'Produce 101' contract terms revealed, contestants paid $0

[allsugarfree.livejournal.com]

In the contract signed between CJ E&M and entertainment agencies for the Mnet trainee survival show “Produce 101,” strict terms are outlined that protect CJ E&M and the show from spoilers and legal action.

Local news source Ilgan Sports obtained a copy of the contract between CJ E&M, the company that owns Mnet, and the entertainment agencies sending their trainees to the Mnet show “Produce 101.” The contract states that agencies and the third party (i.e. the trainee) cannot take legal action (criminal or civil) that seeks to hold CJ E&M liable for any negative reaction from audiences and netizens. This protects the company from blame caused by “Devil’s editing,” for example, which has been a source of controversy for some Mnet shows like “Superstar K” when audiences and contestants claim that the producers are editing the show in an unfavorable way.

The contract also prohibits the trainee and related family and friends, and the agency to reveal any information about the show on social media networks or media outlets, as well as record or appear on shows on any other networks or media outlets. The contract can be terminated by CJ E&M if this term is violated.

Financially, the trainee gets no pay for appearing on the show, and any profit made from music releases will be shared 50-50 between CJ E&M and the agency. The entertainment agency also shares in the cost of producing the music releases.

Also appearing in the contract is CJ E&M’s “incubating system.” At the end of the show, whoever gets selected as the final member has to be part of the “incubating system” for 10 months, during which CJ E&M manages/trains the contestant.

An affiliate of “Produce 101″ emphasized in a interview with Osen and TVReport that the terms outlined in the contract are legally common and are there to protect copyright and prevent leaks. The “incubating system” means that the final 11 trainees will debut through Mnet and promote together for about ten months. As for the no pay, this is said to be typical of competition/audition programs which contestants volunteer to be a part of.

“Produce 101″ is a large-scale survival show produced by Mnet with 101 trainees from 46 entertainment agencies competing to become part of a project girl group.

Naver:

1. [+754, -28] Mnet always plays so dirty...

2. [+731, -116] No wonder a few trainees were maliciously edited while JellyFish trainees, who are under the CJ branch, are shown as angels ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ for example, JellyFish trainee Kim Se Jung benefited the most out of this, no?

3. [+541, -13] Of course ㅋㅋ Mnet is infamous for malicious edits from 'Superstar K' to 'SMTM' and 'Unpretty Rap Star', these contracts don't even surprise me

4. [+99, -6] It honestly says a lot more about the producers for editing things in the certain way that they do. They know that this could negatively impact a kid's future and yet they edit her clips with malicious intent. JYP needs to take Somi out of the show, they're just going to ruin her image.

5. [+107, -9] Kim Se Jung is perfect in all areas of skills, character, and looks. I genuinely support her debut. However, instead of letting her shine on her own, Mnet purposely edits clips to make it look like she's a rival with Jun Somi, adding clips of Somi looking upset at Kim Se Jung. Mnet is trash. You can tell that they're biased towards trainees from companies under their network branch. What're they doing to these kids with dreams ㅡㅡ

6. [+68, -3] Wow, this is bad... especially the part about trainees not getting paid... Is Mnet saying they should be grateful for even getting a chance to be on TV??????? Talk about power tripping..

7. [+62, -3] The trainees are paid $0 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I see a lot of red flags being raised by broadcast organizations and child labor agencies ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Nate:

1. [+126, -3] Are Mnet thugs???

2. [+120, -3] This is pretty much a slave contract...

3. [+105, -3] Those Mnet trash power tripping again

4. [+26, -2] Sad that these trainees had to sign this contract knowing the terms because they had no other choice...

5. [+15, -0] Power tripping

Daum:

1. [+97, -2] That's scary, I wouldn't sign it but I guess they had to for that public screentime

2. [+75, -3] The industry is just that competitive... tsk tsk tsk

3. [+64, -1] If Mnet is paying them $0, then does that mean their agency is paying them instead??? Because that's problematic if no one is paying them at all

4. [+16, -0] Slave contract...


Source: soompi via Naver: 1, 2 & 3
netizenbuzz via naver, nate & daum

Comments

[myrrhcat.livejournal.com]

i mean... who's surprised

[adenar.livejournal.com]

so what did mnet/cje&m blackmail these companies with to get them to appear? or was it literally just 'exposure' they wanted?

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

exposure=popularity=money
Even if they don't end up in the group if they win fans in this show they would follow them for the next group or as a solo in their own company. It's good for them, not fair for the girls, but that never seemed to be a problem for the companies.

[alleybetwixt.livejournal.com]

Pretty standard, really.

[typhlogirl.livejournal.com]

how

is

this

legal

[waves-of-light.livejournal.com]

Not surprised at all

[innnnnnnnn2.livejournal.com]

I expected the money issue, but I'm honestly more pissed about the waiver of their rights to complain about/sue for evil editing that the girls had to sign. It's different when the reality show participants are adult rappers who have been in the business for a while and know how to navigate the industry, but these are really young girls and Mnet's editing could fuck up their chances of building a successful career.

[ariellm13.livejournal.com]

I'm on the fence because they are clearly gonna abuse that clause but they do need to have it. If they didn't, anyone who came out looking badly would be able to sue them regardless of if them looking bad was mnet's fault or their own.

Think UPR. Yezi was edited badly by Mnet but they didn't give Truedy evil editing and she still came out badly. If they didn't have this clause, Truedy could sue them for making her look bad even though they did everything for her.

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

jfc
While it's not surprising, being confirmed about this things it still shocks me for a second.
It makes 0 sense that they are not paid for this. But the industry is oversaturated and the girls only see the opportunity and take everything that is offered. Any port in a storm.
It's not even only a problem in entertainment. The idea that you don't need to be paid because you get exposure is in a lot of jobs. It's disgusting U_U

[typhlogirl.livejournal.com]

The idea that you don't need to be paid because you get exposure is in a lot of jobs. It's disgusting U_U

God I feel this so hard; I was recently offered some entry-level stuff that would give me experience in a field I'm interested in, and I was legit stunned when they said I'd be paid for it.

the worst part is I would have taken it regardless, lmao

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

Similar here. I once accepted three moths of an internship that I got paid but it was only enough to paid the rent. I still had to ask my parents money for the bills and food. And I was happy! because it meant more things to put on my resume.
But after that I had to go back to my city with my parents because I didn't get any job (even when I looked for unpaid ones) and I couldn't keep living there :(

And congrats for the job!

[typhlogirl.livejournal.com]

ty! it's only something small and irregular but I've been unemployed for so long (the economy for my main profession - engineering - is fucking abysmal rn) that I was just happy to be given something to do, lmao! What's your field, if you don't mind me asking?

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

I admire people who does engineering or goes to any field that implicates to be very studious. I'm such a bad student lol

No problem. I don't know what is the name in english of what I did. I think it would be something like Image technician, but it was mostly photography and after that Audiovisual Communication (to work on tv, cinema, radio, etc.).
My first internship was in a photography studio, and the second one (the one I talked about in the previous comment) in a news agency, what I did there it has not much to do with what I studied but it was a very important company and I tought it would be good to have it on my resumé. And for personal reasons I had to stop looking for a job but now I don't even know where to start again. I guess I would end up doing things on my own to at least have something to "show" xD

[typhlogirl.livejournal.com]

Aw ty bb! If it makes you feel better I only scraped through my degree by the skin of my teeth, lmao - I'm not exactly an honours student! Your field sounds awesome, btw, and it sounds like you've had some great experience! I know how you feel RE: the stresses of trying to get back onto your career path (I just had an interview - I've applied for so many jobs that I managed to mix it up with another one :/ WHOOPS). Good luck with it!

[lightframes.livejournal.com]

Can I ask what type of engineering?

[typhlogirl.livejournal.com]

Chemical/Process engineering!

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

It kinda makes sense though if we see this as an audition programme, which it pretty much is. I'm pretty sure all of the audition shows on tv don't pay their contestants, at least until the top 10/12 like American Idol contestants. The right thing to do is to give them a weekly allowance, ala Masterchef but again, that's a much smaller pool of contestants. Also, these kids are already under contract from their own companies. Sure it's unfair and manipulative, and mnet profits off them but when you've got groups like AOA only starting to get paid after 3 years... truthfully speaking there's not much difference for them, on or off the tv show.

IA, unpaid internships are the worst.

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

Yep. It "does make sense" from a commercial point of view, but my moral doesn't allow it on my head hahaha
I'm not familiar with the paid on this kind of shows. I know in my country the ones who are more like a reality and not so much a contest/audition they do get paid, but I don't know about the rest.
And I'm sure on this case, even being 101 girls they have enough money to pay something (the money this shows can get out of it is crazy) even if it's a small quantity just because without them there is not show. They are giving a service, which is not free for them because in this society someone's time is money, so they should get paid.
They are using the mentality of "if you don't want it, someone else would". Which it has been a common mentality to exploit workers since forever. It's what I expect and I don't think they are being fooled because they/their parents/the company knew what they were getting into, but I'm still reluctant
I'm not saying you're not right, because you are. I'm just letting my anger about this go out xD

And this has nothing much to do with the rest, but I wouldn't be surprise either if all the girls don't have the same contract. Some of the girls from the bigger companies or the girls that were already known could have a different better deal.

[carra-mia.livejournal.com]

This is kpop's world equivalent of all those infamous internships...
Like imma do not pay you bc exposure but here in reality it will give something to maybe 20-30 girls and the rest will end up in exactly same place as they were, with how this show is directed&edited they're just glorified backup dancers who don't even get a paycheck of backup dancers...

[ariellm13.livejournal.com]

I mean, I get why this is perceived negatively but it makes sense and it's not much different from other shows. Contestants on The voice and The xfactor don't get paid. American idol pays you but only after you reach like top 10. You have to join the AFTRA Union though and that costs.

What you all should know is that voluntarily joining something like this is just that. Volunteering. From the companies pov, they are doing you a favor. If they wanted to pay people to do a show, it wouldn't be randoms who aren't even known.

[pseudo-shigure.livejournal.com]

mte. i think no one in any talent based reality shows get paid. but in their case, they're voluntarily joining the show, while here the agencies made the girls join the show. although exposure is never a bad thing in ent industry, i guess. and also an actual experience to perform on tv. so maybe it'd still be for their own benefit in the long run.

[petecarl.livejournal.com]

this isn't like a contest where the girls win prize money, and we all know that the companies forced most of these girls to go here with these conditions. it's not okay. and anyway, if you've watched bts stuff on reality tv and AI, you would know that people sign contracts that don't allow them to pursue any offers they receive unless AI okays it for a year (or 2, idr). like, scooter girl if you remember her.

[welljustguess.livejournal.com]

i think it's okay for the payment to be given on the trainee's agency, not the trainee directly
isn't like you meet a client and the client pay to your office bank account, not directly to you?

[juhli.livejournal.com]

on the other hand i'm glad that the companys didnt have to pay a fee to take part in this, considering that mnet is paying for housing, costumes, styling, etc. Didnt they say that this was the most expensive show they produced to date?

What I'm curious about...does that mean that even the "pick me" revenue will be divided by all the companys ??

And the girls are not allowed to appear in anything else while being on the show? because i just saw that mystic trainee girl in seventeen's chocolate mv.

And what about the contract length for trainees that get eliminated? do they also have to wait for the show to end before they can do anything?

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

If anything, I'm slightly more disturbed by my expectation of these conditions in the first place :/

Still, these poor girls.....

[premonitioner.livejournal.com]

I think that's pretty standard for a elimination show contract, no matter where you are. it's why TV stations keep coming up with new ones - you get a shitton of ad revenue if the show is successful, but you only have to pay for the judges, not the contestants.

[juhli.livejournal.com]

My absolute favourites are Mina from Jellyfish and Nayoung from Pledis. I also cheer for that independent trainee, who chose Risa because she didnt watch the evaluation vid...her name is Kim So Kyeong.

[baesuji.livejournal.com]

rooting for pledis' park siyeon & im nayoung, and kang siwon who doesn't have a company!

[sayuridoll.livejournal.com]

not surprised, but still saddened for them.

[epls6.livejournal.com]

I don't get surprised with the no payment, but the bad editing really sux. I mean, is like depending on how u present facts people and events, u can change the results and the reaction of the viewers as well. But being honest, this isn't something that korea only does, pretty much most reality shows have that kind of problem, they pick one person they will prefer to win and give every possible support to increase its popularity. Reality shows are not real at all.

[dickslikejesus.livejournal.com]

Why is everyone acting like they should be paid? They went on a talent based reality show. You never get paid for those things, they pay your travel and to help you out to stay on the show but that's it. In terms of profit you make literally nothing.

The UFC has a show called the ultimate fighter in which everyone is basically stuck in a house together competing to get a contract to be a UFC fighter at the end of the show. Depending on if they do multiple weight classes, there's usual only one or two "winners" (the other fighters can get signed after the show.) In an effort to make it cost effective, they house all the fighters and feed them so they don't have to /pay/ them a single dime. To make the show INTERESTING they added a bonus for the fighters if they finished the fight before two rounds were completed. There are TONS of people who have been on that show and have walked away without a single DIME, all they get is exposure which has benefited nearly everyone who's been on that show.

These shows always work like this, the only bad part of the contract is the devil editing clause to protect the company, the rest of it is pretty par the course.

[921227.livejournal.com]

Not surprised by the no pay, it's common in these elimination style reality shows and considering the girls basic living expenses are all paid for (just like trainees) it's a pretty even deal for the media exposure and the increased likelihood of debut.

My biggest concern is that, while yes, it's voluntary, I'm sure some of the companies pressured their trainees into signing up for this and the contractual obligations are probably kinda shitty for the girls who get less exposure. Also, parents! Not all these girls are of age I'm sure and the fact that minors can be a part of these kinds of shows without guardians is just grossly negligent and appalling

[juhli.livejournal.com]

yeah, i think the two youngest are 14 International age .

[bomsnose.livejournal.com]

and that (edit: the incubation period) is why it's better to be a runner-up in these shows. the winners normally have even more obligations to the network airing the show than the others.
(or better, just avoid these if you have talent.)

[e-bone (from livejournal.com)]

I'm not surprised but seeing it all spelled out in front of you is so damn creepy idk

These girls must really want this :/

[annhh.livejournal.com]

Not surprised, it's a competition and 100 participate - I think some would even pay for screen time, but no company would be first to suggest "oh no, let us pay you". I know some competitions have you signing a fee to get in.

Still it's very wrong and they're making it a show. Even recognized artists suffer low payments if at all, these girls are literally nobodies.

[kjc48.livejournal.com]

no one is surprise. Keep being classy Mnet, keep being classy.

Do the trainees still get their usual "trainee allowance" (aka additional debt traps) from their main companies???

[dot-rose.livejournal.com]

This is horrible. I thought the girls would at least get paid (even if the agency took a %).
I'm glad SM and YG didn't bother with this program.

I do notice some bias editing. For the first episode, the Pledis girls' performance was not as good as they made it look in the show. Mnet released videos of their full performance, but in the show, they only shown the beginning and the good parts while cutting to the impressed looks of the judges.

Not to mention CJ E&M is horrible at managing their artists. Aka T-ara and any scandal related incidents.

[chibi-rei.livejournal.com]

The only part of this contract that seems even vaguely legit is the part about not talking about it on SNS and appearing on other shows (I mean, depending on the time/date limitations for that stuff it's somewhat normal).