Korean Musical Eyes of Dawn Shuts Down Early After Actors Boycott Over Unpaid Wages
Next Sketch's Production Collapsed After Poor Ticket Sales Left Cast and Crew With Unpaid Wages
The Korean stage production Eyes of Dawn closed roughly a month ahead of schedule after a dispute between the production company and cast members over unpaid fees.
According to Chosun Biz, the musical — based on the beloved 1991 MBC drama of the same name — had been extended through April 26, but went dark after its March 19 performance. Some actors declared a boycott after producer Next Sketch failed to pay a portion of their contracted fees. On average, 80% of fees had been paid, with 20% outstanding, and the issue reportedly extended to production staff as well.
The situation was compounded by poor ticket sales: on some days, the 1,000-seat venue sold as few as 15 to 20 tickets. The production had hoped that adding veteran actor Baek Sung-hyeon and former Jewelry member Park Jung-ah to the cast for the extended run would boost revenue enough to cover the arrears — but the plan never got off the ground. Both actors reportedly continued showing up to the theater even as the boycott unfolded.
The early closure left audience members stranded, including roughly 200 coast guard and disability group attendees who arrived on the final day only to be turned away.
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