BLACKPAPER, the content production company co-founded by entertainer, actor and screenwriter Yoo Byung Jae, sparked a big online argument with their recent recruitment post. Critics say the firm is asking way too much for a six-month internship.
AllKpop reported that the trouble began when BLACKPAPER advertised an internship position, highlighting an exhausting list of duties. Their job listing went viral on social media, riling up the internet community.
The post said the intern would be working on content planning, production, channel management, uploads, and work on merchandise and IP projects. They will also have to do performance analysis and reporting. Candidates should also have experience with video editing software, design tools, and content creation.
The wide range of duties sparked plenty of critique from internet users, who thought the role seemed more like a full-time job than an internship. People also found the title "PM" strange for entry-level work.
"A six-month internship, but they expect all this?" became a common reaction online as users debated whether the company was placing unrealistic demands on candidates without offering a guaranteed pathway to permanent employment.
According to critics, internships should focus on training and guidance, whereas the posted position demanded skills in various specialties right off the bat. Plus, people questioned why there wasn't a clear path to a regular position in a long-term internship setup.
On the flip side, though, industry pros countered some of the negative feedback by pointing out that handling different tasks is pretty normal in content and digital media roles. Several marketing and production workers noted that planning, content creation, channel operation and performance analysis are frequently handled by the same team members, particularly at smaller or rapidly growing companies.
Some also pointed out that the title "PM" can carry different meanings depending on the organization, making it difficult to judge the actual workload based solely on the job description.
The debate has shined a spotlight on broader concerns surrounding internship culture in South Korea's entertainment and content industries. People talk about whether companies use interns for tasks usually done by full-time workers, and if long-term internships actually help with career growth.
BLACKPAPER was established in 2022 by CEO Yoo Gyu Seon, former "You Quiz on the Block" head writer Lee Eon Joo and Yoo Byung Jae, who has since stepped down as CEO. The company has rapidly grown to about 35 employees and 10 billion won ($7 million) in annual revenue in just three years.
In separate news, The Chosun Daily reported that Yoo Byung-jae updated fans on his recovery after undergoing gallbladder removal surgery, revealing that his weight had dropped to 59.9 kilograms.
He previously shared a hospital photo after the successful procedure, prompting concern from colleagues and fans over his noticeably thinner appearance.Despite the health scare, Yoo continues to stay active on variety shows and his YouTube channel while maintaining his public relationship with influencer Ahn Yu-jeong.
