LayarHijau.com—On January 20, a Weibo account named "Mengge" posted a message questioning the originality of the new iQiyi drama "Drifting Away." The user, claiming to be an investigative journalist, accused the screenwriter of plagiarizing various aspects, including the title and plot.
In the post, Mengge stated that the drama plagiarized an in-depth investigative report titled "Bleach," which was published by Southern Metropolis Daily in 2012. Furthermore, in his allegations, Mengge claimed that the drama team had "erased" the investigative report from the media, making it difficult to access.
He also mentioned that the creative team never contacted him or Southern Metropolis Daily beforehand and did not credit the original source in their promotional materials. This left him feeling confused and dissatisfied, as reported by Sohu.
"Drifting Away" is a crime drama directed by Cao Kai, featuring Guo Jingfei, Wang Qianyuan, and Zhao Jinmai, with special appearances by Ren Zhong, Wang Jiajia, Zong Juntao, and guest appearances by Zhang Xinyi and others. The drama premiered on January 17, 2025.
Response from the Screenwriter
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| Source: Sohu |
In light of the controversy, Chen Qing, the screenwriter of "Drifting Away," issued a statement. She revealed that after hearing about the case, she visited various locations for interviews. After thoroughly understanding the situation, she adapted the story into a novel, using the term "identity bleaching," which she encountered during her interviews, as the core concept.
With over 30 years of experience in writing, she acknowledged the challenges of creating original content and expressed her support for both parties to resolve the issue through professional legal channels.
Synopsis of "Bleach"
In an ordinary residential building, a horrifying act of mutilation occurs. Experienced criminal police captain Peng Zhao Lin cannot contain his horror upon witnessing the scene. What he cannot forgive himself for is having passed by the criminal suspect, Deng Li Gang, in the corridor. Deng Li Gang and his group traveled across the country to commit crimes, particularly kidnapping, extortion, and the murder of "club girls." The task force pursued the murderer across various provinces but failed.
The criminal group suddenly vanished. They laundered their identities through illegal means and lived peacefully and contentedly. However, Peng Zhao Lin often wakes up from nightmares. The image of a girl, like a lamb awaiting slaughter, and her sorrowful cries linger in his ears. A seemingly inconspicuous piece of information pries open a long-standing unsolved case, and Peng Zhao Lin embarks on a long journey to find the murderer.