The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Thu, August 11, 2022 | 09:08
Shows & Dramas
K-drama female staff - 20-hour working days for $177 a month
Posted : 2018-07-22 10:17
Updated : 2018-07-23 14:45
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Staff involved in production. Courtesy of the Federation of Korea Movie Workers' Union
Staff involved in production. Courtesy of the Federation of Korea Movie Workers' Union

By Dong Sun-hwa

Hallyu is often represented by celebrities who make a fortune from the films or dramas in which they star.

But what about staff or crew who work behind the scenes, especially women?

"We face an abusive and tough life," a former drama staff told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity. She worked as a drama PD trainee and her tasks included preparing late-night meals, making reservations and looking after receipts.

She said she and others were on the receiving end of sexual harassment and swearing in the name of culture and custom.

"Some male crews frequently made lewd jokes to female staff and talked to them in a disrespectful way," she said. "Some made uncalled-for advances, touching us."

She said her friend, also a trainee, had a worse experience.

Staff involved in production. Courtesy of the Federation of Korea Movie Workers' Union
The former drama staff revealed the hardships she had to endure while working. Korea Times graphic by Bae So-young

"My friend was abandoned at the site of filming," she said. "But nobody told her what to do ― instead, they cursed her, and threatened her physically for not doing her job well."

Her friend told the production firm about the incident, but was only told, "This is how this industry works ― if you can't endure it, give up. We have plenty of others to replace you."

The friend said she could not do this because once she left, there would be no second chance to work in the industry.

The former staff also disclosed that during the production, she worked 20 hours a day, starting at 7:30 a.m. and sometimes not finishing until 3:40 a.m.

"Sleeping on the site was common," she added. "Then, I would get 200,000 won ($177) a month."

In contrast, actor Lee Byung-hun is reportedly being paid 150 million won ($134,000) for each of the 24 episodes of the new tvN series, "Mr. Sunshine."

She also mentioned the "vicious cycle" of K-drama productions too.

"To reduce costs, we reduce shooting time by squeezing as much as possible within a given time," she said. "That means we work constantly, without sleep."

An associate producer for entertainment programs at a broadcasting station agreed, saying, "We know we need to hire more people, but we won't."

He unveiled that the problem was more serious because Korea was neither a leader of season programs nor pre-productions.

"Two jobs in our industry are well paid ― celebrity actors and main producers," he said.


Emailsunhwadong@gmail.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Korea urged to take preemptive steps to deal with climate change-induced disasters
  • What Seoul's worst rainfall in 115 years looked like
  • Musinsa's new store becomes hot spot in southern Seoul
  • Flood damage to vehicles during torrential rain to hit insurers
  • 'Children must play right now'
  • Bill Gates expected to meet with top business leaders in Korea
  • Seoul reiterates that '3 Nos' policy is not commitment to China
  • Han River sunset cruise: Seoul's new tourist focal point
  • [INTERVIEW] Polish arms deal may well lead to greater opportunities for Korea: expert
  • Retailers slash product prices to draw consumers as inflation soars
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • BLACKPINK to start world tour in October BLACKPINK to start world tour in October
    • [INTERVIEW] Im Si-wan finds own narrative for villain role in 'Emergency Declaration' [INTERVIEW] Im Si-wan finds own narrative for villain role in 'Emergency Declaration'
    • 'Free Chol Soo Lee': How young Korean immigrant's wrongful conviction led to pan Asian American resistance movement 'Free Chol Soo Lee': How young Korean immigrant's wrongful conviction led to pan Asian American resistance movement
    • 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family' 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family'
    • Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group