Media Union Condemns "I Am Solo" Director for Abuse and Harsh Remarks as Rebroadcast Fee Dispute Grows

Modification of Copyright Clauses in Standard Contract Requested by Association
PD: "We Did Writers' Work... No Need to Receive Copyright Fees"

Broadcast writers have called on Nam Kyuhong, the director of the variety show "I Am Solo," which has recently faced allegations of "rebroadcast fee extortion" and "nepotism," to issue an apology.

On April 10, the Broadcasting Writers Division of the National Union of Media Workers released a statement, strongly condemning Nam's abuse of power and harsh remarks that disregard writers' rights and labor rights. The union criticized him for shifting responsibility for the lack of written contracts onto industry practices and for shamelessly inflicting secondary harm on victimized writers.

Nam Kyuhong, PD who directed the variety show "I Am Solo," jointly produced by ENA and SBS Plus.
[Photo by ENA·SBS Plus]

The controversy surrounding Nam began on April 9, following revelations from writers who had previously worked with him. According to reports, the writers requested a service contract in accordance with the Korea Broadcasting Writers Association's standard form. However, the contract provided by Nam had the sections related to copyrights, as required by the association, altered. As a result, the writers were later informed by the association that they would not be eligible for rebroadcast fees.

The Broadcasting Writers Division claims that Nam unilaterally presented the writers with an unfair contract, having removed the copyright-related clauses stipulated in the standard contract, using falsehoods and unreasonable arguments.

According to the "Copyright Trust Contract Terms" set by the Korea Copyright Commission and the Broadcasting Writers Association, non-member writers may enter into a trust contract to receive copyright royalties. The standard contract provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stipulates that manuscript copyright, secondary use, and exclusive rights must be clearly defined in accordance with copyright law.

The union also pointed out that Nam listed himself, other PDs, and his daughter in the writers' credits. Some have raised suspicions that Nam and his daughter may have been seeking to benefit from rebroadcast fees.

As the controversy grew, Nam responded, "PDs often do the work of writers, and since they contributed as writers, I told them to be credited as such," adding, "Even if I did all the planning, if it is not explicitly credited, five or ten years later, it could be claimed by someone else."

He further stated, "There is no evidence left when a PD works as a writer. That is why I believe credits must be given, and I think this should be done for the benefit of future junior PDs as well."

Regarding his daughter being credited as a writer, he explained, "Writer Nam Inhu wrote the subtitles, so she was credited as the subtitle writer. If another director handles the subtitles, their name will also be credited. This is the procedure that the production company should follow, and we decided to do so accordingly."

He firmly denied the accusation that he was seeking rebroadcast fees, stating, "We do not need to receive them."

Meanwhile, the Broadcasting Writers Division stated, "Broadcasting is the result of collaboration, combining the sweat and passion of countless staff members. It is not something that can be made by just one person," urging Nam to sincerely apologize to the harmed writers and disappointed viewers and to take responsibility for resolving the situation.