The audience enjoys a K-pop concert at the Seoul Sports Complex in Jamsil, southern Seoul, in this file photo taken Dec. 10, 2023. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Council has established legal grounds to safeguard the rights of young cultural artists, such as ‘idol trainees,’ who are often in a vulnerable position due to their young age and unstable status.
On January 10, the Seoul City Council announced that the ‘Ordinance on the Protection and Support of the Rights of Youth Cultural Artists in Seoul,’ proposed by Council Member Kim Kyu-nam (People Power Party, Songpa 1), passed the 321st regular session in December of last year.
According to the council, as of September last year, 82.3% (3,930) of the 4,774 entertainment agencies registered in South Korea were operating in Seoul. Despite the majority of idol training and activities taking place in Seoul, there had been no institutional basis for protecting the rights of idol trainees.
The ordinance plans to prevent physical and psychological health damage and human rights violations of young trainees, including sexual harassment, forced weight loss, and cosmetic surgery.
Early response measures like psychological evaluations and counseling will be provided for trainees showing signs of similar risks. Career counseling will also be included for those who fail to debut or whose contracts expire or are terminated.
The Child and Youth Media Rights Network (hereafter Network), which is affiliated with the Hanbit Media Labor Rights Center, welcomed the passage of the ordinance on January 18.
Officials from the organization remarked, “Many teenagers endure years as trainees in hopes of becoming ‘idols,’ facing infringements of their educational rights and other human rights abuses. The ordinance established in Seoul, where the entertainment industry is concentrated, will contribute to exploring institutional support measures.”
Network officials also noted the harsh reality that although nearly 2,000 trainees are affiliated with agencies, less than 1% debut, and even fewer establish themselves as singers.
They criticized Korean society for neglecting this issue, stating that it was time to stop ignoring the lives of numerous teenagers sacrificed in this unhealthy, endless competition without a safety net.
However, the Network expressed concerns that the new ordinance might not be sufficiently effective if it only adds related counseling costs and operational expenses to the existing youth counseling system.
Officials expressed hope for improvements in the future implementation of the ordinance to ensure its effectiveness. The Network also highlighted the ‘Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act’ amendment, which has been pending in the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee for over eight months.
This amendment aims to refine regulations on working hours for young pop culture artists and appoint youth rights protection officers on set. The Network emphasized the urgent need for legislative amendments at the national level, similar to the ordinance passed by the Seoul Metropolitan Council.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
