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| ▲This photo, provided by Coupang Play, shows webdrama "Anna." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, August 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Over The Top service Coupang Play said, “I asked the director in the beginning for a modification as it was very different from the original production intention, but it was not accepted. So we edited the work based on the contract,” regarding the accusation that Coupang Play shortened the episodes of S. Korean drama “Anna” from 8 episodes to 6 without director’s consent.
Coupang Play said in a statement on Wednesday, “The editing of director was significantly different from the direction Coupang Play, the director, and the production company (content map) mutually agreed upon in the contract,” adding, “Over the past few months, Coupang Play has forwarded specific requests for modification, but the director refused to make any changes.”
Coupang Play continued, "Based on the rights specified in the contract, Coupang Play edited the work to match the original production intention, As a result, ‘Anna’ received great reviews from viewers."
Coupang Play also said “In order to respect the director's editing, the director's cut for ‘Anna’ will be released as soon as the review by the Korea Media Rating Board is completed in August."
Director Lee Joo-young, who wrote and directed “Anna,” immediately rebutted Coupang Play's statement that it was not true and announced to take a legal action against the company.
Director Lee said, “It was the first and last editorial meeting on April 21 that Coupang Play ever delivered their opinions about the editing,” adding, "We regret that (Coupang Play) made a statement that is different from the facts, mislead the issue, and avoid any responsibility."
Director Lee also refuted Coupang Play's claim that the work was edited based on the rights specified in the contract.
Director Lee explained, “Author’s moral right is exclusive to the creator of the work, and even if the drama is transferred, that right does not transfer together,” adding, “There exists domestic precedent which recognizes compensation for unauthorized editing that excluded creator.”
She said, “For the development of S.Korean visual industry and for the protection of creators, I plan to take all possible legal measures to prevent such an improper situation from reoccurring.”
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Jiwon Woo.)
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