What REALLY Happened Behind “Anna” Legal Issue + Coupang Play COMPLETE Statement

Behind the success of “Anna” Korean drama starring Bae Suzy, a severe lawsuit issue occurred between the director and Coupang Play. So what REALLY happened to Bae Suzy Korean drama, “Anna”? Check out the following details to better understand why the director wants to sue and what Coupang Play said in their official statement.

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Director of Bae Suzy “Anna” Korean Drama to Take Legal Actions Against Coupang Play

After the success and praises showering Bae Suzy in her new Korean drama, “Anna”, apparently it bore a severe issue that may harm all the people involved.

On August 3, Korean media reported that director Lee Joo Young of “Anna” Korean drama is planning to take legal actions against its broadcasting platform, Coupang Play. According to the director’s lawyer, Coupang Play has allegedly violated their agreement and made extreme changes to “Anna” Korean drama without the director’s consent.

Director Lee Joo Young of Bae Suzy “Anna” Korean drama to sue Coupang Play for extreme violation. | Twitter

What REALLY Happened – Statement from “Anna” Director’s Lawyer

So what really happened between the director of Bae Suzy “Anna” Korean drama and Coupang Play?

On the media report, “Anna” director’s lawyer stated that Coupang Play had violated their agreement by making extreme changes to the Korean drama.

Not only had they shortened the Korean drama from 8 to 6 episodes, but Coupang Play had also completely changed the structure and “Anna” scenes order, creating a brand-new narrative.

According to the director, the Coupang Play version of “Anna” was “unrecognizable”. And she stated that this violation of Coupang Play was “unprecedented in the industry”.

“Anna was supposed to be an 8-episode drama with 45-61 minutes run time for each episode.
However, Coupang Play decided to make changes without the director’s consent and presented a six-episode drama.
Not only was the length of the show cut, but it also tampered with the scenes’ structure and order, which interfered with the show’s narrative, filming, editing, and intention.”
Lee Joo Young’s legal representative.

“Anna” Korean Drama Director Wants to Remove Her Name, but Coupang Play Ignored the Request

Since Coupang Play basically created a new version of “Anna” Korean drama, director Lee Joo Young then decided to remove her name from the credits. However, Coupang Play ignored her request and took no action.

Therefore, director Lee Joo Young demanded an official apology from Coupang Play. She also requested Coupang Play to release the original 8-episode version of Bae Suzy “Anna” Korean drama. Or else they would take legal actions against this extreme violation.

“Director Lee Joo Young has asked that her name be taken off in the credits under director and writer. Yet, Coupang Play ignored the request. We demanded through a third party for the corrections but have yet to receive word.
Therefore, we ask for an official apology and corrective action from Coupang Play, or we will pursue legal action.”
Lee Joo Young’s legal representative.

Editor of Bae Suzy “Anna” Korean Drama Posted a Complaint Statement on Social Media

Along with the director, editor Kim Jeong Hoon, who worked on “Anna” Korean drama starring Bae Suzy also posted on Facebook about the violation. According to the editor, the current version of “Anna” is not the one he worked days and nights with director Lee Joo Young.

That is why he also requested Coupang Play to remove his name from the credits. But to this request, Coupang Play also took no action.

“I also demanded that Coupang Play remove my name from the credits but it’s still in there.
I can’t stand seeing my name on a project I didn’t even work on.”
Kim Jeong Hoon, “Anna” Korean drama editor.

So coupang play was supposed to release an official statement regarding the matter today but they didn’t instead now the editing director of Anna have joined in the complainant against the OTT pic.twitter.com/jJVUGew3bt
— . (@szkukz) August 3, 2022

Coupang Play Releases Official Statement About Their Alleged Violation

Finally, after the violation and lawsuit reports went viral on the internet and social media, Coupang Play eventually released an official statement.

According to the statement, Coupang Play had been very supportive of the director and production team. However, they later found out that “Anna” Korean drama starring Bae Suzy turned into a different production than the one they had agreed.

“The director’s editing direction became significantly different from what was initially agreed with us.”
Coupang Play.

Coupang Play also claimed to have requested several times to the director to edit “Anna” back to the original plan. However, in the statement, Coupang Play revealed that the director rejected the request.

“The director refused to do so over several months.”
Coupang Play.

That is why Coupang Play took action and edited the Korean drama back to their original plan of “Anna”. And they claimed to have done it with the consent from the producer. This action is also still in compliance with their rights specified in the contract.

“With the consent of the producer and per the rights stipulated in the contract, Coupang Play edited the work to match the original production intent.
As a result, the series became a great hit and received high praise from the viewers.”
Coupang Play.

Coupang Play Statement: “We Will Release the Director’s Cut”

In addition to the statement, Coupang Play also revealed that they would release the 8-episode version of the director’s cut. And they’d do it to respect the director’s editing direction.

And the 8-episode Director’s Cut of “Anna” Korean drama starring Bae Suzy will have a release date sometime in August.

“We will release the series as soon as a review by the Korea Media Ratings Board is completed.”
Coupang Play.

So, what do you think about this issue revolving “Anna” Korean drama starring Bae Suzy? Do you believe Coupang Play has done enough in the statement?

Feel free to share your opinions in the comments. Also, stay with Kpoppost Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more “Anna” and Bae Suzy updates.

In the meantime, check out what Bae Suzy said about her plan for this year.