5 K-Pop Agencies Disagree With New Bill Designed To Protect Minors From Being Overworked

In a surprising turn of events, five prominent associations in the Korean pop culture industry have expressed their disagreement with a new bill aimed at protecting underage celebrities from being overworked.

The Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association, Korea Entertainment Management Association, Recording Industry Association of Korea, Record Label Industry Association of Korea, and Korea Music Content Association issued a statement earlier today urging for the deletion of the clause that strengthens regulations on underage celebrities’ work hours.

BABYMONSTER, set to debut soon, has six underage members. | YG Entertainment

The so-called “Lee Seung Gi Crisis Prevention Act” is a set of revisions to the “Popular Culture Art Industrial Development Act,” which obligates entertainment agencies to disclose their income settlement details. The change aims to prevent unjust treatment toward pop culture artists, as seen in the case of singer and actor Lee Seung Gi, who was involved in a legal battle last year with his then-agency Hook Entertainment regarding missing payments.

Lee Seung Gi | tvN

While the agencies agreed with the revision’s clauses on disclosing accounting and payments, they expressed concerns that the entire revision might hinder the pop culture industry’s advancement. The agencies claim that the revision’s strengthened and more specific limitations on underage stars’ work hours “hinder” their activities and, in turn, the progress of the Korean pop culture industry.

The revision limits work hours for teenage celebrities by subdividing age limits, which turns a blind eye to reality… [It’s] a bill to hinder the pop culture industry from advancing.

— The entertainment associations on their joint statement

Newjeans’ Hyein debuted at only 14 years old. | @newjeans_twt/Twitter

Prior to the change, pop culture artists under the age of 15 could work a maximum of 35 hours a week and a maximum of 40 hours a week for those 15 or above until they reach the adult age of 19.

The revision categorized ages and work hours in more detail. Under the new regulation, pop culture artists under 12 can work up to 25 hours a week and six hours per day; those between ages 12 and 15 can work up to 30 hours a week and seven hours per day; and a maximum of 35 hours a week and seven hours per day for those 15 or older. The agencies claim that the industry has already complied with the law’s limit on working hours for teenagers under the age of 15.

Additional regulations are unnecessary and will limit the activities of idol groups, which consist of members of various ages. It will weaken the competitiveness of the pop culture industry.

— The entertainment associations on their joint statement

IVE’s Wonyoung debuted in IZ*ONE at only 14 years old. | @ditto_wy/Twitter

In their statement, the agencies made it clear they believe it is unfair that teenagers who want to grow into worldwide pop artists are not allowed to do the activities they want while other non-celebrity students can study until late at night. They are currently requesting the age limit clause in question to be deleted, as well as a discussion with the industry regarding other clauses.

Other parts of the revision regarding underage celebrities’ protection also include a ban on excessive management of appearance, coercion of unhealthy or dangerous actions, physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and skipping or dropping out of school. The revision aims to ensure the safety and well-being of underage pop culture artists while pursuing their dreams.

You can find more details about the bill here:

New Bill To Protect Underage K-Pop Idols Approved By Ministry Of Culture

Source: Koreaboo – Read More