Korea Consumer Agency warns of rising complaints against audition-based talent academies
In short
The Korea Consumer Agency said on 22 October that relief applications over "academy-type" entertainment agencies totalled 366 from 2023 to June this year, with 91 in the first half of this year against 52 a year earlier. Children and teenagers were the contract party in 184 cases (50.3%), and only 172 cases (47.1%) ended in a refund or other settlement.
Read the full story 3 min read
The Korea Consumer Agency said on 22 October that relief applications about so-called academy-type entertainment agencies have kept rising. It counted 366 applications received from 2023 to June this year. Newsis defined such agencies as ones that recruit consumers by offering audition chances or casting guarantees, then provide entertainment training and collect tuition fees. Seoul Economic Daily reported that the agency issued a damage-prevention advisory. [ 1 , 3 ]
Applications rose from 41 in 2023 to 86 in 2024 and 148 last year, which was 72.1% more than the year before. In the first half of this year, 91 were received, 75.0% more than the 52 in the same period last year. Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily also put the 2024 increase at 109.8%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
By age, children and teenagers made up 184 applications (50.3%), people aged 40 to 64 made up 86 (23.5%), and people in their 20s and 30s made up 83. Newsis gave the last share as 22.7%, while Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily gave 22.6%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Termination disputes accounted for 361 applications (98.6%). Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily reported that in 179 cases (49.6%) the business refused a refund, in 90 (24.9%) it delayed one, and in 82 (22.7%) it charged excessive penalty fees. Yonhap added 7 cases (1.9%) in which the business could not be reached. Of 328 cases where a termination reason was identified, 245 (74.7%) were a consumer's change of mind and 79 (24.1%) were the business failing to fulfil the contract. Within those 79, 46 (58.2%) involved training or casting and auditions not being provided or being poorly run, and 24 (30.4%) involved advertising that differed from the actual service. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Newsis and Seoul Economic Daily reported that some firms announced a pass on the same or next day after a camera test and pressed hesitant consumers by saying the chance would go to someone else. In an example both carried, a consumer who saw an advertisement for web drama roles in January last year signed a one-year contract and paid 3.6 million won. When the consumer asked to cancel a month later, the firm said a 2.2 million won consulting fee could not be refunded, although profile shooting and image consulting had not been carried out, according to Newsis. [ 1 , 3 ]
Newsis gave a second example, in which a parent paid 1.98 million won in August 2024 for a kids' model agency contract. It said no real agency service was provided over 19 months and the firm avoided contact when a cancellation and refund were requested in March. Yonhap gave a different example, of a person who paid 3.72 million won for a two-year contract after a senior model advertisement and later learned the firm was a general training school, not an entertainment agency. The firm offered a partial refund and then stopped answering. [ 1 , 2 ]
Only 172 of the 366 applications (47.1%) ended in a refund or other settlement. Newsis reported that some firms avoided agency staff or cited their own terms to refuse refunds. The agency advised consumers to check whether a firm can actually support entertainment work and said ordinary agencies do not ask trainees for money for training. Yonhap added that the agency recommends holding off on a contract if profile consulting or management fees are requested, writing verbal promises into the contract as special terms, and checking the contract period and refund criteria for early termination. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The agency urged consumers not to rely on an audition pass notice alone and to check whether a firm can actually support entertainment work. The documents give no figures beyond the applications the agency received.
Key facts
- The Korea Consumer Agency received 366 relief applications about academy-type entertainment agencies from 2023 to June 2026. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Applications rose from 41 in 2023 to 86 in 2024 and 148 last year (up 72.1%); 91 came in the first half of this year, up 75.0% from 52 a year earlier. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Children and teenagers accounted for 184 applications (50.3%), people aged 40 to 64 for 86 (23.5%) and people in their 20s and 30s for 83. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Contract termination disputes made up 361 applications (98.6%). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Of 328 cases where a termination reason was identified, 245 (74.7%) were a consumer's change of mind and 79 (24.1%) were the business failing to fulfil the contract. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Only 172 of the 366 applications (47.1%) ended with a refund or settlement. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Korea Consumer Agency reported 366 relief applications over academy-type entertainment agencies between 2023 and June this year, with 91 in the first half of this year, up 75.0% from 52 a year earlier. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Children and teenagers were the largest group, with 184 applications (50.3%). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Termination-related disputes numbered 361 (98.6%), and 172 cases (47.1%) were resolved with a refund or settlement. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Among 79 cases of contract non-performance, 46 (58.2%) involved training or casting and auditions not being provided or being poorly run, and 24 (30.4%) involved advertising or prior explanations that differed from the actual service. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The agency advised consumers not to be swayed by an audition pass notice and to check whether the firm can actually support entertainment work. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Share of applicants in their 20s and 30s Newsis gives 83 cases as 22.7%, while Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily give 22.6%.
- What the 172 resolved cases (47.1%) represent Newsis describes them as damage recovered through refunds, while Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily describe refunds or other agreements.
- Breakdown of business responses after termination requests Only Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily give counts (refund refusal 179, delay 90, excessive penalty 82); Newsis describes these practices without counts.