Slavery is defined as forced work without pay, under the threat of violence and unable to leave. Right this second over 20 million people around the globe are trapped in slavery (Lalonde, 2013). But did you know that we have the possibility to end slavery within 25 years (Lalonde, 2013).
Korea's Entertainment Industry is one of the biggest and most cut-throat industries in the world. The K-pop industry is one of South Korea's main sources of income and a way to improve their economy. Back in 2009 the K-pop industry's global sales were over $30 million (Williams, 2011). Government websites have predicted that over the last couple of years this number has quadrupled.
K-pop is an expensive product to produce. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are invested into K-pop groups in order to make a massive profit. In order to produce a successful K-pop group the group needs a team of managers, choreographers, wardrobe assistants, years of dance and vocal lessons, as well as accommodation and living expenses (Williams, 2011). Unfortunately for the group as part of their contract they must pay back the amount of money the company has invested in them (Lander, 2013). This results in the group working crazy hours for little to no pay for a number of years.
A couple of years ago the boy band DBSK (Dong Bang Shin Ki) went to court against their management company on the grounds that their 13 year contract was too long and restrictive and that they received none of the profits from their successes (Williams, 2011). After DBSK won their case the Fair Trade Commission started to notice that DBSK weren't the only ones trapped in slave contracts. In order to help stop this and improve the idols conditions the Fair Trade Commission issued 'model contracts' to be in-placed at all entertainment companies (Williams, 2011).
Unfortunately over the years the bigger companies have managed to find loop holes around these model contracts in order to exploit artists (Lander, 2013).
Korean idols are still trapped in 10 to 15 year long contracts and face years of abuse, exploitation and restrictions in their lives.
I guess the next question is will South Korea's entertainment industry end up more famous for it's idols or the way it treats its idols?
Please help fight against this social justice issue in Korean society and help spread the word because people need to remember
Slavery- It works better when you don't know they're slaves
Korea's Entertainment Industry is one of the biggest and most cut-throat industries in the world. The K-pop industry is one of South Korea's main sources of income and a way to improve their economy. Back in 2009 the K-pop industry's global sales were over $30 million (Williams, 2011). Government websites have predicted that over the last couple of years this number has quadrupled.
K-pop is an expensive product to produce. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are invested into K-pop groups in order to make a massive profit. In order to produce a successful K-pop group the group needs a team of managers, choreographers, wardrobe assistants, years of dance and vocal lessons, as well as accommodation and living expenses (Williams, 2011). Unfortunately for the group as part of their contract they must pay back the amount of money the company has invested in them (Lander, 2013). This results in the group working crazy hours for little to no pay for a number of years.
A couple of years ago the boy band DBSK (Dong Bang Shin Ki) went to court against their management company on the grounds that their 13 year contract was too long and restrictive and that they received none of the profits from their successes (Williams, 2011). After DBSK won their case the Fair Trade Commission started to notice that DBSK weren't the only ones trapped in slave contracts. In order to help stop this and improve the idols conditions the Fair Trade Commission issued 'model contracts' to be in-placed at all entertainment companies (Williams, 2011).
Unfortunately over the years the bigger companies have managed to find loop holes around these model contracts in order to exploit artists (Lander, 2013).
Korean idols are still trapped in 10 to 15 year long contracts and face years of abuse, exploitation and restrictions in their lives.
I guess the next question is will South Korea's entertainment industry end up more famous for it's idols or the way it treats its idols?
Please help fight against this social justice issue in Korean society and help spread the word because people need to remember
Slavery- It works better when you don't know they're slaves
References
Lalonde, J. 2013, 10 Facts You Should Know About Modern Slavery, viewed 18/10/2014, http://www.jmlalonde.com/10-facts-you-should-know-about-modern-day-slavery/
Williams,L. 2011, The Dark Side of South Korean Pop Music, viewed 18/10/2014, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13760064
Lander, M. 2013, K-Pop and the Future of Korea, viewed 18/10/2014, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mimsie-ladner/kpop-korea-music_b_3784115.html
Williams,L. 2011, The Dark Side of South Korean Pop Music, viewed 18/10/2014, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13760064
Lander, M. 2013, K-Pop and the Future of Korea, viewed 18/10/2014, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mimsie-ladner/kpop-korea-music_b_3784115.html