A clothing sample studio has publicly alleged that a Korean entertainment company failed to pay for stage costumes produced for one of its K-pop groups, despite the outfits already appearing in promotional content and a year-end awards performance. The claim first surfaced on Korean forum theqoo and was later translated via Pannchoa, prompting renewed discussion about payment practices in the industry.
According to the studio owner, identified only as A, the company initially placed an order on October 28, 2025. The requested outfits were completed and delivered on December 9 and were reportedly used in a music video before making a second appearance at a year-end ceremony. The owner stated that repeated attempts to secure payment were met with delays and unfulfilled promises, including a pledge from a company director to settle the invoice by January 15, 2026.
The amount in dispute totals roughly two million won, with 1.4 million won due to the family-run studio and 600,000 won owed to a separate collaborator. While modest relative to large-scale production budgets, the owner described the situation as financially and emotionally taxing for a small business, emphasizing that the issue should not reflect poorly on the idols who wore the outfits.
With efforts to contact the agency unsuccessful, the owner reported sending a certified letter of demand to both the company’s registered office and its representative’s residence, warning that further action could follow if payment is not made within three days of receipt.
Reaction among netizens highlighted frustration with the company, with many calling for immediate payment and transparency. Others questioned which talent and agency were involved, though no names were confirmed in the initial post.
The incident adds to ongoing conversations about how smaller vendors, freelancers and creative subcontractors navigate the K-pop production ecosystem, where accelerated timelines and layered contracting can create financial bottlenecks. While the outcome of the dispute remains unresolved, the case has drawn attention to the precarious position of boutique studios supplying the industry’s visual output.
