Korea’s People Power Representative Ha Tae-kyung, together with the political party’s member, Choi Seung-Ho, proposes the “Fifty Fifty Act,” which is said to protect the rights and interests of every member of the Korean entertainment industry, especially small and medium-sized agencies.
In the age where Korean Entertainment is dominating the industry, Korean lawmakers are proposing to revise the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act— an act which was enacted in April this year, and passed by Korea’s Ministry of Culture.
The inauguration of Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act addresses various concerns within the K-pop industry, introducing new regulations concerning the rights of underage idols and imposing additional contractual obligations on entertainment companies.
It also asserts the rights of K-idols such as (1) the Entertainment agency’s full disclosure of the idol’s income statement whenever the idol asks for it or at least once a year, (2) lower limit working hours for minor idols, (3) freedom of idols to pursue education, and (4) prohibition of any activities like physical and verbal abuse that will risk the idols health.
However, People Power representatives are calling to revise it as they said that it was mainly focused on the benefits of the idols rather than the agencies.
“As the international status of K-pop is increasing, balanced development between artists and agencies is needed to further revitalize the industry. We will pursue the sustainable development of the K-pop industry by protecting not only artists but also agencies,” Rep. Ha stated.
The proposal will allow entertainment agencies to gain legal support from Korea Content Agency, which will let them mediate contract disputes.
The announcement of the bill’s proposal earned negative reactions from social media users, especially the fans, insisting that revisions would only protect the abusers and not the victims.
“Protect companies from…. minors not wanting to be exploited by them ???? ok,” a fan expressed his sentiment.
protect companies from…. minors not wanting to be exploited by them ???? ok https://t.co/BJ2ttvDSMH
— jk 💔 (@lesbovope) December 20, 2023
“protect the rights and interests of small and medium-sized companies” and those companies are abusing their idols https://t.co/3umqoe2TY1
— bee 🇵🇸🩷 | BILLY DAY (@kenapty) December 20, 2023
This is horrifying https://t.co/NdduWgGb0x
— Lexi⁷ 💜 (@rosecoloredjmn) December 20, 2023
I’m so sick https://t.co/G1y1wUnqrI
— Olivia, Loonaverse (@loonaversecross) December 20, 2023
Some shady shh their company is doing https://t.co/twpV5DNfxH
— belle 💟 (@sparklingsaida) December 20, 2023
A user also shared a video explainer of what the “Fifty Fifty Act is about relating it to the Korean entertainment industry. It was stated in the video that “ Essentially, too many K-pop groups, idols, singers are winning their lawsuit against companies. Not only with Loona and Omega X, but the big one was Lee Seung Gi.”
this tiktok explains why the fifty fifty act is horrendous https://t.co/6uE3ML7QmA pic.twitter.com/xJBWvtgZWf
— lei ʚɞ lemonfairy (@LEMONFAlRY) December 19, 2023
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