s so wrong!”
“Why make public kindergartens look bad? This is offensive to teachers and parents who trust them.”
“KBS needs to fix this. Public education isn’t the problem here.”
The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations and the kindergarten teachers’ union also voiced strong opposition. They issued statements condemning the dialogue for distorting the image of public education and demanded an apology.
Production Team’s Apology
On May 2, 2025, the Queen’s House team posted a formal apology on the drama’s official KBS website. They acknowledged the controversy and expressed regret for the distress caused. The statement clarified that the line was not meant to belittle public institutions.
“We sincerely apologize for the controversy caused by a line in Episode 1 that viewers pointed out. In the drama, Kang Jae In sending her son Eun Ho to a public kindergarten was meant to reflect trust in such institutions. There was no intention to disparage public kindergartens.”
The team explained the context: the grandmother’s outburst was meant to show her emotional distress and flawed perspective, not a factual stance. They noted that Choi Ja Young’s character responds in the script with pride, indicating approval of the public kindergarten choice.
Actions Taken and Episode Removal
To address the backlash, the production team removed the first episode from all major platforms, including the KBS website, VOD services, and Wavve. They committed to editing out the problematic dialogue and reuploading the revised episode.
The apology added:
“We will delete the problematic lines and re-upload them on KBS homepage, VOD, and Wavve in the future. We apologize again for causing concern to viewers and workers at national and public kindergartens.”
The team also promised to be more cautious in the future. They vowed to consider the social impact of their content and avoid distorting the image of public education or institutions.
Impact on Public Education Perception
The controversy highlighted broader sensitivities around public versus private education in South Korea. Public kindergartens, funded by the government, are trusted by many families for their affordability and quality. However, private kindergartens, often more expensive, are sometimes perceived as prestigious among wealthier families.
Critics argued the drama’s line reinforced harmful stereotypes, potentially undermining public trust in state-run institutions. The kindergarten teachers’ union emphasized the need for media to portray public education fairly, noting that such portrayals influence societal attitudes.
Drama’s Reception and Ongoing Broadcast
Despite the controversy, Queen’s House has drawn attention for its intense plot and strong performances. The story centers on Kang Jae In, the eldest daughter of the fictional YL Group, and her husband, Hwang Ki Chan (played by Park Yoon Jae), a strategic planning director. The kidnapping of their son sets off a chain of events exposing family secrets and driving Jae In’s quest for justice.
The drama has maintained steady viewership, with its second episode airing on April 29, 2025. However, the backlash has put pressure on the production team to ensure future episodes avoid similar missteps. Fans have praised the cast, particularly Ham Eun Jung’s emotional portrayal, but some remain wary of the show’s handling of sensitive themes.
Broader Context of Media Responsibility
This incident is not the first time a K-drama has faced criticism for controversial content. In recent years, shows like Snowdrop and Joseon Exorcist sparked debates over historical inaccuracies and cultural insensitivity. The Queen’s House controversy underscores the importance of media accountability, especially in daily dramas that reach wide audiences.
The production team’s quick response and willingness to edit the episode have been seen as positive steps. However, some netizens remain skeptical, urging KBS to implement stricter script reviews to prevent future issues.
Current Status and Future Updates
As of May 3, 2025, the revised first episode of Queen’s House has not yet been reuploaded. The production team is reportedly working on the edits, with plans to restore the episode soon. KBS has not announced specific dates but assured viewers that the changes will address the concerns raised.
The drama continues to air weekdays on KBS2TV, with the team focusing on regaining viewer trust. The controversy has sparked discussions about media responsibility, and the show’s handling of future episodes will likely be closely watched.
CREDITS: mk.co.kr, KBS official website
