• Actress Seo Hyo Rim Struggling with Unpaid Appearance Fees for 4 Years – Former Agency Says "We Want to Pay, But We Can't"

    Actress Seo Hyo Rim has been waiting for her unpaid appearance fees for a staggering four years, and despite winning a lawsuit, the situation remains unresolved. She has yet to receive over 100 million KRW in unpaid wages from her former agency.

    Seo Hyo Rim has been suffering from unpaid appearance fees dating back to May 2021. This includes payments for her work in the popular drama The Red Sleeve, the movie Indream, and other variety shows and advertisements.

    In 2022, Seo Hyo Rim took legal action against her former agency Majic and its CEO Kim Sun Ok, demanding 89 million KRW in unpaid fees. The court ruled in Seo Hyo Rim’s favor, but the money is still unpaid. With interest, the amount she is owed has now risen to 120 million KRW.

    Seo Hyo Rim’s side told Dispatch, “Even after the court ruled in our favor, they just keep saying, ‘We can’t pay.’” They added, “They keep making excuses like paying a little bit every month or saying they’ll pay once they get a lump sum of money.”

    In October, Seo Hyo Rim reached out to the Korea Actors Association for help. She submitted a request for mediation and filed a complaint about the unpaid fees.

    A Korea Actors Association official said, “We are reviewing the materials submitted by both parties.” The official also mentioned, “Appearance fees are a critical issue for both actors and agencies. We will carefully review all the details based on the facts.”

    But why is CEO Kim Sun Ok delaying the payments? She explained, “It’s not that I don’t want to pay, but I just can’t right now.” Kim added that her agency is facing financial difficulties and she does not have the funds to pay Seo Hyo Rim.

    In a phone interview with Dispatch, CEO Kim said, “The financial situation has been tough. I promised to pay little by little and to pay back once we have enough money, but Seo Hyo Rim rejected that.”

    She continued, “I do intend to repay according to the mediation of the Korea Actors Association.” She also said, “If this continues to get reported, it could affect the other actors under the agency. It’s really hard.”

    Meanwhile, another unpaid appearance fee case has surfaced involving the late actress Kim Soo Mi. Her estate is owed 160 million KRW for her performance in the musical Mother-in-Law.

    The company involved, Rebyte United, is affiliated with Ilgwang Group, a defense industry company. This company is also facing controversies about unpaid staff wages and a contract dispute with the girl group IDOL.

    It seems the battle over unpaid appearance fees is far from over, as Seo Hyo Rim and others continue to wait for the money they are owed.

    Source: [1]

  • Kim Soo Hyun and G-Dragon’s First Meeting Was Full of Awkward Moments—But Now They’re Closer Than Ever

    Kim Soo Hyun and G-Dragon, two of the biggest names in K-entertainment, have finally met—and they’ve decided to skip the formalities and become friends! Fans are now hyped for the upcoming ‘88-line’ reunion featuring Jung Hae In, Kwanghee, and more!

    On February 16, the first episode of MBC’s Good Day aired, featuring the long-awaited meeting between Kim Soo Hyun and G-Dragon.

    The show is a music project variety program where G-Dragon teams up with different people to create the ultimate song of the year.

    Kim Soo Hyun welcomed G-Dragon and his team at a gym inside his agency’s building. As soon as they met, G-Dragon shared a hilarious backstory about how he thought he had contacted Kim Soo Hyun in the past—only to realize he had been talking to the wrong person!

    “I called someone named Kim Soo Hyun, thinking it was the Kim Soo Hyun… but it turned out to be a legal advisor at my company,” G-Dragon laughed.

    The two had a full 3-4 minute conversation about random topics like hiking—until G-Dragon finally figured out the mistake.

    Hearing this, Kim Soo Hyun burst into laughter, saying, “I don’t even go hiking.”

    To break the ice, they decided to hit the gym together. Kim Soo Hyun showed G-Dragon a leg-stretching exercise, and the two bonded over their workout session.

    Then, in a heartwarming moment, G-Dragon reached out his hand and said, “Soo Hyun-ah, let’s talk casually.” Kim Soo Hyun smiled and shook his hand, sealing their friendship!

    Kim Soo Hyun also shared a funny memory of how he first met fellow ‘88-liner Kwanghee. While on military leave, he was shopping for sunscreen at a beauty store when Kwanghee suddenly smacked him on the back and loudly exclaimed, “Kim Soo Hyun-ssi!”

    Mimicking Kwanghee’s high-energy voice, Kim Soo Hyun reenacted the moment, making everyone laugh. Kwanghee had excitedly said, “It’s me! Give me your number. I have all the ‘88 guys’ contacts, so let’s meet up!”

    After hearing the story, comedian Jo Se Ho suggested gathering all their ‘88-line’ celebrity friends. In the next episode, fans can look forward to seeing Kim Soo Hyun, G-Dragon, Kwanghee, Jung Hae In, Im Si Wan, and Lee Soo Hyuk together for an epic ‘88-line’ reunion!

    Are you excited to see this legendary friend group in one place? Stay tuned for the next episode!

    Source: [1]