According to media reports, over 100 animal rights groups have sued KBS and “The King Of Tears, Lee Bang Won” for the recent controversy involving the death of a horse on the set of the drama.
Last night, The Korean Animal Welfare Association (KARA) released footage of what appears to be animal abuse on the set of the drama. The clips in question show a scene of the character Lee Bang Won’s father Lee Seong Gye falling dramatically as he rides a horse. The horse takes a head dive and lands on its side. Due to the massive controversy that ensued after the clip circulated the web, KBS issued a formal apology and stated the horse died a week after the incident.
The animal rights groups filed a complaint with the Yeongdeungpo Police Station on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act in relation to the scene.
The animal rights groups explained in a statement that the horse’s neck hit the ground at 90 degrees and that no one bothered to check up on the horse after the accident, adding, ‘The horse, who suffered a serious irreversible injury, suffered from aftereffects and eventually died a week later.’
Among the animal rights groups that filed a complaint was KARA. In a statement, they expressed their shock at the fact that such methods are still being used in Korea in 2022.
Meanwhile, earlier today, KBS issued a statement to announce that “The King Of Tears, Lee Bang Won” episode 13 and 14 will not be airing this week and that the special broadcast set for the week after has also been canceled.
Despite their apology, k-netizens continued to express their rage over the incident and the fact that CGI wasn’t used here. Many continue to demand the show to be canceled with various complaints and petitions filed to KBS’s bulletin board. Added to that, many k-netizens are not believing KBS’s statement that claims the horse got back up after diving in head first. KBS’s statement only angered netizens and animal lovers even more. Many believe a mere apology statement cannot resolve the issue that happened on the set.
Source: (A)
