MBC has apologized and deleted the first teaser for its upcoming Fri–Sat drama To The Moon after viewers said it trafficked in racist caricatures of Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures. The network acknowledged it “failed to consider the perspectives of other cultures” and promised greater care with future promotions.
What exactly happened?
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MBC released a short promo styled as a parody of 1980s–1990s Korean ice-cream commercials (notably the Screw Bar ads with the “It looks strange~ (이상하게 생겼네~)” jingle). In the clip, leads appear in “Arabian”-inspired outfits, dancing and playing up genie-and-lamp motifs.
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Within hours, international fans—especially from Arab and South Asian communities—called out the imagery as reductive and racially insensitive. The video was then removed from official channels.
MBC’s official statement (English translation)
“The recently released teaser for Let’s Go to the Moon was produced as a parody of popular ice-cream commercials from the 1980s–1990s, inspired by the drama’s setting at a confectionery company. In this process, we failed to sufficiently consider people from other cultures. We have deleted the video, and going forward we will be more careful and prudent so as not to cause discomfort.”
Key lines in Korean
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“본 드라마의 스토리가 제과 회사를 배경으로 한 점에 착안하여, 1980~90년대의 유명 아이스크림 광고를 패러디해 제작하게 됐다.”
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“이 과정에서 타 문화권에 대한 입장을 고려하지 못한 부분이 있었다. 현재 해당 영상은 모두 삭제했다.”
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“앞으로는 이런 부분에 좀 더 세심하고 신중함을 기해서 불편함이 없도록 주의를 기울이겠다.”
Why the teaser drew criticism
Even as a nostalgia parody, the promo blended “exotic” costume cues, genie-lamp props, flute motifs, bindi-style adornments and comic dancing that many viewers saw as stereotyping rather than homage—especially incongruous given the show’s premise (which is not about Middle Eastern cultures). Coverage documenting the online backlash and specific examples of the imagery appeared across K-media and international outlets.
What MBC has done so far
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Deleted the teaser from official channels.
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Issued an apology admitting a “lack of consideration” for other cultures and pledging more careful review of future materials.
Timeline (KST)
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Aug 20 — Teaser posts; social backlash escalates.
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Aug 21 (morning) — MBC states the press and removes the video.
About To The Moon (aka 달까지 가자 / Let’s Go to the Moon)
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Premiere: Friday, Sept 19, 2025, MBC (Fri–Sat) at 9:50 p.m. KST.
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Cast: Lee Sun-bin, Ra Mi-ran, Jo A-ram, Kim Young-dae.
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Premise: Based on Jang Ryu-jin’s novel, it follows three working-class women who, unable to get by on their salaries, jump into cryptocurrency investing—a gritty survival story with dark comedy.
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Creative team: Director Oh Da-young, writer Na Yoon-chae, production Bon Factory; 12 episodes.
Note: No global streaming platform has been officially announced in the coverage cited here. When (and if) a platform is confirmed, that will come via MBC or distributor announcements. Wikipedia
FAQ: reader questions answered
Did MBC publish a handwritten letter or a long website post?
No—this was an official press statement distributed to outlets (not a handwritten letter). Multiple reputable Korean media outlets published the statement verbatim.
Is the teaser still online?
Not on official MBC channels. Media reports confirm it was deleted following the apology.
What exactly was being parodied?
1980s–1990s Korean ice-cream commercials—specifically Screw Bar ads known for the “이상하게 생겼네~” hook. Critics argued that carrying those visual gags over with “Arabian” dress and genie tropes reads as caricature in 2025.
Does the drama have anything to do with Middle Eastern culture?
No. The story is set around a confectionery company and the lives of three office workers who get into crypto investing.
Has the controversy changed the premiere date?
As of now, outlets still list Sept 19, 2025 at 9:50 p.m. KST on MBC. There’s no official change reported in the cited coverage.
Will there be a new teaser?
MBC hasn’t announced a replacement teaser in the reports referenced here; the network has only pledged to handle future materials more carefully.
Why this matters (brief analysis)
K-dramas now launch to global audiences. Nostalgia parodies that once played domestically can clash with broader cultural contexts when the imagery leans on Orientalist or mix-and-match “exotic” signifiers. The swift takedown and apology suggest Korean broadcasters are increasingly responsive to international viewers’ concerns—especially when a show’s subject matter has nothing to do with the cultures being lampooned.
