Song Joong Ki's Upcoming K-Drama 'Asadal Chronicles' Under Fire For Alleged Poor Working Condition Of Production Crew
Song Joong Ki's upcoming K-drama, Asadal Chronicles, has been under fire over the poor working condition of the production staff. Apparently, the production crew has been suffering from long working hours, even up to 20 hours when they film overseas.
Hanbit Center and the broadcasting staff union department of Hope Solidarity Labor Union are set to hold a press conference on April 10 to discuss the matter. They are also planning to send a request to the Seoul Employment and Labor Administration to assign someone to monitor the working condition on the set of Asadal Chronicles. Additionally, they also plan to carry out a one-man protest in front of CJ ENM office in Seoul's Mapo district.
Naver TV quoted a source from the Hope Solidarity Labor Union as saying that they initially filed a complaint about their working condition. However, their situation doesn't improve. The insider added that one of the staff members that are in charge of the lighting suffered a fracture due to long hours of work.
"Many staff members of 'Asadal' have suffered from long hours of labor. We filed initial complaints, but [the conditions] have not improved. In the case of filming abroad, [the staff members] would work over 20 hours a day," the source said.
The Hanbit Center was established following the suicide of tvN's Drinking Alone PD Lee Han Bit in 2016. He is said to have suffered poor working conditions. Since then, the organization has been assisting those in the industry that are suffering the same condition in their workplace.
Asadal Chronicles is a fantasy drama that is set in the fictional ancient kingdom of Asadal. It follows the romance between two cursed lovers as they navigate the power struggles in the kingdom.
The historical period K-drama stars Descendants of the Sun's Song Joong Ki and Kim Ji Won along with Rampant actor Jang Dong Gun and actress Kim Ok Bin. Asadal Chronicles is Song's small screen comeback after DOTS in 2016 along with his now wife Song Hye Kyo.
Song Joong Ki and Kim Ji Won will be playing the lead roles in the drama. The Asadal Chronicles stars have yet to issue a comment about the issue of the poor working condition of their staff members.
In December, the cast of the tvN drama has gathered together to mark the kick off of their production on a newly-constructed set which took eight months to complete. There have been speculations that the producers of Asadal Chronicles have built a set as they might be thinking about extending the series run. The tvN K-drama is set to premiere later this year.
