Every year during Chuseok, various singers step onto the stage, and this year is no different. As several artists are set to perform during this Chuseok holiday, the reason behind their decision to forgo appearance fees has drawn attention.
Singer Lee Chan Won is set to host his very first solo show on national television, 'Lee Chan Won's Gift', which will air on KBS2 on September 17th. According to his representatives, Lee Chan Won's performance will showcase his journey, from his debut in 2008 on 'National Singing Contest' to the upcoming Chuseok special, allowing viewers to witness his growth as an artist.
KBS has been organizing holiday specials featuring popular singers since 2020, with names like Na Hoon A, Sim Soo Bong, Lim Young Woong, and Song Ga In headlining. Among them, 'Korea Again Na Hoon A' was particularly successful, recording a staggering 29% viewership rating in 2021. Following that, specials like 'Bloom, Korea Sim Soo Bong' and 'We’re HERO Lim Young Woong' also saw double-digit ratings, achieving great success.
One of the most notable aspects of Lee Chan Won’s upcoming Chuseok special is that he has decided to perform without receiving any payment. Lee Chan Won announced that he would be appearing on the show with “no guarantee” for his participation. This decision seems to be in line with singer Na Hoon A’s earlier gesture in 2020, when he also appeared on 'Korea Again Na Hoon A' without compensation. Fellow singer Lim Young Woong followed suit in 2021 during his performance in 'We’re HERO Lim Young Woong', where he decided to perform without pay as a way to give back to his fans.
Similarly, another artist who has decided to participate in a Chuseok special without receiving payment is Park Jin Young, the head of JYP Entertainment. On September 16th, the day before Chuseok, Park Jin Young will appear on 'KBS Grand Project - 30th Anniversary Special: Tantara JYP'. This show will encompass his 30-year music career, featuring live performances of his mega-hit songs with a full band and unique concert production, promising a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
Just like Lee Chan Won, Park Jin Young has also opted to appear without compensation for his Chuseok special. This decision seems to align with the trend set by Na Hoon A and Lim Young Woong, who chose to perform without pay for their respective holiday specials. It’s believed that following in the footsteps of a senior artist like Na Hoon A played a role in their decision.
Industry insiders suggest that since these artists are already well-known to the public, they prioritized the honor of hosting a special show under their name rather than receiving an appearance fee. Furthermore, with Na Hoon A having set a precedent, it may have been difficult for those who followed to go against this example.
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