The famous Korean director Park Chan-Wook was expelled from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) for violation of the rules on strikes during the production of HBO The sympathizer.
August 8 (local time), Variety He reported that the WGA has announced the expulsion of the Park and the Canadian writer Don McKellar, citing violations during the 2023 writers’ strike.
The two co-creating the seven episodes miniseries The sympathizerBased on the novel winner of the Viet Thanh Nguyen prize set during the Vietnam War. The series, with Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr., aired in April 2024.
While the WGA has not disclosed specific details of the violation, the US media reported that Park and McKellar continued to script and production work during the strike, rather than join the strike. Expiration described the expulsion as “Crossing a rather large line“, Calling it the most hard penalty for these prominent members.
The WGA, which represents over 11,500 cinematographic, television and digital content writers, has held a historic joint strike with the Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) screen of May 2023, which asked for updated compensation structures, stronger protections of copyright and working conditions improved in streaming and disluitions.
Following the expulsion, Park and McKeller will be prohibited to participate in projects with important studies such as Disney, HBO and Netflix, which all have agreements with the WGA.
The guild had previously regulated seven members for violations of the strike, although the identities of three – now including the park – were not made public until this announcement.
Park Chan-Wook is an acclaimed director, screenwriter, producer and former South Korean critic, and former film critic, known internationally for his elegant and intense narrative and the mastery of psychological thrillers.
It is more famous for the Revenge trilogy – particularly Oldboy (2003), which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and became a classic of worship all over the world. His films often explore themes of revenge, morality and human desire, mixing a surprising visual style with complex and stratified narratives.
Remarkable works include:
- Joint security area (2000) – Political thriller on soldiers in Korean DMZ
- Oldboy (2003) -Capolavoro of Neo-Noir revenge
- Lady Vengeance (2005) – Final of the Trilogy of revenge
- Thirst (2009) -Vampire romance-horror that won the Cannes jury prize
- The handmaid (2016) – Erotic psychological thriller adapted by Fingerswinner of multiple prizes
- Decision to leave (2022) – The romantic mystery that earned him the best director of Cannes
- The sympathizer (2024, HBO) **-His debut on Hollywood TV, Co-Creato with Don McKellar
It is considered one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers in Korea and a great influence on global cinema. - No other choice (2025)
Sources: Daum – Oh my news
