Who's Got The Power?

It's interesting and coincidentally ironic.  Just when we're celebrating Labor Day (summer, I hardly knew ye), the top television networks in Korea (MBC, KBS, SBS) have been beset by union strikes over withheled employee wages.  I had been following Korean entertainment blogs for the past few weeks over news concerning the strike made by the Korean Broadcasting, Film, and Performing Artists Labor Union whose actors and film crews make up a majority of our favorite K-Dramas.  Now, this is a serious issue because if the strike prolongs and negotiations will not be settled soon; this can severely impact the K-Entertainment Industry and cause devastating economic effects.  If there's a lesson we could all learn from, it's from the 2007 Writer's Guild of America Strike -- the pen  is costlier than the sword.  Ultimately, nobody wins in a strike.  It's going to hurt everyone and the business.  The WGA strike alone resulted in billions of losses for Hollywood with millions of dollars in lost wages for cast and crews of shuttered film and television productions.  Adding to the stigma is the fact that since Tinseltown was paralyzed, majority of television programs were interrupted, delayed, prematurely shorted, postponed, or cancelled.

"Network bosses, rich and rude!  We don't like your attitude!"

Thankfully, as of this writing, the three Korean networks have finally reached an agreement with the union and hope is fast looming in the horizon.  Woot!  We might still be able to see Dong Yi's resident she-devil; Jang Hee Bin,  get egged in the face.  Hah!

So on this long weekend, as we head on our road trips and feast on our barbecues, let us fly our flags and remember those who toiled, labored, and made it possible for America to become what it is today.