'The Great Show: Taekwondo' appearance fee nonpayment controversy has spread, and the broadcaster said it will actively cooperate to resolve the damage.
On the 5th, the broadcaster MBN issued an official position regarding the production company's appearance fee nonpayment controversy and said "MBN broadcast 'The Great Show, Taekwondo' in 2025. The company signed a production consignment contract with the production company 'Studio & Creative' and paid the full production cost of 1.88 billion won on schedule. The company also tried its best to confirm whether the production costs it paid were properly paid to producers, writers and partner companies," it said.
It added, "However, around November costs for cast and production staff were not paid, and after learning that additional production costs had occurred, we continuously requested the production company to submit documents on appearance fee payments and additional production costs. In this regard, the production company says it has no obligation to submit documents for additional production costs beyond 1.88 billion won, refuses to disclose exact payment details, and also refuses to submit other documents," saying it conveyed the production company's uncooperative attitude.
MBN said of the incident, "We are acutely aware of the situation of the cast and related parties who suffered damage," and "to promptly resolve this matter, we will demand responsible additional measures from the production company and actively cooperate in finding solutions for the affected cast and related parties. In addition, we will strive for strict management such as checking production cost payment status to prevent similar cases from recurring, and we also plan to carry out institutional improvements," it said.
Meanwhile, 'The Great Show: Taekwondo' is the world's first global taekwondo audition, a survival program in which domestic and foreign taekwondo national team members, dan holders, demonstration teams, and martial artists from various fields such as dance and parkour, as well as foreigners, challenge themselves to pick the final one. It premiered in June last year and ran for eight episodes, concluding on Aug. 15.
However, as of confirmation with the cast of 'The Great Show: Taekwondo' that day, the production company Studio & Creative reportedly has not properly paid appearance fees even seven months after the program ended. In addition, it was reported that the winner's prize of 10 million won, which should have been paid to final winner Kwon Young-in, was not delivered, sparking a backlash.
'The Great Show: Taekwondo' was produced in a structure where cast members signed contracts directly with the outsourced production company Studio & Creative and MBN had a programming contract with that production company, so the obligation to pay appearance fees and prize money is known to lie with the outsourced production company under the contract. However, because the broadcasting company is central to decisions on programming, broadcasting and advertising sales, some say that even with an outsourced production structure, it is difficult for the broadcaster to avoid responsibility.
Below is MBN's full official position regarding nonpayment of appearance fees for 'The Great Show, Taekwondo.'
MBN broadcast
The company signed a production consignment contract with the production company 'Studio & Creative,' and paid the full production cost of 1.88 billion won on schedule.
The company also tried its best to confirm whether the production costs it paid were properly paid to producers, writers and partner companies.
However, around November costs for cast and production staff were not paid, and after learning that additional production costs had occurred, we continuously requested the production company to submit documents on appearance fee payments and additional production costs.
In this regard, the production company says it has no obligation to submit documents for additional production costs beyond 1.88 billion won, refuses to disclose exact payment details, and also refuses to submit other documents.
MBN is acutely aware of the situation of the cast and related parties who suffered damage from this incident.
MBN said it will demand responsible additional measures from the production company to promptly resolve this matter and will actively cooperate in finding solutions for the affected cast and related parties.
In addition, it said it will strive for strict management such as checking production cost payment status to prevent similar cases from recurring, and plans to carry out institutional improvements as well.<
[Photo] MBN
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