Credit: tvN
Star screenwriter Park Ji Eun, known for popular dramas like My Love from the Star, Legend of the Blue Sea and Crash Landing on You, has teamed up with director Kim Hee Won of Little Women, Vincenzo for their new project, Queen of Tears . However, the drama has been clouded by resurfacing plagiarism allegations against Park Ji Eun.
Credit: SBS, tvN
Park has faced accusations of plagiarism three times, most recently with Crash Landing on You . In 2017, screenwriter Park Ki Hyun claimed Legend of the Blue Sea stole heavily from his unproduced screenplay. However, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors cleared Park Ji Eun as they found no evidence of copyright infringement in the case.
Similar accusations arose in 2013 with My Love from the Star . Cartoonist Kang Kyung Ok alleged the drama copied her comic book series. While Park denied ever reading the comics, stating she only learned of its existence through media reports, public criticism remained.
Crash Landing on You also sparked similar concerns in 2019. An aspiring writer claimed similarities between their script’s logline and the drama’s plot. Park Ji Eun’s representatives took legal action against the writer, and the writer even expressed suicidal thoughts online for being under immense pressure from the lawsuit.
Queen of Tears has garnered mixed reactions with the ongoing debate. Some viewers are disappointed with the cast’s involvement in a project associated with plagiarism. Others, however, look forward to the potential acting performances and entertainment value the drama offers.
“Park Ji Eun’s plagiarism controversy didn’t just begin with Crash Landing on You. She’s been accused of plagiarism for every single one of her works. It’s disappointing to see people who are always the fastest to share news articles about new casting announcements seemingly haven’t noticed this controversy at all. They’re just posting clips of Queen of Tears and expressing excitement for the show. I really don’t understand it. Seeing those tweets still getting retweeted is deeply concerning.”
박지은 표절 논란이 전작 사랑의 불시착부터 있던 것도 아니고 쓰는 것마다 표절인데 새 캐스팅 기사는 누구보다 빠르게 가져오시는 분들이 이 논란 하나 못 보신 채 눈물의 여왕 클립 따고 소비하고 저는 도무지 이해가 가질 않네요~ 이런 트윗들이 꾸준히 알티를 타는 지금도 그러시니 참담합니다 — ໊ (@wanichive) March 9, 2024
