[Journalism Internship] Controversy continues over working hours of young idols

Journalism Internship

Published: 23 Aug. 2023, 16:47

[Journalism Internship] Controversy continues over working hours of young idols

From left, K-pop group IVE’s Gaul, An Yujin, Jang Wonyoung, Yi Suh and Lizz are performing at “Seoul Festa 2023” at the Olympic Main Stadium in Jamsil Sports General Playground on April 30. [NEWS1]

Dongwook Kwon, Seokjin Yoon, Yein Lee

The controversy surrounding the so-called “Lee Seung-gi law” continues to escalate, with a wide range of stakeholders such as lawmakers, entertainment agencies, affiliated artists and child right activists being divided on this issue.

A bill passed the standing committee for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the National Assembly on April 21 that would revise the Law on Popular Culture and Arts Industries to improve wage transparency and the working conditions of young entertainers in the industry.

Efforts to introduce this amendment to the National Assembly have been taken since last October. While the amendment is set to bring about transparency in artists’ payment, its proposed regulation on the working hours of minors in K-pop has resulted in chaos in the industry.

To improve wage transparency, the amendment requires entertainment agencies to provide billing and wage details to contracted entertainers upon request and on an annual basis, while also mandating their full cooperation in investigations of alleged unfair practices.

The amendment introduces stricter limitations in terms of working hours for young entertainers. Children under 12 would be restricted to 25 hours per week and a maximum of 6 hours per day, those aged 12 to 15 could work up to 30 hours per week and 7 hours per day, and those over 15 would be allowed to work up to 35 hours per week and 7 hours per day.

The amendment was nicknamed the “Lee Seung-gi law” after reports of singer Lee Seung-gi having been mistreated by Hook Entertainment were made earlier this year. The reports revealed that Lee had been mistreated by his agency’s CEO Kwon Jin-young from day one, and was not properly paid despite the massive success of his hit songs such as “Because You’re My Woman” (2004).

The industry has since been divided over whether the changes will be beneficial for the industry or not, primarily on whether shorter working hours are good for the young idols or not. One side says it can properly take care of an idol’s health and school life, whereas the other says shorter working hours would improve minors’ health and school life. Still some say fewer hours training to become idols may hamper with the future prospects in the competitive K-pop market.

Some who agree with the limitations say that minors’ educational rights are neglected, or that agencies forcing minors to take plastic surgery is a huge concern. People who disagree, mainly agencies, argue that the Lee Seung-gi law is prohibiting idols from gaining fame. These say that most idols reach their peak in their 20s, and in order to achieve this fame, they have to practice from a young age.

A joint statement issued by the Korea Management Federation, the Korea Entertainment Producers’ Association, the Recording Industry Association of Korea, the Record Label Industry Association of Korea and the Korean Music Contents Association in May 16th echos these concerns: the “amendment to the Law on Popular Culture and Arts Industries, specifically regarding the strengthening of rights protection for young popular culture and arts practitioners, was carried out without sufficient discussion with the industry.”

Although having been passed by the committee, the bill now awaits further debating and negotiations to reflect the views from the industry.

BY DONGWOOK KWON, SEOKJIN YOON, YEIN LEE [kwon.warrick@gmail.com, cocobljh@gmail.com, ylee2028@chadwickschool.org]