Prices and Penalty Criteria for Each Seudeume Service
Must Be Specified in Contracts
To address the abuses in 'Seudeume (studio photography, dress rental, makeup)' services, a standard contract has been established between wedding preparation agencies and consumers. Going forward, wedding agencies must specify the prices for each Seudeume service and the criteria for penalty charges in the contract. This will make it difficult for wedding agencies to engage in so-called 'blind contracts' without clearly disclosing individual Seudeume prices, which have previously caused distress to prospective couples.
On the 3rd, the Fair Trade Commission announced the establishment of a 'Standard Contract for Wedding Preparation Agencies' to improve transaction order and prevent consumer damage in the wedding planner sector.
The newly created standard contract includes a front cover form that allows consumers to easily check the basic Seudeume services and additional options (such as assigned staff, dress assistants, hairpieces) along with their prices at a glance.
The contract requires detailed information on service content and prices to prevent prospective couples from being unaware of the final amount they must pay and from facing unexpected additional charges.
Additionally, the contract explicitly states the criteria for refunds (penalty charges) upon contract cancellation or termination, and sets reasonable refund (penalty) policies depending on the cause of cancellation and whether the agency service has commenced.
Before selecting individual partner companies, the average penalty standards and the possibility of penalty charges must be explained, and after selection, the actual penalty standards of the chosen partner must be re-communicated and consumer consent obtained.
In cases where the contract is canceled or terminated due to the consumer's fault, the agency may claim all or part of the damages it owes to the partner company from the consumer, thereby protecting the agency's business interests.
Furthermore, the contract confirms the consumer's statutory right of withdrawal, prohibits agencies from charging additional fees when service changes occur due to the agency's fault, and requires agencies to inform consumers about the type and coverage of payment guarantee insurance if they are enrolled.
The Fair Trade Commission initiated the standard contract due to a sharp increase in consumer complaints related to Seudeume services. According to the Korea Consumer Agency, the number of Seudeume-related damage consultations rose from 790 cases in 2021 to 1,117 in 2022, and 1,293 in 2023, an increase of over 64% in the past two years. Particularly, disputes related to contract termination, such as failure to notify or insufficient notification of penalty charge criteria, accounted for 65.3% of all disputes, the highest proportion.
The Fair Trade Commission stated, "With the establishment of the standard contract, prospective couples can specifically compare the content and prices of Seudeume services and make the most reasonable consumption within their budget." It added, "This will especially alleviate the financial burden on couples preparing for marriage and is expected to lower the psychological barriers to marriage in the long term."
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