LOONA’s Choreographer Speaks Up About Not Being Paid By Blockberry Creative

[My Everything]

It was recently reported that LOONA‘s company, Blockberry Creative, was in the financial reds. According to a representative member of the industry, the company currently has not been able to pay multiple external companies that have worked with them. Reportedly, unpaid fees are estimated to be up to a few ₩100 million KRW (about $84,100 USD)

LOONA’s choreographer, Kim Hwa Young, spoke up about the matter on her personal Instagram. Along with a screenshot of the news of Blockberry Creative’s financial situation, she claimed that she had not been paid since 2020.

Firstly, keep up etiquette and give me (the pay) as much as I have worked. I proceeded with PTT (“Paint The Town”) despite not being paid for 2020. Please deposit the money after you check the drafts that I sent you carefully. You promised to make the deposit by September 30, today.

— Kim Hwa Young

She also wrote a separate post that detailed the matter and made sure to clarify that none of this was blamed on LOONA. In fact, she emphasized that she took the job because of LOONA.

I’m so sorry to all the dongsaengs in my choreography team who proceeded with the job while trusting in me until now. Please wait a little! And our pretty LOONA who always works hard! I took the job because of these “daughters” of mine. Even before promotions for PTT, they had not paid us yet but I was told that it would all be paid in August to September so I created the draft and proceeded with the choreography.

If the company doesn’t have money, then don’t spend any… I clearly asked you about the pay and it wasn’t even that much money. If anyone hears about this, they’d probably think that it was millions.

I’m so embarrassed, that I have to (pursue) such a small sum… But things got big because that small sum kept being delayed. How great would it have been if you paid things on time. It’s not like the kids promote that often, and it is only during promotions that expenses are occurred. Let’s not create a situation where we have to be at each other’s throats and please cleanly pay off all the fees including the Japanese promotions’ and wrap things up!

— Kim Hwa Young

For those that watch variety shows frequently, you may recognize Kim Hwa Young. She appeared as the choregrapher for many shows including Unnies! Slam Dunk prior.

Here’s to hoping Blockberry Creative sorts things out soon!

Source

[Nev Schulman]

Kim Hwa Young was the main choreographer for the Wonder Girls. 

Yeah at this point I fear that Loona may disband just like the many groups that did because the company didn't have the funds. 

It is really unfortunate that Kim and her team aren't getting paid. Hope they will soon

 

Edited September 30, 2021 by Nev Schulman

[deobizone]

I feel bad for loona and others BBC has emplyd like choreographer this feels fked for them. I rmr ppl thought this would Happen too but others always said it'd be fine cuz BBC parent company makes firearms or sum military stuff. Ig not surprising they overspend but it's really sad. I hope loona can survive cuz they're a really good group even if BBC is fked. 

Edited September 30, 2021 by deobizone

[Thigh-high feminist]

BBC really screwed up, don't employ people if you know you can't pay them.

This really sucks but I'm glad Loona isn't getting shamed, they must feel bad enough about what's happening. Poor ladies, I really hope SM picks them up, they're fully trained and have the right ingredients to be successful they just need investment and an experienced company behind them.

Edited September 30, 2021 by Thigh-high feminist

[RussianRoulette]

I feel bad for the choreographer and all the other employees who never got paid, BBC must have been avoiding paying everyone pretty extremely if they had to resort to publicly asking to be paid on Instagram because they kept putting it off.

Does anyone know if the Loona members have trainee debt? I’m assuming none of the Loona members are getting paid either, if they end up disbanding would they still owe any remaining trainee debt?

[YeoChin Fairies]

16 minutes ago, RussianRoulette said:

Does anyone know if the Loona members have trainee debt? I’m assuming none of the Loona members are getting paid either, if they end up disbanding would they still owe any remaining trainee debt?

I am pretty sure I read that they do not, around their debut date.

 

So where did all the splurging before their debut even get them? They are in the beginning of their fourth year and never even managed to enter Gaon's top 100 let alone get a hit. Their album sales are decent for a girl group but it's not like it's too impressive either because groups like Dreamcatcher, StayC, WJSN, GIDLE, etc, many of which are mid-tier groups manage to sell 100k+ without having spent an unreasonable amount like that. The "international" fame their stans were hyping them up for didn't save them from all this.

Idk why the agency was aiming for the sky high like that. A group can be mid-tier like LOVELYZ, WJSN, Momoland and still be making decent money and keep going for 7 years. They perhaps thought they would get a female version of BTS, not even a 5 year old would be that crazy tbh.   

Edited September 30, 2021 by YeoChin Fairies

[Quinn the Brain]

This is so annoying!!! The girls are beyond amazing and the company, I know it's small but that is not excuse to do this, because it seems like they mismanaged the funds, because they can't they don't have.