The plagiarism allegations surrounding the film "The King's Warden" have been settled following a court decision.
On the 23rd, the 21st Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Shin Myung-hee) dismissed the application for a film screening injunction filed against co-production companies OndaWorks and BA Entertainment, as well as distributor Showbox, by the bereaved family of the scenario writer for the drama "Eom Heung-do".
The court found it difficult to locate similarities between the scenario submitted by the bereaved family and the film "The King's Warden". It also determined that there are essential differences in their creative expression methods.
The court stated, "While some similarities can be found in the materials and settings between the bereaved family's scenario and 'The King's Warden,' the overall plot and main themes are completely different," adding, "It is difficult to recognize similarities in the unique and inherent characteristics of the bereaved family's scenario."
It also explained the difference that while the bereaved family's scenario centers on the emotional theme of "confucian loyal narrative," "The King's Warden" focuses on the interaction, change, and growth of Danjong, Eom Heung-do, and the villagers.
Furthermore, the court mentioned that there was no data to prove the possibility that director Jang Hang-jun, who revised the scenario for "The King's Warden," had access to the bereaved family's scenario.
Previously, "The King's Warden" became embroiled in allegations of plagiarizing the script of the drama "Eom Heung-do," which aired in the 2000s. The bereaved family of the drama 'Eom Heung-do' writer claimed that the film plagiarized the drama scenario and requested to halt its screening and OTT (video streaming service) availability. With this court ruling, the production company of "The King's Warden" is able to screen the film on airplanes or ships, provide it through OTT and DVDs, and export it overseas.
Released in February, "The King's Warden" recorded approximately 16.88 million cumulative viewers, ranking second of all time behind "The Admiral: Roaring Currents," which was released in 2014 with 17.61 million viewers.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)