Grease Palms to Become a Star

The entertainment industry is in turmoil yet again following a criminal investigation into filmmaking business earlier May this year. This time, the prosecutor’s office appears determined to root out irregularities centering on the entertainment circle, or the so-called “PD scandals,” which have erupted every four or five years.

The Korean word, “Chongi” primarily means “small gift as a token of gratitude,” and there seems nothing wrong with conveying feelings of appreciation. The sticky point, however, is whether the gift is meant to ask some favor in return or is too much in amount.

It is okay for managers of young pop singers to treat producers or staff who gave the promising artists a chance to perform on the stage. What is illegal as well as immoral is putting untalented artists in the spotlight in return for large amounts of money.

The image of the entertainment industry is now tainted so much that those aspiring to become pop stars often ask such an egregious question as they really have to either pay in cash or sell their bodies. Do people really think that being a pop star today is all about money and sex?

Those who know little about the entertainment industry might ask such a question, but it is also true that some unlucky ones get caught with unscrupulous managers – they ask pop star wannabes for hundreds of thousands won citing lobbying as a reason, or force them to drink and serve late at night. And many of those young ones end up becoming prostitutes instead of pop stars.

This is, of course, just a part of the story. Big-name managers, being public figures themselves, do their business legitimately and search for talents in a sound way. Most of producers concentrate their efforts on making enjoyable programs and many pay their own bites even when they eat out with managers. Besides, as pop stars enjoy great popularity, they wield significant influence on producers who often go out and lobby to cast certain stars.

The greedy are everywhere at any time and any place. But we must not let those few distort the image of the entire organization. A couple of years ago, a manager of a young singer approached a TV program producer and whispered. “ Can I borrow your car key just a second?” Later when he returned, he told the producer to open the trunk of the car when he gets home.

Thinking that the manager put a bribe or a cash gift in his car, he got worried. He decided to return whatever gift he was given to avoid trouble in the future. When he opened the car trunk, however, he smiled. There was a bottle of spring water with a note from the manager, “Wish you good health.” And the prosecutor’s office will also most likely turn a blind eye to such a lovely act of bribery.

nkjaka@hanmail.net