Pas de revenus pour acteurs coréens de Netflix, malgré le succès de Squid Game & The Glory
Netflix refuses to pay residuals to South Korean actors despite the massive success of shows like Squid Game and The Glory. This is causing frustration among actors and the Korea Broadcasting Actors Union, who report that Netflix is not meeting with them to discuss this issue. Residuals are a form of royalty paid to talent after a show’s initial release, and their absence is particularly unfair considering the profits Netflix has made from Korean content. Let’s delve deeper into this topic and understand why Netflix doesn’t pay residuals to South Korean actors.
The Success of South Korean Content on Netflix
Netflix has been expanding its library of original South Korean content in recent years, with hits like Squid Game captivating audiences worldwide. Squid Game, which was released in 2021, remains the streaming service’s most-watched series to date. Recognizing the popularity of Korean shows and movies, Netflix has announced a major expansion to its Korean slate for 2023.
The Lack of Residual Payment for South Korean Actors
Despite the success of South Korean content on Netflix, the streaming service does not pay residuals to South Korean actors. This has become a cause for concern, particularly as the SAG-AFTRA strike continues. Song Chang-gon, the president of the Korea Broadcasting Actors Union, claims that Netflix refuses to meet with them to discuss the issue of residuals for their members.
Residuals are a form of ongoing payment made to talent after a show’s initial release. They serve as a royalty for the actors’ contributions and ensure that they are fairly compensated for their work. However, Netflix’s refusal to pay residuals to South Korean actors raises questions about the fairness and equity in their compensation policies.
The Unjust Distribution of Production Budgets
Song Chang-gon highlights the issue of Netflix’s uneven distribution of production budgets. While significant sums of money are allocated to star actors and popular screenwriters, supporting actors often face stagnant or decreasing wages. This inequitable distribution of funds further exacerbates the issue of unfair compensation for South Korean actors.
Additionally, shoots for Netflix originals, particularly those in genres like zombies or creature features, tend to be more labor-intensive. Despite the increased workload, actors are expected to show up for multiple shoots for a single episode without sufficient additional compensation. This exploitation of talent without proper compensation is unacceptable.
The Need for Global Solidarity
Song Chang-gon suggests that similar organizations representing actors around the world should engage with one another to build a sense of solidarity. By collaborating and sharing their experiences, actors’ unions can collectively address issues like fair compensation and advocate for better working conditions.
The Response from Netflix
Despite the concerns raised by the Korea Broadcasting Actors Union, Netflix has declined to respond to the report. In a written statement, Netflix stated that they are acting in accordance with all local laws and regulations in South Korea. However, this response does not address the issue of residuals for South Korean actors and the imbalance in their compensation.
The Larger Problem of Under-Compensation
The issue of residuals for South Korean actors is part of a larger problem in the entertainment industry. American actors have also been vocal about the low residual pay they receive from streaming services like Netflix. The current strike by SAG-AFTRA seeks to address this issue and other concerns related to fair pay for actors.
It is evident that Netflix has profited from a system that under-compensates actors, whether they are involved in American or Korean content. Fair pay is long overdue, and it is essential for streaming services like Netflix to recognize the importance of compensating actors fairly for their valuable contributions.
Overall, the absence of residuals for South Korean actors on Netflix raises significant concerns about fair compensation and equitable treatment in the industry. It is crucial for all stakeholders to come together and address this issue to ensure that actors are justly compensated for their work in the future.
Source : screenrant.com
