Taking a role in a drama can sometimes be a financial gamble. Occasionally a drama will not generate enough of an audience and thus merit the distribution deals needed to break even. And production companies may face unexpected production costs that break an already limited budget. When that happens, an independent production company may have a hard time paying its cast and crew.
That's what happened to the cast of the recent tvN cable drama "Valid Love." The drama ended in February. As of August, actors Uhm Tae Woong and Lee Si Young had not been paid, but it is not known whether the supporting actors, including Choi Yeo Jin and Lee Soo Hyuk, were paid.
The actors in "Valid Love" did a fine job with the story of a woman who loves two men and is honest about it. But the drama's plot was not to everyone's taste and, although well worth watching, it was not a hit.
tvN representatives spoke to the Korean media outlet Donga and said that the issue has nothing to do with them. It is the production company KPAX that owes the actors the money they are due.
"The amount owed by the broadcasting station was paid this February. The guarantee of the cast is all up to the outsourced production company."
KPAX also had problems paying the actors who appeared in the 2013 drama "Goddess of Fire: Jeonji." The drama ended on Oct. 22, 2013 but by the end of December 2013 Moon Geun Young and Kim Bum had not been paid.
At that time KPAX said the main actors of the drama agreed to wait for their payment so that supporting actors could be paid first. The producers were waiting for money from overseas sales so they could make good on their promises.
"The pay is being delayed as the overseas contract for the distribution of the drama is taking longer than expected. We are doing our best to solve this matter."
It is not known how the pay issue was ultimately resolved.
In 2013, the Korean media outlet Hankyoreh, quoted an anonymous actor only identified as B, who said that he was cheated out of a few thousand dollars when the producers fled the country and the broadcasters said they were not responsible.
K-dramas used to be produced in house but for the last 15 years have increasingly been outsourced to production companies, with the broadcaster paying about 50 percent of the cost. If top stars are involved they may cover more. The TV channels keep the advertising revenue and may share revenue from product placement. The salaries of top actors in Korean productions may take over 50 percent of the budget, whereas in other countries it can be as low as 10 percent. Actors are not usually paid until the last episode airs. Some actors become rich from a single drama, while others are left in a difficult position.
