Park Na-rae / Courtesy of MBC
Allegations surrounding comic Park Na-rae’s remedy of her former managers have triggered rising disappointment among the many public, however trade insiders say the controversy displays a deeper, long-standing structural downside moderately than an remoted case.
Claims of office abuse by Park’s former managers surfaced publicly Dec 4. In keeping with studies, two former managers, recognized as A and B, filed an software with the Seoul Western District Courtroom, Dec. 3, in search of a provisional seizure of actual property underneath Park’s title. They allege they suffered numerous types of misconduct throughout their employment, together with office harassment, assault, proxy assortment of medical prescriptions and unpaid production-related bills. Further allegations later emerged on JTBC’s investigative program “Scandal Supervisor,” the place claims had been raised that Park additionally mistreated members of broadcast manufacturing groups.
Whereas the factual accuracy of the allegations has but to be decided, the response from throughout the trade has been strikingly grim. Many insiders say comparable practices have lengthy existed throughout the leisure sector, prompting reactions reminiscent of “what was sure to occur lastly occurred.” Critics argue the problem shouldn’t be lowered to the actions of a single particular person.
Former managers say duties that go far past skilled duties are sometimes handled as routine. These embody making hospital appointments and receiving prescriptions on behalf of celebrities, reserving schedules, sourcing private gadgets, amassing laundry, managing deliveries and even strolling pets. A former supervisor with six years of expertise within the trade stated, “Proxy prescriptions are frequent. As soon as a star visits a hospital with a supervisor to determine familiarity, the supervisor later receives the treatment on their behalf. The non-public errands typically cross the road, typically requiring long-distance journey simply to acquire presents or gadgets.”
The boundary between skilled and personal duties is commonly blurred. One other supervisor, who labored at a big company with a number of celebrities, stated, “It’s arduous to outline the place the road is. In actuality, the function turns into that of a private secretary. Family chores are fundamental, and in some circumstances managers are chargeable for duties associated to the movie star’s household as properly.”
The notion of “24-hour standby,” which has drawn specific criticism on-line, can also be described as an unofficial however entrenched expectation. Managers are anticipated to stay close by till celebrities go away firm dinners and to help them by the method of returning dwelling after ingesting. Even when managers attend such gatherings, they’re typically unable to drink or eat comfortably. “Managers hardly ever take pleasure in these events,” one former supervisor stated. “More often than not, it’s limitless ready. Private time barely exists except it’s mentioned upfront.”
Movie and tv units usually are not immune. A drama manufacturing workers member stated some celebrities create tense working environments or trigger delays as a result of their conduct. “Not everyone seems to be like that, however there are celebrities who make workers undergo,” the staffer stated. “In the long run, as a result of the movie star is the one in entrance of the digital camera, everybody adjusts round them. When issues come up, it falls to workers and managers to appease and handle the state of affairs.”
Further privileges are additionally cited, together with delays attributable to private points or disruptions when celebrities arrive unprepared. The identical workers member stated, “Sudden private procuring requests are minor in comparison with circumstances the place filming is delayed just because somebody is drained. I’ve even been verbally abused throughout shoots, however many individuals let it go as a result of ending the manufacturing safely takes precedence.”
Business veterans level to an irrational hierarchy embedded within the system, even though celebrities, managers and workers are all sure by skilled contracts. A former leisure present staffer stated, “When working with significantly delicate celebrities, we put together each potential merchandise upfront. You begin questioning why this degree of lodging is taken into account regular.”
Many insiders specific skepticism about whether or not significant change is feasible. One supervisor stated efforts by firm executives to enhance office tradition hardly ever translate into actual modifications on set. A manufacturing workers member added, “By continually attempting to not upset celebrities, their authority solely turns into extra entrenched.”
Not all celebrities match this sample. Amid the Park Na-rae controversy, tales highlighting extra thoughtful conduct by different entertainers have resurfaced. Broadcaster Jang Younger-ran beforehand stated she lowered her personal contract price to request increased pay for her managers and stylists. Veteran entertainer Park Myung-soo can also be extensively identified for personally taking turns driving throughout long-distance journeys to ease his supervisor’s fatigue.
The present controversy has introduced long-standing trade practices into the open. Whether or not it results in substantive reform, past expressions of frustration from these contained in the system, stays to be seen.
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Instances, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Instances.
