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JTBC drama sparks controversy for 'copycat murder' of psychiatrist

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The controversial scene from JTBC drama
The controversial scene from JTBC drama "SKY Castle," which features a doctor being threatened by a patient. Capture from JTBC

By Dong Sun-hwa

JTBC's ongoing TV series "SKY Castle" has ignited a controversy for allegedly "inciting" the murder of psychiatrist Lim Se-won.

The psychiatrist at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital located in Seoul, was stabbed to death by a psychiatric patient during the consultation on Monday. This incident prompted the Korean Medical Association to issue a press release on the following day, slamming the popular JTBC series.

"'SKY Castle,' a drama that centers on the education style of the upper class, recently aired a scene in which a patient chases after a doctor with a knife in his hand due to a grievance over his operation results ― this scene was ridiculously portrayed in the TV series," wrote the advocacy.

Pointing out that Lim's incident took place only a few days after the program was aired, the association added: "The suspect might not have imitated the scene, but it could leave a mistaken impression to the viewers that they could either verbally abuse or commit violence toward physicians as a means to protest against the result of the treatment. This type of material should be rooted out."

On the sixth episode of "SKY Castle" aired on Dec. 8, a patient with a lethal weapon threatened the doctor as he found the results of his operation dissatisfactory.

The doctor's association sent an official statement to the broadcast channel after its airing of the controversial episode, demanding an apology and rectification.

"We would like to express deep remorse for the drama that goes counter to the ongoing campaign, which calls for the eradication of violence against medical institutions," reads the statement.

Dozens of online users have also expressed their concerns, with many of them blaming the drama for giving rise to a "copycat crime."


Dong Sun-hwa sunhwadong@koreatimes.co.kr


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