The Korean entertainment companies are now coming together in order to fight against the production companies that have been blamed for not paying any money to Kim Soo-mi for their appearance on their programs. This will result in more emphasis being laid on the employment problems of the industry.
This conflict arises because of some programs that Kim performed before she died in October 2024. She did not receive any money for almost two years. This problem has raised some concerns related to contract compliance and artists' income generation.
Dispatch reported that on April 13, the Awards and Disciplinary Ethics Committee of the Korea Entertainment Management Association and the Korean Broadcasting Actors' Union put out a joint statement about what they called "persistent nonpayment practices."
The statement made clear what the groups' stance was. They said, "We cannot overlook this situation."
READ MORE: Legendary Actress Kim Soo Mi Dies at 75: Tragic Cause of Death Revealed
The report indicated that Kim incurred losses because she was not paid for the musical titled "My Mother's Home," which involved productions from firms such as Rebite United. The amount owed for one production was thought to be around 150 million won (approximately $100,000 USD), and mediation was still going on after her family asked for it.
The statement also talked about obligations under the contract. It said,"the filing of a complaint regarding unpaid appearance fees is a betrayal of the principle of good faith under the contract," calling it "an act of disrupting order and an act of disrespect toward the deceased."
KEMA also hinted at possible enforcement actions against businesses that broke the rules. It read, "We will take sanctions to regulate the activities of production companies and producers."
The actors' trade union proposed the solution in its remarks. It said, "We jointly demand that the production company take measures to resolve the issue."
As per ChosunBiz, the groups also warned that if they fail to reach an agreement, they could impose stronger regulatory actions, such as penalties on production activities. In the joint statement, they stressed their broader perspective."We will no longer sit idly by regarding the situation of unpaid performance fees. We will respond actively and strongly to resolve the issue."
The controversy has brought increased attention to systemic issues within the entertainment industry, particularly regarding delayed or unpaid compensation.
As organizations push for accountability, the case is expected to influence ongoing discussions about protecting artists' rights and ensuring fair treatment across the sector.
