A past interview of Jaejoong on a Japanese variety program has been at the center of discussion in a popular Korean online community.
In the interview, Jaejoong, a prominent figure in both the Korean and Japanese entertainment industries, unveiled a startling disparity in appearance fees between the two countries. According to the renowned singer and actor, Korean variety shows pay up to nine times more for celebrity appearances than Japanese shows.
The interviewer asked Jaejoong, "This might be slightly sensitive but is the appearance fee for Korean programs different from Japanese variety shows?" And the singer responded, "The money that goes into producing one (program) is different in itself."
He further elaborated, "Not only is the cost for the staff different, (the cost) is higher for the Korean shows. The drama, film, variety shows and commercials are all higher." The curious interviewer then asked, "Is the appearance fee higher?" to which Jaejoong responded, "The Korean (appearance fee) is 9 times higher."
Korean netizens joined the online community to discuss the appearance fee for celebrities in Korean variety shows and commented:
"Korea's pay is oddly high. Is it Hollywood or something?"
"Korea pays celebrities high but they don't pay staff high."
"Everything in Korea is so expensive now."
"The quality of the show is different since Korea invests more into the shows."
"I thought Japanese shows would pay more. I thought that's why Korean celebrities would go to Japan in the early 2000s. This is so shocking."
"Celebrities are abnormally paid high but staff members aren't treated that well."
"Hul."
"Maybe that's why a lot of overseas people come to become celebrities in Korea."
"The celebrity pay increased so much over the years."
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I'm curious if this has changed over the years or if it's always been like this. It would make sense if Korea's fees have increased now that more k-celebs have international fame