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The novelist, a 65-year-old man named Choi Jong Rim, claimed that the film's plot is too similar to that of his book, 'Korean Memories', which was published in 2003. The writer has gone so far as to take legal action, bringing suit against several of the parties involved in the movie's creation. 
 

Director Choi Dong Hoon addressed the alleged plagiarism controversy on JTBC's 'News Room', which broadcast today. He said, "I was waiting for the lawsuit. Since [Choi Jong Rim] was only talking to media outlets and not bringing suit, someone has to distinguish between right and wrong. I didn't even know the book existed. I haven't read it yet. When I heard talks of plagiarism, I told the producer to buy it and bring it to me. There wasn't one in Seoul, so I bought it at this secondhand shop in Gyeonggi Province. I told him to read it and tell me about it," explaining how he reacted after plagiarism rumors reached his ears. 

The director continued, "I am upset, angry, and under stress. I need time to recover from this wound," expressing his frustration.