GOT7 Youngjae: "I haven't received my appearance fee" vs. Production Company: "Settlement promised by June" — 'Dream High 2' Continues to Face Controversy for a Year [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

Regarding the non-payment of appearance fees for 'Dream High Season 2', GOT7's Youngjae and the production company have taken different stances.

Youngjae was cast as Song Sam-dong in 'Dream High Season 2' (hereinafter 'Dream High 2') and appeared on stage from April to July last year. However, he filed a lawsuit against the production company Art One Company in January, claiming he has not received his appearance fee even after the performances ended.

At the time, the production company claimed it had reached an agreement with Youngjae's side to pay the appearance fee by the first half of this year. In contrast, Youngjae's side stated that they were only notified and had not reached an agreement.

The conflicting claims from both sides resurfaced five months later on the 9th and 10th of last month. On the 9th, Youngjae posted on his SNS, "It seems I was told to settle by June 9th, but it still hasn't been settled by today. By August, it will have been almost a year since it wasn't settled. How do you think people feel seeing this post when they haven't even received the appearance fees they are owed? Also, please don't say that payments are being made in small portions from the amount that should originally be paid." He directed this post at the production company.

In response, Kim Eun-ha (CEO) of Art One Company stated on the 10th, "We sincerely apologize for causing concern to many people due to the recent controversy over the non-payment of appearance fees for the musical 'Dream High 2.' During the production of 'Dream High 2,' the company encountered an unfortunate situation where appearance fee payments were delayed due to unexpected financial management difficulties. Nevertheless, as a responsible production company, we have made efforts from various angles to resolve the unpaid appearance fees."

He added, "We have amicably agreed with GOT7 Youngjae's side to definitely complete the settlement process for the remaining unpaid fees by the end of this June. Prioritizing our promise to the actor, we promise to finalize the settlement process within the agreed deadline."

However, on the same day, Youngjae's agency, And B Company, refuted this, stating, "Recently, the other party announced that they had amicably agreed with GOT7 Youngjae's side to definitely complete the settlement process for the remaining unpaid fees by the end of this June. However, our company has not negotiated or confirmed the payment deadline for the unpaid appearance fees to be the end of June."

It further stated, "The other party verbally mentioned that they would prepare and submit a payment plan, but they already submitted a payment plan at the end of last year, and the schedule proposed at that time was not actually followed. Therefore, our company's position is that it is difficult to consider that a substantial intention or possibility of payment has been sufficiently confirmed merely by submitting an additional payment plan." It also said that necessary legal procedures regarding this matter will continue.

The 'Dream High 2' production company had previously caused controversy by failing to pay compensation to composer and producer A, who handled the OST, as well as to dancers and ensemble actors, in addition to Youngjae. It is reported that the amounts these individuals did not receive were in the hundreds of millions of won. In January last year, Mr. A filed a lawsuit against the production company for compensation of 120 million won but withdrew the lawsuit after being told by the production company that payment would be made soon.

The show musical 'Dream High' is based on the 2011 KBS drama and was reborn as a show musical in 2023. Last year's Season 2, 'Again Dream High', held a total of 158 performances, including 120 in Seoul, 8 in Busan and Daegu, and 30 in Japan.

Amid the ongoing controversy over unpaid appearance fees, Art One Company officially announced the production of 'Dream High Season 3', titled 'Dream High Reboot'. The show musical 'Dream High Reboot' will make its debut in Seoul in July, followed by performances in Japan in September. It is preparing to tour various domestic and international cities thereafter.

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*This content was translated by AI.