Unfair Contract in Entertainment World, Large Scale Investigation by Fair Trade Commission (FTC)

Fair trade commission (FTC) started investigation regarding correction of unfair contract in entertainment world.

FTC stated that it will investigate comprehensively the whole entertainment industry such as entertainers, entertainment management companies etc from 25th till 6th of April, as improvement in each industry.

At first FTC will investigate 30~40 major entertainment management companies, which have many entertainers or have high profit, and those who belong to such kind of management companies like singers, talent, actors, anchors, freelancers in broadcasting.

In addition, it will include related organizations like Korea Entertainment Producers Association (KEPA) and if necessary, it will investigate broadcasting and movie production, which makes a contract with entertainers.

FTC will especially concentrate on investigation whether management companies misuse its position to belonged entertainers and associations related to entertainment bothers business activity of member companies or not and unfair contract situation between management companies and entertainers.

Also, FTC will investigate reported contents, which was received by FTC or cases, which were reported to press, too.

FTC will repair systems like legislating standard agreements, which will be used in exclusive contract for entertainer, reflecting the result as soon as investigation finishes.

As a result, if unfair behavior of association or Management Company is revealed FTC will correct it.

Jang Hang Suk, chief of investigation dept at FTC, said, ¡°recently, information regarding unfair bargaining is increasing rapidly following sudden growth of entertainment industry. Therefore, we decided to investigate in order to protect the right of employees in this field as well as reduce the harm.¡° and, ¡°as soon as investigation finishes regarding entertainment world, we plan to start investigation in connection with pro-sports field like pro-baseball and pro-basketball, etc.¡°

sanjuck@donga.com