Copycat "Heirs From The Stars" To Be Dubbed In Korean

A Chinese drama that is said to be a mash-up of very popular two k-dramas will try to market that drama hybrid to a Korean audience. The drama known as "The Heirs From The Stars" is being dubbed in Korean. And the drama's producers are looking a Korean singer to perform the theme song.

How did this happen?

K-dramas are very popular in China and that has led many Chinese production companies to wonder why they can't successfully compete. In March 2014, Chinese government officials met to discuss why China was not creating dramas as popular as the k-drama "You Who Came From The Stars?" That drama starring Kim Soo Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun was wildly popular in China inspiring trends that ranged from viewers eating the character's favorite foods to buying Jun Ji Hyun's lipstick.

But the best way to compete with k-dramas may not be to copy them.

Recently a Chinese production company tried to create a trend-inspiring drama by merging the plots of hit k-dramas. Apparently feeling no shame about their lack of originality, the drama's producers called their series "The Heirs From The Stars." The title alone implied that it merged the plots of "You Who Came From The Stars" and "The Heirs," which starred Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye.

 The 10-episode mash-up about ill-fated lovers began airing on the Chinese drama website iQIYI on Sept. 19. It featured lovers who met centuries ago but were parted through fate and then were fated to meet again. The drama's producers were naturally accused of plagiarism but denied it.

During a press conference the drama's director Kang Jo Han said that the plot of his drama was decided before either of the two k-dramas aired. He said that the title and the plot were derived from literature, although he did admit the title was designed to draw public attention.

The drama not only faced plagiarism charges but it didn't get the best reviews, with viewers citing poor production values.

HB Entertainment is the company that produced "You Who Came From The Stars." Yoo Hyun Bo of HB Entertainment recently told the Chosun Ilbo that he's not too concerned about the copycat drama.

"We haven't looked at it and we won't be fooled by the hype," he said.

Nam Sung Hyun of Korea's Copyright Commission also spoke with the Chosun Ilbo on the copycat issue.

"It's absurd but this kind of thing will happen more frequently as exchanges between Korea and China increase," said Nam.

What do you think about this copycat drama? Have you seen it? Would you see it if it was available?