'Labor Exploitation Allegations' Haeji-ni, Who Boasted of "On-Time Clock-Outs and Horizontal Welfare"… The Contradictory Reality [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

As kids creator Haeji-ni (real name Kang Hye-jin) becomes embroiled in labor exploitation allegations, her past on-air emphasis on employee welfare and a horizontal company culture is being re-examined.

Recently, A, who introduced himself as a former employee of Haeji-ni's company, exposed his past working conditions and the process of applying for workers' compensation through an online community.

A, who said he had been a long-time friend of Haeji-ni, stated that he began working after receiving an invitation in December 2012 to join as a creator for her Chinese-language channel. However, he claimed that in reality, he was essentially solely responsible for the entire production and operation of the channel, including writing video scripts, translation, securing voice actors, directing dubbing, video editing, and uploading.

A explained that after signing a contract with an annual salary of 20 million won, which was later raised to 21 million won, he worked up to 16 hours a day without separate overtime pay. He also claimed that in November 2018, he visited the emergency room due to shortness of breath during overtime work, and subsequently received diagnoses of panic disorder, depression, and social anxiety.

He revealed that there were conflicts during the workers' compensation application process as well. A claimed that while the company initially said it would cooperate, it later submitted an opinion letter to the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service denying any connection between his work and his illness. He added that Haeji-ni proposed paying 4 million won out of her own pocket in exchange for him not applying for workers' compensation, but he refused; after a review process lasting about one year, he was recognized as having suffered a work-related injury in January 2020.

Amid these revelations, Haeji-ni's company management style, which she previously disclosed on the KBS 2TV variety show "The Boss Has Donkey Ears," is once again drawing attention.

In a broadcast from 2020, Haeji-ni introduced that her company had a total of 12 employees with an average age of 30. She emphasized a non-hierarchical organizational culture by stating that employees call each other by their nicknames, and also revealed unique team-building methods, such as gathering at 9 a.m. to watch animated films in the early morning.

The daily lives of the employees after work were also introduced. In the broadcast at the time, footage showed employees clocking out on time when it reached 6:30 p.m. Haeji-ni had set up computers and headsets in the office for employees who wanted to enjoy games even after leaving work, and some employees stayed at the company to play games with her.

At the time, Haeji-ni's older brother Lucky Kang (real name Kang Min-seok) explained that this was a culture created by his sister. He also shared an anecdote about how he purchased equipment upon Haeji-ni's request for headsets, thinking it was necessary gear for editing work, only to find out later that it was actually for gaming.

Controversy continues as the image of employee welfare and a horizontal organizational culture emphasized in past broadcasts clashes with the working conditions claimed by the former employee.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original