Seoul Drama Awards 2023 Criticized for Including THIS Controversial Chinese Series
The public is reportedly disappointed at the upcoming Seoul Drama Awards 2023 for including a TV show that was suspected of plagiarizing a hit K-drama.
As the organization gears up for another exciting ceremony, the competition unveiled the list of nominees for this year's awards night.
Prior to the highly anticipated event, the Seoul Drama Awards Organizing Committee announces the nominees for the international competition, consisting of 24 series and 30 individual candidates.
Joining K-dramas like "Reborn Rich," Anna," and "Extraordinary Attoryney Woo," China's "Meet Yourself" was included in the Best Drama Award for Series.
Aired in January 2023, the C-drama was directed by Ding Zi Guang and headlined by top stars Li Xian and Liu Yifei. The romance-life drama focuses on a woman who left the city and moved to the countryside. With her new life, she unexpectedly met a man sparking a beautiful romance.
As the series premiered, viewers noticed the similarity of "Meet Yourself" to the hit Korean series "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha," which stars Shin Min Ah and Kim Seon Ho.
Seoul Drama Awards 2023 Faces Backlash from for Including C-Drama 'Meet Yourself'
The 18th Seoul International Drama Awards (SDA) awarded Best TV Series to "Meet Yourself." However, it gained mixed reactions from viewers, especially Koreans.
While some congratulated the team behind the C-drama, others criticized the organization for giving an award to the show that was suspected of copying "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha."
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As noted by a news outlet, fans questioned the Seoul Drama Awards Organizing Committee for honoring a controversial TV series.
- "They gave an award to a drama like that? I can't believe it."
- "Did they give the drama an award without watching it carefully? Please do the screening properly."
- "It has already been controversial for copying 'Hometown Cha Cha Cha' since before."
Meanwhile, "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" was released in 2021 and created a huge buzz at the time. Despite the mania it created, viewers are looking forward to seeing if the rom-com K-drama will return with a sequel.
As of this writing, tvN and drama officials are yet to confirm whether there will be "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" season 2.
Why Was 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha' Huge Hit?
Directed by Yoo Je Won of "Crash Landing on You," "Hi Bye, Mama!" and "The King: Eternal Monarch," "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" is a light rom-com series that depicts the journey of Yoon Hye Jin, played by Shin Min Ah. She was a city-based dentist but chose to live in the seaside village where she used to visit as a young girl.
This was where she learned that the town lacked dentists, so she put up her own clinic. In the small seaside town, Hye Jin met the free-spirited Hong Do Shik, played by Kim Seon Ho.
Besides the love story, "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" also served as a healing drama for viewers as it also tackled life stories.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Missing 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha'? Play These Songs To Feel the Gongjin Vibe [Updated 2022]
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