Plagiarism is easily detected online because there are applications that run through an article that is just one click away. A die-hard fan can easily spot if their idol or favorite celebrity's letter is being replicated.
This recently happened to "It's Okay Not To Be Okay" after SHAWOLs (SHINee's fandom name) recognized a quote used in the ongoing show. Fans think the drama used the late Jonghyun's words without proper credit, and now they want an explanation. Other, however, are calling it a coincidence
It's not rocket science to think that "It's Okay To Not Be Okay drama" aims to spread awareness on mental health and how mental illness can affect one's outlook in life and the challenges they have to face the moment they wake up and face the world. However, no matter how careful the producers have been, there will be alleged lapses that need to be addressed.
From the third episode, viewers have complained about why the show allowed a "sexual harassment" scene (where Kim Soo Hyun went topless in the locker room). According to the audience, reactions wouldn't be the same if it happened the other way around. They found it offensive that the staff was touched without consent and find it invasive.
This time around, the drama is facing another drawback. The show is accused of plagiarizing an excerpt from the letter of the late K-pop star, Jonghyun. Here is the excerpt from Jonghyun's letter, which he addressed to his fans during his solo concert:
"So what I'm saying is... I don't think fate is anything special. What we are is fate."
In the fourth episode, online communities and SHAWOLs engaged in an online debate whether the line was plagiarized or not, which resulted in bad publicity for the drama creators.
The scene is when Kang Tae saw Mun Yeong smoking. He then said to her, "This is a non-smoking zone. Please put that out."
She replied, "Do you believe in fate? Fate is nothing special. If you appear when I need you, that's fate."
SHINee's fans are not letting this go without crediting their beloved Jonghyun, who tragically passed away on December 18, 2017. In SHAWOLs' defense, they simply want the producers and writers to address the issue and give credit when credit is due.
However, as of writing, the drama hasn't released a statement in regard to this matter yet. The hashtag "#address the plagirism_of Jonghyun's letter_in it's okay" has been all over Korea.
This type of controversy could significantly affect the ratings of the drama locally unless this is settled.
"It's Okay to Not Be Okay" airs on tvN every weekend at 9:00 p.m. KST.
Stay tuned for more updates.
