Shanghai Media Group (SMG) has bought the play book of a popular South Korean TV drama series as one of its counter-measures against the increasing fees charged by local screenwriters.

SMG paid 1.4 million yuan (US$183,246) for the 120-episode play, whose original version was introduced to the Chinese mainland in 2003 by CCTV, according to the Nanjing-based Modern Express.

"That means the adaptation will cost the group no more than 30,000 yuan for each episode," said a senior official with SMG.

Domestic writers who have cooked some popular plays often demand up to 100,000 yuan for writing one episode, the official said.

The average adaptation cost of one episode on the Chinese mainland now is between 50,000 yuan to 60,000 yuan, the newspaper said.

The South Korean play, translated as "Watch, Then Watch Again", is about the love affairs of two sisters from the same family with a pair of brothers from another family.

It reflects true life of common families in the country, said the newspaper. The play has won many fans on the Chinese mainland.

"Nationwide popularity will be another advantage for adapting foreign plays in China," said the official.

The group's deal, as Chinese mainland's first purchase of a South Korean play, will be a focus of a promotional expo to be held in Shanghai on Thursday.

Several well-known screenwriters from Taiwan Province, Japan and South Korea are gathering in Shanghai today, attending an exchange activity held by SMG.

"They will be asked to give advice on the adaptation of the play (Watch, Then Watch Again)," the official said.