"King the Land," a romantic comedy-drama from South Korea currently streaming on Netflix worldwide, has ignited outrage among Arab audiences due to its depiction of an Arab character played by Indian actor Anupam Tripathi.
The character, Prince Samir, is shown donning traditional Arab attire while sitting at a bar in what appears to be a nightclub, consuming alcohol and surrounded by women. He is portrayed as arrogant, flirtatious, and exceedingly wealthy, leading viewers to accuse the producers of perpetuating offensive and unfair stereotypes.
One particular scene depicts the prince arriving at a hotel where he receives a gift of a traditional Korean knot bracelet, described as green because it supposedly symbolizes abundance, sanctity, and paradise in the Arab world.
Criticism has also been directed at the decision to cast an Indian actor in the role of an Arab character.
In response to the backlash, the show's creators stated that there was no intention to satirize or distort any specific culture, emphasizing their respect for diverse cultures and their commitment to being more attentive during the production process.
Despite the controversy, "King the Land" currently ranks as the second-most-watched show on Netflix in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to Netflix charts.
