Following the 2024 Baeksang Arts Awards, where “My Dearest” clinched the Daesang, controversy has erupted over allegations of plagiarism against the drama, drawing comparisons to the classic film “Gone With The Wind.”
Netizens on the online community “theqoo” raised concerns about the similarities between “My Dearest” and “Gone With The Wind,” highlighting resemblances in characters and key scenes. For instance, the female lead Gil-chae’s (Ahn Eun-jin) behaviour and romantic entanglements bear a striking resemblance to Scarlett from “Gone With The Wind.” Similarly, the male lead Jang Hyun (Namkoong Min) shares characteristics with Rhett, the male protagonist from the classic film.
Key scenes, such as war breaking out during a party and the portrayal of characters affected by war, were also noted as reminiscent of “Gone With The Wind.”
In response to these accusations, “My Dearest” screenwriter Hwang Jin-young previously admitted to drawing inspiration from “Gone With The Wind” to craft the romantic narrative of the drama. However, netizens expressed dissatisfaction with this explanation, suggesting that the acknowledgement came too late in the face of controversy.
Moreover, legal implications are looming over “My Dearest” as it could face plagiarism lawsuits related to the classic film. Although the novel’s copyright has expired, the film adaptation’s rights remain intact.
Both Baeksang Arts Awards and the “My Dearest” production team have yet to address the plagiarism accusations and potential legal consequences. The controversy surrounding “My Dearest” continues to spark debates and discussions among viewers and industry observers.
