He asserted that all members were treated equally.
He drew a clear distinction regarding his role as the president of Rula.
[TV Daily Reporter Hwang Seo-yeon] Singer and broadcaster Lee Sang-min has directly countered claims made by Shin Jung-hwan regarding Rula's settlement issues from their time together.
On January 4, Lee Sang-min posted on his social media with the hashtag 'Fact Check,' stating, "I was also a company artist, so how could I settle another?" He emphasized that all members received equal settlements and worked hard in their roles.
Previously, Shin Jung-hwan appeared on the YouTube channel 'B-grade Inquiry,' stating, "While Rula is successful, we have never been properly compensated." He claimed that Lee Sang-min, as the producer, undervalued the members and sold them to the company.
Lee Sang-min has consistently played a crucial role as a title track and album producer since the formation of Rula. His musical talents and vision contributed to Rula becoming one of the leading groups of the 1990s, earning deep affection from fans. However, issues surrounding settlements continue to affect their careers, highlighting the need for fair relationships between artists and production companies.
Shin Jung-hwan’s remarks stand out as personal experiences, yet the unresolved compensation issues must be considered alongside the group’s success. Many artists face similar challenges, and the voices of these individuals must be heard. Fans must demand fair treatment, and such demands can lay a significant foundation for the development of artists.
This incident reveals past conflicts between artists and reflects the reality that improvements in the industry’s settlement system are necessary. They are more than mere entertainers, and their experiences and opinions can provide valuable lessons for future artists and fans alike.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: DB
