On April 13, major industry bodies—including the Korea Entertainment Management Association and the Korean Broadcasting Actors Labor Union—issued a joint statement demanding that the production company of the musical My Mother immediately settle the outstanding payments.
The organizations emphasized that the issue goes far beyond a simple contractual dispute. According to their statement, the payment deadline had been clearly defined, yet the fees have remained unpaid for nearly two years, raising serious ethical and legal concerns.
The joint statement strongly condemned the situation, calling it: “A serious illegal act that violates contractual good faith and disrupts industry order—an act of disrespect toward the deceased.”
The case has already been formally submitted for ethical review, signaling that the matter is being treated with the highest level of seriousness within the industry.
Industry groups have warned that failure to resolve the issue could lead to severe consequences, including:
- Classification of the case as an illegal act
- Industry-wide sanctions against the production company
- Potential blacklisting or expulsion from the entertainment sector
Officials stressed that they are prepared to take decisive action, stating they would “respond with full force” to ensure justice is served.
Beyond Kim Soo Mi’s case, the controversy has reignited discussions about systemic issues in Korea’s performance industry.
According to the statement, many actors continue to face delayed or unpaid wages, threatening their livelihoods and hindering the industry’s long-term growth.
Kim Soo Mi, who performed in My Mother for 14 years since its 2010 premiere, reportedly passed away in October 2025 without receiving the compensation she was owed—making the situation even more emotionally charged.
As public scrutiny intensifies, attention is now focused on how the production company will respond. With industry organizations escalating the matter, this case could become a turning point in addressing long-standing payment practices in Korean theater and entertainment.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
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