You Have Been Defended [EN]: Chapter 39

After Yoo Jeong-won left, I stayed at Na Eun-sung’s house longer and had a long conversation with her.

Even though Na Eun-sung decided to trust me, she would still feel uneasy because of Yoo Jeong-won’s words, so some explanation was necessary.

I talked about money and fame in front of Yoo Jeong-won, but I told her that wasn’t really the case.

I briefly explained the circumstances of defending Kim Yeon-joon, why I didn’t proceed with pro bono [free legal services], and why I resigned from the prosecutor’s office.

Of course, I didn’t mention my detailed personal circumstances.

And I emphasized once again that I was convinced of the plagiarism and that we were on her side.

The most unsettling thing for a client when dealing with a lawyer is one thing:

Whether the lawyer really believes in their words.

I had confirmed it with my ability, so there was no reason not to be on her side.

Kang Min-jae also took the position that plagiarism was inevitable as a result of cross-comparing the two scenarios.

“…I understand what you’re saying, Attorney.”

Na Eun-sung said with a sigh.

“I’m sorry. I was swayed by those words for no reason… I’m only making things harder for you.”

Her voice gradually became tearful.

I also sighed.

I didn’t mean to make her cry.

But Na Eun-sung couldn’t shake her emotions and eventually shed tears.

“Don’t cry, Ms. Na Eun-sung.”

I’m terrible at comforting crying people.

So in my past life, I couldn’t do anything when my ex-wife cried in front of me.

I stared at her blankly and rubbed my forehead.

“I, I didn’t mean to, sob, sob.”

“Ms. Na Eun-sung. No. Rather, I am grateful that Ms. Na Eun-sung trusts me. I don’t resent Ms. Na Eun-sung at all, so please stop crying.”

I was being sincere.

I knew she was a sensitive person, so I assigned someone to her, and that’s why I came in a hurry.

I also thought that if I missed the timing, Yoo Jeong-won’s discord might succeed.

But she didn’t seem to think so.

“Attorney, you’re more, sniff, kind than I thought…”

I found a tissue in the room and handed it to her. Na Eun-sung wiped away her tears and blew her nose.

I watched her and stroked my chest.

I don’t know what to do when someone cries in front of me because of such emotional things.

“You’re not good at comforting crying people, are you?”

She asked.

Oh, I’ve been found out.

“Thank you, Attorney.”

Na Eun-sung said with a smile, her nose red.

Ah… I think it’s finally resolved.

* * *

A few days later, episodes 19 and 20 of aired.

As we had found out in advance, it was newly filmed content with a changed script.

That’s why when Na Eun-sung asked if she should release the script, I told her not to.

If she had, people who were favorable to Jung Hye-jin would have made a fuss, saying, ‘Look at this, isn’t it different?’

After browsing through a few sites, there were still stories about the unrecovered plot points.

Some drama fans had speculated in the beginning, and when that turned out to be correct, they said that the writer forcibly changed the content, which is why the plot points were not recovered.

But that wasn’t the end.

Netizens were divided.

Some people sneered that it was a desperate revision to escape the plagiarism controversy.

Once again, the bulletin board was bustling with plagiarism debates.

“The reaction is good, isn’t it?”

“No.”

“Yes? Why?”

Kang Min-jae asked, surprised.

The netizens’ reactions are divided almost 6 to 4, with people who support Na Eun-sung seemingly more numerous at first glance.

But that is only limited to netizens who are active online.

is a drama loved by the nation.

The overall public opinion will probably converge on ‘a writer aspirant who is jealous of the success and causing trouble’.

And as if to prove it,

[ Ends Successfully]

[, No Impact from Injunction Against Broadcasting… Final Episode Ratings 34.6%]

[ Top 10 Memorable Scenes]

Articles were pouring out, showcasing that it had not suffered any damage even though it was caught up in the plagiarism case.

Of course, more than half of these articles were probably paid for by Blue Island Media, but the problem was that the general public who lightly uses the internet would see such articles and think, ‘Oh, I see,’ and move on.

“I need to contact Na Eun-sung and tell her not to look at internet articles.”

Kang Min-jae sighed and went out to the veranda with his phone.

And 10 minutes later, Kang Min-jae opened the veranda door and waved his arm at me.

“Attorney, Ms. Na Eun-sung wants to talk to you on the phone.”

Whenever something like this happened, it was usually resolved by Kang Min-jae.

Suddenly feeling uneasy, I took the phone from him.

Could it be that she was so shocked that even Kang Min-jae couldn’t control her?

“I’ve switched phones. This is Cha Joo-han.”

-Attorney, this is Na Eun-sung.

Oh.

Her voice is brighter than I thought.

“Yes. You asked to speak to me. As Attorney Kang told you, don’t look at the articles,”

-I’m not looking at them. And even if I did, it wouldn’t affect me much.

Na Eun-sung said with a smile.

I even checked the name on the screen, wondering if it was someone else.

“That’s a relief.”

-Yes. I was thinking about what you said yesterday… I’m not going to whine anymore. It was really helpful.

“I didn’t think you were whining, but anyway, you made a good decision.”

-You’re so kind, as expected.

“……”

I lost my words.

-Are you busy? I’ll hang up now. If there’s anything I need to do, please let me know. Don’t worry about me. I’m really okay.

“But if anything happens, or if something like yesterday happens again, please contact me immediately.”

-Yes. Goodbye.

It’s a relief that Na Eun-sung is brighter than I thought, but somehow I feel uneasy.

“What’s wrong?”

Kang Min-jae asked, looking strange, as I handed the phone back to him.

“Is Ms. Na Eun-sung’s reaction not good?”

“No, it’s good.”

“Then why do you have that expression on your face?”

“…It’s strange that it’s good.”

Kang Min-jae laughed at my words.

“Then it’s a good thing! Why are you looking so serious? Come on! Let’s prepare for the trial quickly! Quickly, quickly!”

Even without that, I couldn’t afford to waste time because of the answer that had arrived.

Case 2008gahap7851

Plaintiff Na Eun-sung

41-2 XXdong, OOgu, Seoul 301

Defendant Blue Island Media Co., Ltd., Jung Hye-jin

XX Building, Pildong 2ga, Junggu, Seoul

Regarding the above case, the defendants submit the following answer.

Answer to the Claim

1. Dismiss the plaintiff’s claim.

2. The plaintiff shall bear the costs of the lawsuit.

We seek a judgment to that effect.

Answer to the Cause of Action

1. Summary of the Plaintiff’s Claims

According to the statement of claim submitted by the plaintiff, the plaintiff claims that the defendant plagiarized the plaintiff’s script and produced the drama.

2. Denial of Plagiarism

However, the defendant did not plagiarize the plaintiff’s script as described above.

3. Conclusion

Therefore, we ask that the plaintiff’s claim be dismissed.

Evidence

1. Exhibit Eul No. 1

Two copies of the copyright registration certificate for the defendant’s creation

2. Exhibit Eul No. 2

Two copies of the production log of the synopsis for the defendant’s creation

3. Exhibit Eul No. 3

Two copies of the defendant’s work inspiration notes

Attached Documents

1. Two copies of the answer

May 11, 2008

Defendant Blue Island Media Co., Ltd., Jung Hye-jin

The shameless answer arrived.

I started writing the preparatory document.

The content that Yoo Jeong-won showed off during the informal mediation and the content attached to the answer were almost the same.

There were some additions.

A newly appeared recorded statement from the PD [Production Director] who produced with Jung Hye-jin.

Also, a copy of her inspiration notes was presented.

In it, there was a diary describing her visit to Samcheong-dong, Iyang-gu, and gaining inspiration for the work, and describing the scenery of the neighborhood.

Clearly, the date the diary was written was before the contest date.

“I think it’s fabricated.”

I said, looking at the copy of the inspiration notes.

Kang Min-jae also nodded.

“From the beginning, it’s clear that she plagiarized, so there’s no way she would have gone there first.”

“Seeing as she confidently presented it, she must be confident that the evidence fabrication won’t be caught.”

I also nodded.

Yoo Jeong-won is a professional with 10 years of experience, as she said herself.

She is also a partner lawyer at Taekwang Law Firm, a monster group in Korea.

If she became a partner lawyer at a young age, it means her ability has been sufficiently proven.

What could it be?

“First, I need to go to Samcheong-dong, Iyang-gu. Compare it, and if anything has changed since then, investigate the history.”

“I’ll go. You’ll be too busy writing the preparatory document.”

Unlike the arguments that clash verbally, the preparatory document is a war on paper.

If the preparatory document is well prepared, the case may be concluded without even going to the trial date.

Of course, not in a trial that is of high public interest like this.

Anyway, that’s how important it is.

“Go now.”

“I understand. Please praise me if I bring back something!”

Kang Min-jae seemed to be thirsty for my praise.

“Just bring something back first.”

Of course, there is one exception.

If Tae-shik finds Na Eun-sung’s printed copy at the print shop, the trial date may not be set.

* * *

“…It matches.”

Two days later, Kang Min-jae returned and said.

There was no strength in his voice.

“I went up to the location where Jung Hye-jin would have looked at the scenery and compared it. But even the location of the buildings is correct. Even the description in Jung Hye-jin’s notes that they were doing construction right next to the high-rise building that day… Now it’s just a normal shopping district. When I checked, it turned out that they were doing construction back then.”

Kang Min-jae sat down at his desk, covering his head.

“What is it? How did they fabricate it?”

“Calm down.”

“…I can’t calm down.”

“Anyway, Ms. Na Eun-sung has a script that she submitted to the contest. We can attack with the similarity, and Jung Hye-jin’s copyright registration was also after the contest, even though it was earlier than Ms. Na Eun-sung’s. We can fight with that.”

“…It’s not certain. Going into trial with the anxiety that we might lose is really difficult. It will be the same for Ms. Na Eun-sung.”

Somehow, I was in a position to comfort Kang Min-jae.

But that doesn’t mean I feel good either.

Tae-shik told me to give up looking for it now, but I still couldn’t give it up.

And in that state with no progress, the trial date was set.

Now, the main issue will be similarity rather than reliance.