Recently, writer Lee Jung Joo of play '9th Exit' accused tvN drama '9th Boy' of plagiarism and sent in a request that an injunction be made regarding the prohibition of its broadcast.  However, tvN spoke up, denying that the drama had been plagiarized.

On October 2, writer Lee Jung Joo told My Daily, "On October 2, I requested the broadcasting prohibition of '9th Boy.'  After the report relating to plagiarism came out earlier this month, I was contacted by the public relations team, which requested a meeting, so I met up with them.  However, at the spot, the producer and writer did not come, and it was strange that the writer who personally wrote the script was absent.  I then appointed a lawyer.

tvN's side said to me, 'When you look at the copyright law, similarity in the ideas is not considered plagiarism.'  I was considerably frustrated.  They did not apologize and their opinion did not change.  I know that the conclusion of '9th Boy' is next week.  If we get a schedule for the trial beforehand this could all be processed fast, so I've petitioned for a trial schedule to be set quickly. When I met with tvN, they said they were preparing to apply for an injunction and told me they would continue on.  I was planning to dramatize a repeat performance of my play and put on the show in 2016.  I created a new management group and already entered into adaptation work."

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On the same day, a tvN rep told TV Report, "'9th Boy' is not a plagiarized work of '9th Exit.'  We never evaded a meeting with writer Lee Jung Joo.  The truth is different."

The rep revealed they did contact the writer after the plagiarism speculations were posted on-line.  The rep said, "[Writer Lee Jung Joo] desired a meeting with the production team, so we were preparing it.  However, while we were arranging the time and location, communication from '9th Exit' was slow. It turns out she had decided to meet with us with a law firm attorney.  That side gave in the notice for legal action first.

Apologizing in itself suggests an acknowledgment of plagiarism.  We cannot apologize because we did not plagiarize.  The side that is claiming plagiarism needs to gather material and prove it is plagiarism, but it seems they're just reacting to the situation with emotions."

Producer Kim Young Hoon had also stated that no one on his production team had ever seen the play or referred to it.