Kpop Stars - underpaid?

[tribuo-venerati.livejournal.com]

How much do singers get paid on music shows?



Any typical viewer of K-pop’s ever-spectacular music shows would probably think the compensation for the artists is beyond imagination in numbers, especially for famous idol stars. However, a recent declaration by Korea’s National Singer Association begs to differ, of the real reality.



The Korea’s National Singer Association has recently elected trot artist Tae Jin Ah to be its next president. As the group’s new representative, Tae Jin Ah revealed, “I will make appearance fees for music programs more realistic now.”

What does he mean by that?



Apparently, the artists who appear in those music shows actually get paid ridiculously little. Many artists have already proclaimed that by appearing on these shows, they actually lose money.

According to reports, each time an artist makes a performance on stage for a music show, he/she gets around $200. The rate is identical for all three broadcasting stations – MBC, SBS, and KBS – and the actual fee differs based on the artists’ years of experience in the music field rather than their fame.

The increments follow: debuted less than 5 years ago, debuted more than 5 years ago, 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago, and 40 years ago. Each group receives around $100 more than the lesser group, depending on the year that you debuted in.

Also, the rate does not differ for solo artists and group artists. Although the group artists receive a tad more than the solo artists, they are not enough to compensate each member of the group with a fair amount of money. To give an example, a member of SNSD only receives about $100 for each stage (including a handful amount of bonus for their high popularity).



Due to such low compensation, many artists have filed complaints toward the broadcasting stations for a long period of time. Typically, a dance artist would spend around $5,000 for each stage due to various stylists, back-up dancers, and stage wardrobes. Although they technically lose money, they would do it anyway since appearing on music shows for artists are crucial for their promotions.

What do you think – too low, or just right?



Kpop stars are underpaid? Where's the Phoebe "brand new info" gif?

Source: AKP

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_pinkfish/]

Dude... I'd make a lot more money just cleaning someone's house.

[fayoochun.livejournal.com]

Where's the Phoebe "brand new info" gif??
rofl mte.

[aures.livejournal.com]

[byronsbitch.livejournal.com]

Well the reason they appear on music shows is to promote their albums. I never expected they would get paid much. But if this is true then that is peanuts. I'm not going to feel too sorry for them because they probably still make a lot more money than me lol

[miss-esperanza.livejournal.com]

Ikr, I always feel really sorry for them when I see something like this, but it's like..hang on, they're probably still earning more than I'll ever earn XD

[winged-monster.livejournal.com]

this is totally believable, but I doubt tv stations would have so many live performances if the pay were higher.

[haesica.livejournal.com]

wow that sucks :/

[light-lee.livejournal.com]

(http://tinypic.com?ref=32zmdk5)

[tribuo-venerati.livejournal.com]

lol, apparently there's an appropriate Joe Jang gif for every situation

(btw, stealing)

[piruvi.livejournal.com]

I don't understand. Is the article saying that broadcasting stations pay to them?? Shouldn't like their companies pay to them? And I knew that if you want to appear on the musicshow you (well company of course) actually have to pay for that... not opposite.. or I understand the article wrong?

[tribuo-venerati.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how it works, but generally artists are paid to appear on programs. These performers, particularly the young idols, are generating many viewers (thus more revenue) to the programs so shouldn't they be compensated?

[akari-hayashi.livejournal.com]

It's really sad, considering how much they have put in, but TV music shows have never been a big income source for artistes.

They will definitely get more money from endorsements, showcases and concerts. Don't forget overseas appearances too. (This is why they are coming to Singapore to suck our money lol.)

[erbalurbal.livejournal.com]

wow they get paid for that in korea?

[byronsbitch.livejournal.com]

I also wish the music show promotional system would die. Sorry but it's so boring. The same people week in week out until the new batch arrives, 4 times a week, and now add this on top of the negative things about it. I love seeing my faves perform and all but there's gotta be a way to mix it up a little.

[inchywermy.livejournal.com]

I love it, but I feel like 4 stages a week is a bit much. 3 is alright, 2 would probably be best.

[lopezfitzgerald.livejournal.com]

[lopezfitzgerald.livejournal.com]

c+ped the wrong gif sorry

[graceslip.livejournal.com]

why are these people getting paid so little?! they should be earning millions!

[byronsbitch.livejournal.com]

I can't tell if this is a sarcastic comment or not...

[yejun.livejournal.com]

[eonjekkaji.livejournal.com]

that hair ಠ_ಠ

[selkycircus.livejournal.com]

and does this $200 go straight to them or their company?

[cristela.livejournal.com]

MTE. and with taxes...

[hearticulate.livejournal.com]

wow. so much work for so little money, lulz :\ but i guess the cds and tours are where the real moolah's at. music shows are just a means for them to promote.

[akari-hayashi.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure about Korea, but in Taiwan, cds don't earn you a lot too. Ultimately, it's all the ticketed performances.

[cher-ex3.livejournal.com]

In this respect, I'm grateful for fans who shower their idols with gifts that the artists themselves probably wouldn't be able to afford.

[theriot07.livejournal.com]

Yeah theres some really generous fans out there

[shineestars.livejournal.com]

i think that's quite an okay sum?

"a member of SNSD only receives about $100"

i dont think they're underpaid. come on, if they're underpaid, how can they afford LV bags etc. and, fans spend a bomb on them for their birthdays, they have lots of cfs, overseas promo activities...

BY THE WAY, that's obviously only for POPULAR IDOL GROUPS.

[tribuo-venerati.livejournal.com]

I don't mean underpaid in the sense that they're not getting paid enough to have a decent living, I'm just questioning if their popularity + amount of work they put in is equal to their compensation.

[saumon.livejournal.com]

ehh didn't some article a while ago say even secret get paid around a few thousand dollars per appearance?

[lopezfitzgerald.livejournal.com]

not on music shows

[hotpixel.livejournal.com]

honestly i'm surprised they get paid at all for music show appearances

[tabi.livejournal.com]

For music shows, it seems logical enough that they get that amount since technically, they should be the ones paying the companies as they're the ones using the venues to promote their work.

An artist's main source of income should come from the number of albums they sell and the concerts they hold anyway, right?

[enoa03.livejournal.com]

Compared to their Western/Hollywood counterparts, yes they are underpaid but they still earn more than average folks like us. They probably cannot afford a villa in South of France but they're not excatly poor either.

Still, I wish they get paid more because they deserve it...

[saintalecto.livejournal.com]

I'd like to believe you but you see their crappy living conditions. What American star would honestly share a room with their band member involuntarily? And the fact that all of their styling and production comes out of their own pocket must really drain their wallets. And they have to pay fees for being late or sick. If they make more than the average Korean, than I'm sure their bank accounts don't look like it.

[otani-no-suki.livejournal.com]

this makes me wonder how narsha's earning with that mega expensive styling and make-up and everything >.>

[ov3rs3as.livejournal.com]

MTE!

[hergracious.livejournal.com]

MTE.
Initially, I thought they had to perform for free since they get the bulk of their incomes from their companies.

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

Honestly, it would be ridiculous if artists were paid a lot to appear in music shows as they are there to get people to buy their albums/singles. Advertising isn't free anywhere! If your costs are too high compared to achieved album/single sales, CFs, publicity, etc, just don't appear in music shows and find other ways to promote yourself! Also I feel that lots of artists seriously overspend for their stage setups (too fancy sets and too many backup dancers) and could achieve equal results with much cheaper setup.

[lydzi.livejournal.com]

IA. Especially on the part of overspending for their stage setups.

[lydzi.livejournal.com]

I thought they were doing that for free since it's promotion for them. So it isn't "sooo" bad for once.