"Kids These Days Are Scary" vs. "'Kkondae Abuse' Must End"... 'Isunjae Controversy' Sparks Generational Conflict

Lee Soon-jae, Former Manager Accuses Him of 'Gapjil' Over "Family Chores Like Recycling and Carrying Water Bottles"
"Isn't That Okay Since He's Like a Son?" vs "We Must Correct the Wrong Practices That Have Existed"

Veteran actor Lee Soon-jae (85) continues to face controversy over allegations of 'gapjil' (abuse of power) toward his manager. Opinions are divided, with some arguing that requests such as dropping off Lee Soon-jae's wife at the hospital are matters that can be morally accommodated, while others claim that Lee's behavior constitutes so-called 'kkondae gapjil,' an abuse of hierarchical authority based on social status or age. This conflict raises concerns that it could potentially escalate into a generational clash.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] "It could happen with a manager who's like a son," "That's exactly 'Kkondae Gapjil' (authoritarian abuse of power)"

Senior actor Lee Soon-jae (85) has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of 'gapjil' (abuse of power) toward his manager, sparking divided opinions. While the failure to draft a labor contract and the lack of enrollment in the four major social insurances are acknowledged as wrong, some argue that requests such as asking to drop off Lee Soon-jae's wife at the hospital are matters that could be morally accommodated. On the other hand, there are claims that Lee Soon-jae's actions constitute so-called 'Kkondae Gapjil,' exploiting hierarchical order based on social status or age, raising concerns that this could escalate into a generational conflict.

Experts analyze the situation as arising from a communication gap between the generation represented by actor Lee Soon-jae and today's young people. They suggest that clear criteria should exist to distinguish between work-related and personal instructions.

On the 30th of last month, SBS '8 o'clock News' reported that Lee Soon-jae's former manager, Mr. Kim, claimed to have been subjected to 'servitude' by Lee Soon-jae.

Lee Soon-jae's former manager, Mr. Kim, stated, "Lee Soon-jae's wife made me do basic tasks like sorting garbage, carrying delivered water bottles, and shoe repairs. When I raised issues, I was unfairly dismissed."

As the controversy erupted, Lee Soon-jae responded on the same day, saying, "In this day and age, are you saying I treated my manager like a servant? If I made mistakes, I can apologize, but I will hold a press conference on July 2 to clarify the exaggerated parts such as 'servitude.'"

In response, SBS '8 o'clock News' rebutted through a follow-up report, stating, "We have more evidence but did not report it." The report explained, "The reason for the coverage was to revisit the harsh working conditions of entertainment industry workers in light of Mr. Kim's case and to identify and improve structural problems that cause such incidents to recur."

Following the report, on the 1st, Lee Soon-jae's agency, SGW Entertainment, stated, "While there were requests for personal tasks, expressions like 'servitude' or 'gapjil' are greatly exaggerated compared to reality," but also admitted, "The failure to draft a labor contract and enroll in the four major insurances occurred due to the agency's inexperience and are unrelated to the actor." They added, "The Labor Office is investigating, and we will accept all legal responsibilities and moral criticisms."

Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, debates continue surrounding the controversy. Some argue that as Lee Soon-jae is 85 years old, and his manager is about the age of a son, it is understandable for the manager to run such errands. Conversely, others point out that so-called 'Kkondae Gapjil,' exploiting age and social status hierarchies, should no longer exist in our society.

Office worker A (59) said, "Lee Soon-jae is 85 years old. The manager is probably in their 20s or 30s, so isn't it natural to do small errands for an actor who is like a father figure? Young people these days tend to call everything 'gapjil' and only seek their rights," he lamented.

A added, "Of course, the failure to draft a labor contract and enroll in the four major insurances is problematic. Assigning tasks outside the original job was wrong. People in our age group are afraid of young people nowadays and can't properly assign work at the office. Also, since the term 'Kkondae' has become popular socially, people are more cautious. Seeing young people record conversations and report to the media after being fired shortly after starting work makes me think young people these days are really 'scary,'" he said.

◆ What kind of gapjil was there? "Change water bottles... take out the trash"

On the 1st, Lee Soon-jae's agency partially acknowledged former manager Mr. Kim's claims, saying, "There were requests to take out sorted garbage on the way out of the house, ask for shoe repairs, carry water bottles on the way in, and even to drop off the actor's wife at the hospital or elsewhere while taking the actor to filming locations."

The agency added, "Previous road managers, considering the elderly and unwell condition of Lee Soon-jae's wife, voluntarily offered to do such tasks first, so the wife was somewhat accustomed to receiving help."

Also, Baek, who worked as Lee Soon-jae's former manager until April this year, said on his social network service (SNS), "I worked as Lee Soon-jae's manager for one year and six months until April this year. Since only the elderly couple lived there, there were parts where help was needed."

Baek said, "They couldn't order online at all, so I ordered necessary items and received cash deposits. Naturally, I moved water bottles and heavy items. It is true that I occasionally took out sorted garbage while going to and from the house," supporting former manager Mr. Kim's claims.

Photo by Yonhap News

However, Baek said, "I did not think this was labor exploitation. I wanted to help with tasks that a young person like me could assist with for the elderly couple living alone," and explained, "Now they say personal tasks were requested from the current manager, but I think this is partly my fault. I was the one who first offered to help if there was anything needed."

◆ "Not knowing one's own gapjil is being a Kkondae" - Young generation emphasizes manager's 'servitude'

Office worker B (25) said, "This is exactly what 'Kkondae Gapjil' is. Instead of saying young people are scary, we should correct socially wrong practices that have existed so far."

B argued, "A manager is just a manager, not a celebrity's 'servant.' Especially in Lee Soon-jae's case, it is clearly gapjil exploiting his 'status' and 'age' as social hierarchies established in the entertainment industry. Would managers easily refuse such requests from Lee Soon-jae and his family in such an environment? Surely, even if they didn't want to, they compromised thinking 'this is part of social life,'" he expressed indignation.

Experts emphasize that this is a matter arising from a lack of communication between two generations and an inevitable controversy due to the absence of a labor contract.

Professor Kwak Geum-ju of Seoul National University's Department of Psychology said, "This can be seen as a 'generational conflict' between the 'young generation' represented by managers and the 'older generation' represented by Mr. Lee Soon-jae. If there had been a 'labor contract' based on mutual agreement and emotional empathy, the situation would not have escalated this much," she pointed out.

Professor Kwak added, "The biggest problem between generations is the lack of communication. There should be means that clearly specify the points of conflict between young and older generations. In this case of the 'Lee Soon-jae controversy,' something like a 'labor contract' fits this role," and explained, "It stems from communication skills issues. The older generation needed sufficient explanation about the characteristics of the younger generation. Without such explanation, the older generation cannot fully understand the younger generation."

She also expressed regret about the controversy, saying, "It would have been better if the agency had mediated well. Also, this is an opportunity to clearly define the role of managers in the entertainment industry and how they should work. This will continue to be an issue raised in society."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.