The King's Warden, directed by Jang Hang-jun, which has surpassed 10 million viewers and is enjoying box office success, has been embroiled in a plagiarism controversy, and attention is focusing on the specific similar scenes alleged by the bereaved family.
MBN reported exclusively on the 9th that the bereaved family claimed some settings and scenes in The King's Warden are substantially similar to the drama script "Eom Heung-do," which A, who died in 2019, wrote during his lifetime.
According to the report, A's bereaved family recently sent a certified letter to the production company requesting an explanation that discloses the script's creative background and source materials. A reportedly wrote a drama script centered on "Eom Heung-do" during his lifetime, but it was not actually produced.
A representative similar scene the bereaved family cited is a scene of Danjong eating. In The King's Warden, Danjong eats an olgaengi soup at Eom Heung-do's suggestion and praises its taste. By contrast, the drama script "Eom Heung-do" is said to depict Danjong eating buckwheat jelly while delivering similar lines. They pointed out in particular that both developments show Danjong initially refusing food but gradually opening his heart and expressing gratitude.
Another similarity mentioned is the scene in which Eom Heung-do saves Danjong from jumping off a cliff. Both works are said to include a setting in which Danjong, in despair, attempts an extreme choice and Eom Heung-do prevents it.
Similarities were also raised in character settings. They argued it is similar that Danjong's palace maid, known in actual history to have been several people, was set as a single character named "Maehwa," and that Eom Heung-do's family, historically known to have had multiple children, was adapted as an only son.
In addition, critics pointed to similar sequences such as Eom Heung-do's son being taken to the government office and Eom Heung-do conveying Danjong's situation to the villagers.
However, the bereaved family reportedly expressed that they want the original author's name reflected in the work rather than seeking legal disputes with the production company.
In response, The King's Warden production company Onda Works flatly denied the plagiarism allegations. On the 10th the production company said, "The King's Warden is an original work based on historical facts, and the entire creative process was documented in detail, so this can be proven," adding, "There was no plagiarism of other works during the planning, development or production process."
The production company emphasized, "Claims of plagiarism are baseless," and said, "We will respond firmly in all processes, including legal procedures, to such claims," outlining its future response policy.
Meanwhile, The King's Warden is a historical drama film that depicts the deposed young king Danjong spending his final days at Cheongryeongpo in Yeongwol, meeting Eom Heung-do and villagers, and it continues to draw audiences, approaching 12 million viewers.
[Photo] Courtesy of SHOWBOX
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