The new Korean drama To the Moon (달까지 가자) has attracted heavy attention, but not all of it is positive. Before even airing, the show became the center of a heated debate.
The reason was not its cast, story, or theme at first. Instead, it came from a short teaser video that MBC released, which many viewers quickly criticized. This moment changed how people looked at the drama before the first episode even reached the screen.
The drama itself is far from ordinary. It tells the story of three female office workers who struggle with low pay, dead-end jobs, and the weight of living in modern South Korea. These women are portrayed as part of the “dirt spoon” generation, a phrase often used to describe young people without family privilege or financial stability.
They work hard but still find it almost impossible to survive the rising costs of housing and daily life. Out of desperation, they turn to cryptocurrency investments, chasing the dream of big profits. The show uses the phrase “to the moon” in direct connection with this crypto slang.
In online markets, “to the moon” means the hope that a coin’s price will skyrocket. This is exactly what the characters in the series want their lives to do—rise high and escape their financial struggles.
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K-Drama’s Cultural Sensitivity Problem
But the release of the teaser gave the drama a very different kind of attention. Many viewers felt the video included scenes that mocked or oversimplified Middle Eastern culture. The clip showed outfits, settings, and styles that critics described as cheap caricatures.
Comments online quickly labeled it offensive. Both global viewers and Korean viewers found the teaser uncomfortable and out of place in 2025.
MBC removed the teaser almost immediately. The network also released an apology. The production team explained that the teaser was meant to be a parody of an old Korean ice cream ad.
While that nostalgic reference made sense domestically, it failed outside of Korea. The apology statement admitted that the team did not consider the wider impact. It was a reminder that dramas today are no longer limited to local broadcasts—within hours, everything is shared globally.
This was not the first time Korean entertainment faced accusations of cultural insensitivity. Similar cases have happened with other dramas and even K-pop acts.
The problem seems to be that creators often think from a local point of view first, then realize too late how their work is judged overseas. It raises questions about how well the industry is adapting to its global audience.
The Weight of the To the Moon KDrama Controversy
The To the Moon Kdrama controversy highlights a bigger issue. Korea’s entertainment industry has grown into a global powerhouse, but its systems are still evolving. Many recent series have faced criticism.
Some, like Joseon Exorcist, were even canceled after only two episodes. Others, like Mr. Queen or The King: Eternal Monarch, tried to survive backlash but could not escape the hit to their reputation.
With To the Moon, the apology seems to have calmed the immediate noise, but the fact that it is a 100% pre-produced series means the creators cannot change anything that is already filmed.
The story, humor, and tone are set. The risk is that when episodes air, viewers may point out more problems that were overlooked earlier. MBC has no ability to rewrite or edit major parts of the drama now. This makes the official release date, September 19, 2025, even more critical.
The production scale of the drama is high. It brings together MBC, CJ ENM, and Bon Factory, which signals strong investment and faith in its success.
The show’s cast also raises attention. Lee Sun-bin returns to MBC after a long break. Ra Mi-ran, well respected in both comedic and dramatic roles, adds veteran strength. Younger actors like Jo A-ram and Kim Young-dae bring energy, with Kim already known from other popular works.
Yet the heart of the drama is not just the romance or comedy. It is about money—more exactly, survival when money feels always out of reach. Cryptocurrency becomes both a plot driver and a metaphor.
For the characters, investing in Ethereum is not just speculation. It is escape, a last card to play when all else fails. The drama calls itself a “hyper-realism survival story,” and that description feels accurate given how directly it connects with young people’s struggles today.
Global Platforms Hesitate Amid Controversy
The controversy might hurt international distribution. For now, the show is set to stream locally on Wavve, but no deal has been made for a global streaming service.
Big names like Netflix or Disney+ may hesitate to buy it until they see public reaction. In today’s climate, platforms are highly cautious. One wrong step with cultural content can lead to boycotts, petitions, and trending hashtags. The delay in securing an international deal may be linked directly to this caution.
At the same time, the story itself holds global appeal. Economic stress, rising costs of living, and risky financial choices are themes that many people understand beyond Korea.
The controversy may overshadow this at first, but if the characters resonate with viewers, the drama may still succeed. Much depends on how balanced the show is between light comedy and serious social commentary.
A Lesson for Korea’s Global Entertainment
The To the Moon Kdrama controversy is both a warning and a lesson. On one hand, it shows the dangers of ignoring cultural sensitivity in a global market.
On the other hand, it highlights just how closely people are watching Korean dramas worldwide. What once played as a simple domestic parody thirty years ago is now judged by audiences across continents.
Whether the drama overcomes this rocky start depends on the reactions after its premiere. If the writing feels honest and relatable, and if the characters feel human in their struggles, the controversy may fade in memory.
But if viewers detect more bias, stereotypes, or tone-deaf humor, the backlash could grow. The drama stands as a real-time case study of how Korea’s entertainment industry is still adjusting to its dual role: telling local stories while facing the judgment of global audiences.
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Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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