{"id":710,"date":"2025-09-10T05:19:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T05:19:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/?p=710"},"modified":"2025-09-11T02:50:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T02:50:33","slug":"kim-yoo-jungs-new-drama-apologized-after-plagiarism-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/kim-yoo-jungs-new-drama-apologized-after-plagiarism-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"Kim Yoo Jung\u2019s New Drama Apologized After Plagiarism Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>TVING\u2019s upcoming series Dear X, led by Kim Yoo Jung and Kim Young Dae, introduced a launch poster that drew fast comparisons to the Chinese film The Devotion of Suspect X.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fans on social platforms pointed to the white paper background, the bold red lettering that read \u201cDear X,\u201d and a single eye peeking through a torn gap. Within a day, the debate moved from fan chatter to industry headlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-38924991 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-9.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"uag-image-711\" width=\"710\" height=\"435\" title=\"Screenshot (9)\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"img\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/kim-yoo-jungs-new-drama-apologized-after-plagiarism-claims\/#The_Official_Response\" title=\"The Official Response\">The Official Response<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/kim-yoo-jungs-new-drama-apologized-after-plagiarism-claims\/#What_%E2%80%9CDear_X%E2%80%9D_Is_About\" title=\"What \u201cDear X\u201d Is About\">What \u201cDear X\u201d Is About<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/kim-yoo-jungs-new-drama-apologized-after-plagiarism-claims\/#Why_Poster_Design_Matters_More_Than_Some_Might_Think\" title=\"Why Poster Design Matters More Than Some Might Think\">Why Poster Design Matters More Than Some Might Think<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/kim-yoo-jungs-new-drama-apologized-after-plagiarism-claims\/#Familiar_Problem_in_K-Drama_Marketing_Trends\" title=\"Familiar Problem in K-Drama Marketing Trends\">Familiar Problem in K-Drama Marketing Trends<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/kim-yoo-jungs-new-drama-apologized-after-plagiarism-claims\/#What_the_Apology_Achieves\" title=\"What the Apology Achieves\">What the Apology Achieves<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/kim-yoo-jungs-new-drama-apologized-after-plagiarism-claims\/#How_this_could_affect_Dear_X_at_launch\" title=\"How this could affect Dear X at launch\">How this could affect Dear X at launch<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/kim-yoo-jungs-new-drama-apologized-after-plagiarism-claims\/#What_To_Watch_Next\" title=\"What To Watch Next\">What To Watch Next<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Official_Response\"><\/span>The Official Response<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On September 9, a representative for <em>Dear X<\/em> acknowledged the \u201csimilarity to a particular reference,\u201d apologized, and confirmed the poster would be removed from use.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The team added that review procedures would be strengthened to avoid a repeat. In short, they recognized the issue, stopped using the image, and promised to do better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.sportschosun.com\/k-drama\/2025\/09\/official-dear-x-side-recognizes-similarity-to-105550\">Sports Chosun also reported<\/a> that production \u201crecognized the similarity\u201d and decided to discontinue the poster. The outlet described how online communities flagged similarities in composition and lettering style.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_%E2%80%9CDear_X%E2%80%9D_Is_About\"><\/span>What \u201cDear X\u201d Is About<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dear X is a thriller romance adapted from a webtoon. Kim Yoo Jung plays Baek Ah Jin, a top actress who hides a cruel streak while clawing her way to the top. Kim Young Dae plays Yoon Joon Seo, a man who sacrifices everything to protect her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Poster_Design_Matters_More_Than_Some_Might_Think\"><\/span>Why Poster Design Matters More Than Some Might Think<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Promotional art is often the first contact between a new drama and its audience. In a crowded market, a striking poster shapes expectations and buzz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When that image appears derivative, the conversation shifts from story and cast to questions about originality and ethics. The fallout can overshadow months of careful marketing. This has happened before in the Korean market, and it can dent trust faster than a lukewarm teaser ever could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Familiar_Problem_in_K-Drama_Marketing_Trends\"><\/span>Familiar Problem in K-Drama Marketing Trends<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Poster controversies are not new. In 2022, <strong>Little Women<\/strong> faced similar criticism over artwork that fans said echoed another design, and the team apologized. While every case is unique, the pattern is consistent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When audiences spot visual patterns, productions are pressured to respond quickly and transparently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_the_Apology_Achieves\"><\/span>What the Apology Achieves<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Speed matters. TVING\u2019s team moved to retire the image and acknowledge the similarity. That checks two important boxes for viewers who expect accountability. Clear language about improving review procedures also helps. It signals a process fix rather than a one-off apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the show is still weeks from release, there is time to rebuild the conversation around actual content rather than the poster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_this_could_affect_Dear_X_at_launch\"><\/span>How this could affect Dear X at launch<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Short-term noise may even raise awareness, but the wrong kind of attention can cap early word of mouth. The cast is a significant asset. Kim Yoo Jung has strong crossover appeal, and recent previews have landed well with drama fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the first episodes deliver tight writing and memorable character development, the show can quickly shift the narrative. A clean visual relaunch will help the audience focus on performances and story rather than poster discourse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_To_Watch_Next\"><\/span>What To Watch Next<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for a revised poster and a fresh round of teasers in the coming weeks. Expect interviews that steer conversation back to the plot and the central relationship. The current plan is still a November 6 premiere. If a new visual lands well, the controversy will likely fade as quickly as it arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more breaking Kpop and Kdrama coverage, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/\">SarangHero<\/a> for the latest news, quick explainers, and reviews.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TVING\u2019s upcoming series Dear X, led by Kim Yoo Jung and Kim Young Dae, introduced a launch poster that drew 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upcoming series Dear X, led by Kim Yoo Jung and Kim Young Dae, introduced a launch poster that drew 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