Production company Number Three Pictures is under fire for failing to pay hundreds of actors involved in two popular Korean dramas, High School Return of a Gangster and Spirit Fingers. This scandal has surfaced following a lawsuit filed by the Korea Broadcasting Actors’ Union.
Unpaid Salaries and Legal Action
It was recently revealed that Number Three Pictures has not paid the salaries of actors involved in the dramas High School Return of a Gangster and Spirit Fingers. Both dramas completed filming last year, but the actors have yet to receive their payments.
According to the Korea Broadcasting Actors’ Union, a total of 119 actors have fallen victim to this negligence. “Number Three Pictures has completed filming on two productions, High School Return of a Gangster and Spirit Fingers, last year. However, even though a year has passed, they have not paid the salaries of 119 actors,” a spokesperson for the union stated.
High School Return Of A Gangster Drama Trailer (Doc. Viu)
The Extent of the Unpaid Wages
The unpaid wages are staggering, with the total amount reaching over 3.6 billion won (approximately $3 million). This figure could be even higher if staff not affiliated with the union are included. For the union’s members alone, the unpaid salaries amount to 90 million won for High School Return of a Gangster and about 220 million won for Spirit Fingers.
“For our association, the total unpaid salaries reached 90 million won for High School Return of a Gangster and about 220 million won for Spirit Fingers,” the union representative explained. “If we include non-associated actors and staff, the total unpaid salaries may be greater.”
A Promise to Pay
High School Return Of A Gangster Drama Trailer (Doc. Viu)
In response to the lawsuit and the public outcry, the production team met with the actors’ union and promised to settle the outstanding payments by the end of August. While this has provided some relief, the union has expressed both disappointment and understanding.
“While the delay in payment is regrettable, we recognize the challenges faced by the production company in producing the drama under difficult conditions. We have urged them to implement measures to prevent such issues from happening again in future productions,” the union stated.
High School Return of a Gangster and Spirit Fingers are both adapted from popular webtoons. Despite the financial controversy, High School Return of a Gangster has completed airing and received positive feedback from viewers when it was released last June.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the financial difficulties and ethical responsibilities within the entertainment industry. It highlights the need for better financial management and more robust protections for actors and staff involved in these productions.
