[비즈한국] Can idols also form a labor union? Moves to establish the first-ever 'Idol Union' in South Korea have begun. An idol labor union preparatory committee has been formed, led by Bang Min-su (stage name C.A.P), a former member of the idol group Teen Top. Aiming for an official launch within the year, they submitted an application for the establishment of a labor union to the Seongnam Branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor last September.
Currently, the Idol Labor Union Preparatory Committee (Idol Prep Committee) consists of Chairman Bang Min-su, about 10 active idols, and Seo Min-seon, a researcher at the Democratic Party of Korea's Youth Policy Institute. Although they submitted their union application to the labor office in September, they hit a wall regarding the issue of 'employee status.' The labor office requested additional documentation to prove the employee status of idols.
The items the labor office requested as proof include: whether the service provider’s income is primarily dependent on a specific business entity; whether the service provider accesses the market through a specific business entity by providing essential services; the continuity and exclusivity of the legal relationship between the service provider and the specific business entity; whether a relationship of command and supervision exists between the employer and the service provider; and whether income, such as wages or salaries, is compensation for providing labor.
In response, the Idol Prep Committee provided evidence to address the labor office's requirements based on actual idol contracts and cases, citing: the inability to take on secondary employment without the agency's consent; the requirement to notify the agency immediately and remain reachable at all times when changing residence or contact information; the requirement to reside only in dormitories agreed upon with the agency; and the mandate to participate in training provided by the agency.
Historically, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has held the position that it is difficult to view idols as laborers. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has taken a similar stance. Last year, when a complaint was filed alleging that NewJeans member Hanni had been subjected to workplace harassment at HYBE352820, the Ministry of Employment and Labor stated, "It is difficult to view them as employees under the Labor Standards Act, so we have closed the case administratively." They determined that contracts between agencies and idols do not constitute labor under the Labor Standards Act.
Regarding this, Chairman Bang Min-su emphasized that recognizing idols' employee status is possible. Bang told BizHankook, "It hasn't been established before simply because no one had attempted to form an idol labor union. At first, the labor office explained that acceptance might not be possible, but after submitting actual idol contracts, we received a positive response that acceptance might be possible within the year. I believe these attempts weren't made previously because agencies forbid the leakage of contracts through non-disclosure clauses."
The Idol Prep Committee's first activities involved submitting a petition demanding the cancellation of HYBE's designation as a "Leading Enterprise" and calling for the protection of idols. On the morning of November 6, the committee submitted a petition to the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office requesting an investigation into allegations against HYBE, including music chart manipulation, plagiarism, workplace harassment, and industrial accidents. The committee also demanded the cancellation of HYBE’s "Leading Enterprise" status, arguing that if performance figures are fraudulent or social controversy arises, the Ministry of Employment and Labor can revoke such designations.
On the afternoon of the same day, they submitted a petition to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requesting policy improvements, including: investigations into agencies where suicides of affiliated idols have occurred; inspections into the existence of mental health management and crisis response manuals; and a review of the 'employee status' interpretation within the Standard Exclusive Contract for Popular Culture and Artists.
Chairman Bang Min-su explained, "The first and only goal of the idol union is to be recognized as laborers and ensure a 'minimum standard of living.' This is the direction the idol labor union will take. We must get idols' employee status recognized so they can receive minimum subsistence costs, enrollment in the four major social insurance programs, and basic protections like workers' compensation for industrial accidents."
Bang added, "Some critics claim there are political intentions, but the reality is different. While preparing for the establishment of the idol labor union, I requested help from several political parties and other labor unions, but all but one refused, citing a lack of interest or the belief that it is difficult to view idols as laborers. Therefore, I prepared for the establishment with practical assistance from a researcher at the Democratic Party of Korea's Youth Policy Institute."
Pop culture critic Kim Heon-sik noted, "The necessity for an idol labor union is clear," adding, "While it may be difficult to have the application accepted by officially proving employee status, the fact that they have taken the first step is highly significant. Only when social discourse is generated and awareness is raised can it influence laws and judicial precedents." He further emphasized, "A shift in public perception is also crucial. People only think of successful idols in large agencies, but in reality, 99.9% of idols face poor conditions. To protect the rights and interests of idols, we need a labor union that can encompass and protect not just idols, but all music industry workers."