K-Drama “Queen of Tears” is breaking viewership records, but the show’s success is overshadowed by resurfacing plagiarism allegations against its Scriptwriter, Park Ji Eun. Viewers remain divided.

Starring A-listers Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won, “Queen of Tears” has taken Korea by storm. Just three episodes in, the tvN drama has reached an impressive 9.5% viewer rating, the highest for the network ever. The show’s global reach is undeniable thanks to Netflix, but this international spotlight has also brought unwanted attention to Park Ji Eun‘s past controversies.

Celebrated Scriptwriter, Questionable History

Park Ji Eun is a household name in Korea, known for churning out hit dramas. However, her impressive track record is marred by persistent plagiarism accusations. Despite never being found guilty in court, the controversies continue to follow her.

A Trail of Allegations

In 2013, Park Ji Eun’s “My Love From The Star” faced scrutiny for allegedly copying specific scenes from the American show “New Amsterdam.” The controversy extended beyond visuals, with claims that Park Ji Eun’s script mirrored written instructions for the opening sequence of the American series.

Another accusation came from Kang Kyung Ok, the author of the web novel “Seolhee.” Kang alleged that Park Ji Eun lifted eight key plot points from her novel, which was in development since 2003. While the lawsuit was ultimately dropped after a settlement, the claims cast a shadow over Park Ji Eun’s work.

Crash Landing on Plagiarism?

More recently, in 2019, a scriptwriting apprentice accused Park Ji Eun of stealing the central plot of “Crash Landing On You.” The apprentice claimed their story, “Unique Romance,” featuring a North Korean soldier and a South Korean paragliding accident survivor falling in love, was stolen after being submitted to a scriptwriting contest judged by Park Ji Eun. Though the apprentice’s claims were never proven, and Park Ji Eun sued for defamation, the legal battle took a toll on the apprentice, leading to a suicide attempt. This incident garnered significant public sympathy for the alleged victim, further tarnishing Park Ji Eun’s reputation.

Divided Viewers: Talent vs. Controversy

While Park Ji Eun remains uncharged, these repeated accusations have divided viewers. Some, drawn by the stellar cast, are willing to overlook the controversy. Others, however, express strong reservations, refusing to support a writer accused of plagiarism.

Online forums like theqoo are buzzing with debate. Some commenters condemn Park Ji Eun’s actions, fearing continued support will only embolden her to plagiarize again. Others express frustration, unaware of the past scandals and feeling duped by the seemingly original plot. There’s also a sense of disappointment from viewers who had to make way for “Queen of Tears” with the cancellation of their favorite show.

• “I love the cast, but I don’t think I should be watching the show.”
• “Sigh. The scriptwriter is the worst plagiarizer ever, but I guess people will still watch because the cast lineup is stellar. I’m not going to watch it, though.”
• “For me, it’s the people who know about the scriptwriter’s past but still watch the show… If we keep consuming her work, she will keep plagiarizing—even if this particular show might be her original.”
• “I knew the ratings would go up… but I’m doing all I can to not watch. It seems, though, that not a lot of people are aware of the past scandals. Light K-Drama fans don’t seem to know about what happened. Like, a lot of the viewers don’t seem to know who Park Ji Eun is.”
• “I’m skipping this show because of the scriptwriter… and I’m pissed because it canceled another program that I do watch. WTF.”

The Verdict: Ratings vs. Reputation

“Queen of Tears” may be a ratings juggernaut, but its success is undeniably tainted by Park Ji Eun’s past. Whether viewers choose to prioritize the captivating story or take a stand against alleged plagiarism remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure, the drama surrounding the drama is far from over.

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