Seo Hyo-rim Unpaid for 4 Years: Former Agency Claims “We Want to Pay, But There’s No Money”

In a protracted dispute that has spanned over four years, actress Seo Hyo-rim continues to grapple with unpaid fees, despite having won a court ruling in her favor. With more than ₩100 million still outstanding, the situation remains unresolved, leaving her career and financial wellbeing on shaky ground.

Seo Hyo-rim has faced considerable challenges due to these financial disputes. Between May 2021 and July 2022, she did not receive compensation for her performances in popular projects such as the drama The Red Sleeve, the film In Dream, and various variety shows and advertisements.

In 2022, following mounting frustrations, Seo Hyo-rim pursued legal action against her former agency, MAGIQ, led by CEO Kim Sun-ok, claiming approximately ₩89 million in unpaid wages. The court’s verdict was in her favor, leading to a total owed amount of ₩120 million when interest was factored in.

During a recent interview with Dispatch, representatives on behalf of Seo Hyo-rim expressed their disappointment: “Even with the court’s decision, MAGIQ insists that they are unable to make payments. They often promise small monthly payments or that they will settle once they have sufficient funds, but we perceive these as tactics to delay the resolution.”

In October, the actress escalated the situation by reaching out to the Korea Entertainment Management Association (KEMA) and filed for arbitration with their Sanctions and Ethics Committee, alleging embezzlement and seeking the recovery of her unpaid earnings.

A spokesperson from KEMA noted, “We are currently assessing the documentation provided by both parties. Disputes related to payments are severe concerns within the industry, and we will conduct a thorough investigation based on the available evidence.”

When confronted about the ongoing delays, CEO Kim Sun-ok stated, “It’s not that we refuse to pay; we find ourselves in a position where we simply cannot fulfill our obligations. Our financial status has become precarious.” She indicated that although she proposed settling the amounts in smaller installments, these proposals were turned down.

In a follow-up call with Dispatch, Kim further elaborated, “Unforeseen circumstances have hindered our ability to make timely payments. It is my intention to resolve this matter swiftly; however, the ongoing media attention is adversely impacting our roster of actors, complicating our circumstances.”

In a related note, a recent petition was lodged with KEMA concerning unpaid fees for the late Kim Soo-mi regarding her role in the musical Mom. The involved party is Rebyte United, a subsidiary of Ilgwang Group, a defense contractor, which reportedly owes ₩160 million to Kim Soo-mi’s estate.

Rebyte United has also been identified as the parent company of Blockberry Creative, which has had its own share of disputes, notably a contract conflict with the girl group LOONA. As the production organization for Mom, it has been cited for a staggering total of ₩400 million in unpaid wages owed to various cast members and crew.

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