Despite taking legal action, there’s no resolution. Although she won the lawsuit, the issue remains unresolved. For actress Seo Hyo-rim, payment disputes have persisted for four years, with over ₩100 million unpaid.
Seo Hyo-rim has been suffering due to unpaid fees. From May 2021 to July 2022, she was not compensated for her roles in the drama “The Red Sleeve”, the movie “In Dream” and other variety show appearances and advertisements.
In 2022, Seo Hyo-rim filed a lawsuit against her former agency MAGIQ, represented by CEO Kim Sun-ok, demanding about ₩89 million. The court ruled in Seo Hyo-rim’s favor, and with interest, the amount owed has grown to ₩120 million.
Speaking with Dispatch, Seo Hyo-rim’s side revealed, “Despite the court ruling, they keep repeating that they’re ‘unable to pay’. They promise to pay a little each month or when they get a lump sum, but it’s just delaying tactics.”
In October, Seo Hyo-rim sought help from the Korea Entertainment Management Association (KEMA), filing a petition for arbitration with the Sanctions and Ethics Committee. She lodged a claim for the return of her unpaid fees, alleging embezzlement.
A representative from KEMA told Dispatch, “We are reviewing the materials submitted by both parties. Payment disputes between agencies and actors are critical issues. We will thoroughly examine all aspects of the case based on the facts.”
When asked about the delays, CEO Kim Sun-ok explained, “It’s not that we won’t pay; we simply can’t.” She cited financial difficulties as the primary reason for the delays.
In a phone call with Dispatch, CEO Kim stated, “Our financial situation has been tough. I proposed paying in small installments and settling the full amount when possible, but this was rejected. However, I am willing to comply with KEMA’s arbitration decision.”
She added, “Unforeseen circumstances have delayed repayment. I also want to resolve this quickly, but frequent media coverage affects our current roster of actors, making the situation even harder.”
Meanwhile, a petition was recently filed with KEMA over unpaid fees for the late Kim Soo-mi’s appearance in the musical “Mom”. The respondent is Rebyte United, a subsidiary of the defense contractor Ilgwang Group. The amount unpaid to the late actress is ₩160 million.
Rebyte United is the parent company of Blockberry Creative, which previously engaged in a contract dispute with the girl group LOONA. As the production company for “Mom”, it is reportedly responsible for ₩400 million in unpaid wages to actors and staff.
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