He wants actors’ pay to be judged by the public based on their performance.
Koreaboo
veteran actor Lim Hyung Joon lately discussed the challenges the K-Drama industry faces due to the rising costs of top actors’ salaries. Speaking on Lee Ji Hye’s YouTube channel, Gwanjong An-niLim shared insights into how skyrocketing salaries for lead actors are taking a toll production budgets and the industry as a whole.
Lim, is currently filming for the Disney+ series Wellwas asked about pay in the industry. In response, he said that despite rumors about actors’ pay, his compensation hasn’t changed much over the past two decades.
There’s a lot of talk about pay these days. People seem to think that the decline in production is due to the high salaries of the actors. Honestly, only the lead actors are expensive; my pay is about the same as it was 20 years ago.
— Lim Hyung Joon
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Lim went on to suggest that the public should know the salaries of these top-billing actors, similar to how athletes’ salaries are widely known. He argued that this transparency could allow the public to evaluate whether these salaries are in line with the actors’ performance and the value of a show. While Lim believes that well-paid roles should exist, he also warns against creating an industry standard that inflates everyone’s pay.
Some lead actors may not like to hear this, but I think their compensation should be made public.
Look at athletes like Son Heung Min; everyone knows his salary. People can then judge whether they are really performing at that level, right? The public evaluates them: “With that salary can he do only this?” And if so, maybe they don’t deserve that pay.
I agree that those who can get high pay should receive it, but it shouldn’t be the norm just because of some people.
— Lim Hyung Joon
Lim also said that this shocking salary increase is affecting the number of shows produced each year. Veteran actor Ryu Seung Soo also revealed in a previous broadcast that while the industry once produced around 120 shows a year, the count has shrunk to around 50 due to budget constraints. He also noted that supporting actors are struggling, with some taking supporting jobs to make ends meet, as their pay is a fraction of what lead actors receive.
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