A shocking controversy over unpaid appearance fees and production costs surrounding the variety show House of Girls has burst into the open.
On the 19th, according to ENA, outsourced producer Content Brick has allegedly failed to pay the cast, crew, and partner companies. House of Girls ended last July, yet about nine months later, final settlements reportedly still have not been made.
House of Girls is a competition show featuring 10 unknown indie female singers, produced as a 10-episode series and aired on ENA. Not only the cast — including actor Lee Yi-kyung, Kim Yuna, Yang Dong-geun, Soyou, and Shin Yong-jae — but also the contestants themselves have not received their fees. In addition, cases of unpaid service fees are said to include production staff such as PDs and writers, as well as subcontractors involved in stage installation and filming.
The show was not produced in-house by ENA but outsourced: Content Brick handled planning and production, while ENA managed scheduling and transmission. ENA told multiple outlets, "All production costs owed to the production company under the contract have been duly paid in full," asserting the broadcaster holds no responsibility.
Expressing regret over the situation, ENA is urging a resolution. The network stated, "Since becoming aware of the unpaid situation affecting partner companies and cast, we have continuously requested the production company to resolve it," adding, "We will keep pressing so the issue can be resolved as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, Content Brick reportedly applied for corporate rehabilitation in September last year, and some cast and crew initiated legal action against the production company's CEO in November. As a result, there are growing concerns the non-payment issue could drag on.