Entertainment Agencies Express Concern Over "Limiting" Provisions in Culture and Arts Industry Development Law

Their agencies showed concern especially on the provision regarding "legal working hours", saying that such does not jive with the current conditions they are in.

Jul 9, 2014 07:54 PM BST

Various entertainment and talent management agencies, particularly those handling underage artists, are caught in a dilemma following the recently passed Culture and Arts Industry Development Law which will take effect beginning July 29. Their agencies showed concern especially on the provision regarding "legal working hours", saying that such does not jive with the current conditions they are in.

As stated by the law, child actors/actresses under the age of 15 can only render a maximum of 35 hours of work per week. Their schedules should also observe proper working hours which prohibits them from filming or doing activities from 10pm until 6am in the morning the following day. As for actors/actresses aged 15 and above, they are allowed to work not more than 40 hours a week and shall only be allowed to render an extra hour (of work) totaling to six hours a week (of extra work), and is only allowable as long as parental consent has been given.

However, due to the current working conditions of idols and actors/actresses, this set period of allowable and prohibited working hours is causing a concern for the entertainment industry.

For instance, in order to appear in music shows which are being broadcast during evenings, idols have to prepare in the morning, and rehears for two-three rounds before performing live. However, it takes about 10 hours for one appearance to be completed in broadcast shows. With this new law, the 35-40 work hours per week rule will already have been completed with three to four appearances on music television. With this, artists will no longer have time for other activities.

Other than music show appearances and performances, artists will now have to be more selective with other projects, activities, and appearances to accommodate the new rule.

Thus, entertainment experts feel that the law will become very restrictive. However, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in the case of singers, the hours spent between relocation from one area to another, and the hours spent on resting and waiting will not be included in the computation for the total work hours per week. Only the relevant hours wherein the artist has "provided service", which will be rehearsals and actual appearances, will be given consideration.

According to Jung Wook, head of JYP Entertainment, "We have to follow the law, but we feel that we would be encountering some difficulties."

Jung Tae Sung, the team leader for Content Agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said, "The bill was passed to protect the interest of child entertainers. We will continuously hear out different opinions, and working on making amendments in the process."