Novelist Accuses KBS TV Drama Iris of Plagiarism
Novelist Park Chul-ju has staged a legal battle against the producer of KBS TV's espionage drama, "Iris," claiming the blockbuster drama's scenario was copied from his novel.
In a suit filed with a Seoul court, Park, 42, accused the drama's writer of having plagiarized his novel "The Sun Never Rises on Mt. Fuji," saying 162 parts, including characters and key contents, are strikingly similar with his novel.
"Because of the plagiarism, I have sustained psychological damage and my plan to produce my novel into a drama has been disrupted," he said in the suit.
As to the similar content, he cited a North Korean nuclear weapon developer's seeking of asylum in the South and the attempt to detonate a nuclear weapon in central Seoul.
However, Taewon Entertainment, the producer of the drama, denied the allegation.
"We are going to strongly react to the allegations. We will file a counter defamation suit," a Taewon official said.
The Wednesday/Thursday evening drama has enjoyed rising viewer numbers, with last week's rating posting 35 percent.
Actors Lee Byung-hun
Dec 8, 2009