Korean actress Hong Soo Ah shed light on her experiences in the Chinese entertainment industry, emphasizing significant disparities in appearance fees compared to Korea. Despite noting less favorable working conditions than in her home country, Soo Ah highlighted the advantageous contractual terms that often favor actors.
“As an actor, you sign a contract specifying the number of hours you will film each day. Once those hours are up, you go home. Even if filming isn’t finished, you still go home,” Hong Soo Ah explained, outlining the structured working hours mandated by contracts in China.
However, flexibility does exist, particularly in on-location shoots, where actors may extend filming hours to complete remaining scenes. Hong Soo Ah acknowledged that, beyond contractual benefits, the substantial increase in appearance fees in China presents a major advantage for actors. When asked about rumors suggesting her pay in Chinese projects could be ten times higher, she confirmed, “Yes, that’s correct.”
Despite the financial incentives, Hong Soo Ah stressed that working in China has its challenges due to differing industry standards. Reflecting on past experiences, she recalled filming during winter without access to hot water in her room. “There was a brief moment when hot water would come out, so I had to quickly wash my hair. There was no heating, so I would sleep with just one heater,” she recounted, illustrating the harsher conditions faced during shoots abroad.
Hong Soo Ah’s insights provide a candid glimpse into the contrasting landscapes of the Korean and Chinese entertainment industries, highlighting both the perks and challenges that actors encounter across different markets.
Related topics:
JENNIFER JASON LEIGH TO RECEIVE HONOR AT 41ST JERUSALEM FILM FESTIVAL
MATT RIFE AND JESSICA LORD SPLIT AFTER AMICABLE BREAKUP
ANGELABABY FACES BACKLASH AND CAREER CHALLENGES