"I Want to Contribute to Solving Low Birthrate"... 'I Am Solo' PD Nam Gyu-hong Launches Media Company

Specializing in Issues of Young Men and Women
Maintains Silence Amid Controversy

Nam Gyu-hong, PD of Chonjang Entertainment who produced 'I am SOLO (Solo)', has launched a media outlet called 'Solonara News'.

On the 13th, Solonara News announced its launch through its official website, stating, "We aim to contribute to solving the serious low birthrate problem by introducing the sincere appearances and backgrounds of the participants that were not fully shown on the broadcast, and by exploring and reporting on issues concerning young men and women in South Korea." It further introduced, "We will cover solo-related issues across politics, economy, and culture, focusing on South Korea's unmarried low birthrate problem."

It added, "From political policy developments on youth issues to various solo-tailored economic trends and cultural news, we will represent the voices of South Korea’s solos," and "We believe it is Solonara News’ mission to advance so that young men and women in South Korea can enjoy the happiness they naturally deserve by forming families and raising children." According to the Solonara News website, in addition to 'I am SOLO' issues, articles cover various fields such as politics, economy, culture & entertainment, and opinion.

Meanwhile, PD Nam directed the popular current affairs and educational program 'Jjak' aired on SBS from 2011 to 2014. Afterwards, he established 'Chonjang Entertainment' and has been producing 'I am SOLO' since 2021. However, Nam Gyu-hong PD has recently been embroiled in several controversies. First, as the head of the production company and main director, he listed his and his daughter's names as writers in the program's ending credits, which sparked backlash from broadcast writers.

As a result, many writers who had been with 'I am SOLO' since its early days left en masse, and the Broadcast Writers Association even issued a statement condemning Nam Gyu-hong PD. Subsequently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, through the Artist Rights Protection and Sexual Harassment & Sexual Violence Relief Committee (Artist Rights Protection Committee), deliberated and decided to impose a fine of 1.5 million KRW on Chonjang Entertainment. They also recommended corrective measures such as signing contracts on equal terms with writers, issuing written contracts to them, and submitting recurrence prevention plans including the implementation details related to contract signing and issuance.