A scene from a filming set. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s television industry, long celebrated for its global influence, remains mired in poor labor conditions—where freelance writers, producers, and crew often work close to 30 hours straight without rest and rely on verbal contracts instead of written agreements.
A new report by the Korea Creative Content Agency, released Sunday, revealed that the average broadcast production worker logged 49.9 hours a week in 2024, with producers working 56 hours and writers 52.6 hours. Many reported marathon work sessions averaging 19.7 hours without going home—nearly 29 hours for producers and 23 hours for writers.
One variety show producer with six years of experience told researchers, “Working 12 hours a day is standard. If I get one day off in a week, that’s considered a good week.”
The survey found that 34.4 percent of workers had only verbal agreements, while 41 percent of writers and 46 percent of technical staff said they lacked written contracts. Even among those with paperwork, about one-third were classified as freelancers rather than employees.
‘No Time to Go Home’: Inside the Harsh Reality of Korea’s Broadcast Industry (Yonhap)
Nearly one in five broadcast writers said they had been dismissed mid-contract, often because of production cuts or early cancellations due to low ratings. More than half of all respondents said they were dissatisfied with job security, and 84 percent of writers reported living with constant anxiety about employment stability.
Average annual pay stood at 43.1 million won (about US$30,000) before taxes, with veteran producers saying salaries barely rose even after a decade in the industry.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor described broadcast production as a leading example of “workers outside the scope of rights”—a category that includes freelancers, platform laborers, and contract-based staff often excluded from legal protections.
In response, the ministry announced plans to introduce a “Workplace Rights Protection Act” next year, aimed at extending legal safeguards and benefits to such workers. The ministry has allocated 402.5 billion won (US$280 million) in next year’s budget to support these measures.
Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon, who recently met with TV writers and production staff, said, “People remember the work, but the government will remember the people behind it. We will push for policies that protect their rights and dignity.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
