Producer of 'I am Solo' Penalized for Infringing on Writer's Rights

Ministry of Culture Recommends Correction to Chonjang Entertainment
"Should Have Written a Written Contract..."

Chonjang Entertainment, the producer of the entertainment show 'I Am Solo,' has been fined. The reason was the violation of the rights of freelance (independent contractor) broadcast writers by not issuing written contracts.

On the 22nd, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it imposed a fine of 1.5 million won on the 18th after deliberation and resolution by the Committee for the Protection of Artists' Rights and Relief for Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Victims. Chonjang Entertainment was also advised to take corrective measures. The recommendations included signing contracts on equal terms with writers related to the production of 'I Am Solo,' issuing written contracts to the writers, and submitting measures to prevent recurrence, including the implementation details of contract signing and contract issuance.

The Ministry judged that the failure to prepare written contracts with freelance writers for cultural and artistic services violated the Artist Welfare Act. The Artists' Rights Protection Committee pointed out, “If a written contract specifying matters related to artists' rights had been prepared in accordance with Article 4-4 of the Artist Welfare Act, the rights of broadcast writers would have been more clearly anticipated, allowing the complainants (writers) to exercise them.” It added, “There are still parts that require correction, such as signing contracts that do not specify contract terms regarding artists' rights like copyrights, so it is necessary to recommend corrective actions.”

The production company can submit opinions on the preliminary notice of the fine until the 4th of next month. If the fine is voluntarily paid within the opinion submission period, up to 20% reduction can be granted.

Earlier, in April, the Broadcast Writers' Branch of the Korean Federation of Mediaworkers Union reported Chonjang Entertainment to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for violating the obligation to prepare written contracts and infringing on the rights of broadcast writers. The report stated that Chonjang Entertainment used its superior position to impose unfair contract terms on writers and refused appropriate profit distribution.

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