The tvN drama "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" is currently facing backlash for allegedly plagiarizing a letter written by the late Jonghyun, a member of SHINee. They were recently under fire for scenes of sexual harassment.
The episode featuring parts of the letter aired on June 20. There is a conversational exchange with Go Moon Young (played by Seo Ye Ji) and Moon Gang Tae (played by Kim Soo Hyun) during their first meeting. In the said scene, Gang Tae sees Moon Young smoking, and he informs her that they are in a nonsmoking zone. "This is a nonsmoking zone. Please put it out."
Moon Young replies, saying, "Do you believe in fate? Fate isn't anything special. If you appear when I need you, then that's fate."
Fans of the late Jonghyun recognized that line instantly and are accusing the writers of the drama that the line was copied from a letter the late singer wrote to fans during a solo concert. The excerpt reads, "So what I'm saying is that I don't think fate is anything special. What we are is fate."
Many fans are demanding the writers and producers of the show to address the issue. Fans have started trending the hashtag #Address_The_Plagiarism_of_Jonghyun's Letter_In It's Okay.
Some netizens have decided to stick up for the show, saying that it might just be a coincidence that the lines are so similar.
This is not the first time the show has gone under fire. In the fourth episode, viewers called out numerous scenes that could be seen as "sexually harassing". One scene shows Moon Young raising the medical center's locker room and running her hands up and down Gang Tae's body without consent.
Another scene has Kwon Min Suk (played by Kwak Dong Yeon) having a strip show, saying that the thought of someone looking at him so intently gets him excited.
He also goes around in a large coat wearing nothing underneath, flashing his private parts. This leads Moon Young to call him "teeny-weeny", saying, "Is that what people call a teeny-weeny weenie? Because it's so small?" Kwak Dong Yeon replied that it's cold and that's why it's so small.
In one scene, Moon Young is seen yelling at Gang Tae, yelling at him in the middle of the medical center and asking if he wants to sleep with her. "Why are you being so cold? You were so passionate that night. Yes, I'm horny, I'll admit that. Do you want to sleep with me?"
People were also upset at the mention of a "Morning Sun Club", which allegedly refers to the ongoing Burning Sun scandal involved former BIGBANG member Seungri, as well as other celebrities in the Korean industry. There is also a scene in which Moon Young offers to be in a sexual relationship with a literary critic in exchange for good reviews on her book. There is also a scene in with Moon Young asks Gang Tae if her touching his hair turns him on.
People are growing frustrated with how problematic the show gets with each episode. Many are also troubled by how sexually harassing scenes is made to look humorous. Some viewers have even said that it's embarrassing and disgusting to watch.
In regard to the sexual harassment claims, the production team has stated they will look into it. They have not commented on accusations concerning Jonghyun's letter.
