Moral Panic - Joseon Exorcist

Moral panics are irrational fears or threats that has been spread and exaggerated by the media.

Stanley Cohen suggested that there are 5 stages in the construction of moral panic:

Concern – an event sparks social anxiety.

Hostility – a subculture is seen as ‘folk devils’ who are looked upon with hostility.

Consensus – fear of this subculture becomes the dominant narrative in media and social discussion.

Disproportionality – The threat is exaggerated

Volatility - A societal change is made

                        A moral panic emerges and disappears suddenly (often when another moral panic takes its place)

Case Study - Joseon Exorcist (2021)

Joseon Exorcist is a Korean historical-supernatural television series about a king and his two sons fighting evil spirits to save Joseon (old Korea).

Concern – Joseon Exorcist sparked a controversy after its first two episodes aired. It got cancelled by both Korean and Chinese audiences over the inclusion of Chinese props and historical distortion.

Hostility – Audiences were accusing the staff and actors/actresses who worked on the drama of cultural appropriation and historical distortion. People who worked on the drama were seen as 'Folk Devils.' They were hugely criticised to the point that the broadcast station and the main casts had to upload public apologies.

Consensus – There were concerns that international viewers and children may get the wrong impression and information about Korean history if they watch the drama.

Disproportionality – The controversy got worse after a formal petition was created to remove Joseon Exorcist from SBS‘s broadcasting schedule on Korea's Blue House official website. The petitions quickly became a hot topic and every Korean news outlet were reporting on it. Shortly, the number of participants increased to over 150,000. 

Volatility – Four days after its launch, broadcaster SBS confirmed it was pulling the plug on the show, after airing just two of its 16 planned episodes. However this created another Moral Panic as many viewers were disappointed by the news and petition to bring Joseon Exorcist to Netflix was made with the reason so the staff and crew's hard work for one year are not wasted.

Articles: 

https://www.koreaboo.com/news/petition-joseon-exorcist-stop-airing-signatures/

https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210325000951

https://www.soompi.com/article/1461217wpp/sbs-permanently-cancels-joseon-exorcist-after-2-episodes-due-to-historical-distortion-controversy