Jeon Won-ju: "They threatened to quit when I asked for a higher fee"

86-year-old actress Jeon Won-ju has announced her intention to resume her YouTube activities after a recent hiatus. While the sudden departure of her production team sparked rumors regarding her health, it has been revealed that the pause was actually due to the termination of contracts and negotiations surrounding appearance fees.

Appearing on the YouTube channel 'Samija, Not Omija' on the 11th, Jeon personally explained the reasons behind the recent suspension of her channel. During a conversation with her friend of 63 years, actress Sa Mi-ja, and her husband Kim Kwan-soo, she naturally addressed her recent status on the platform.

When Sa Mi-ja asked, "I heard you are taking a break from YouTube for a while. It was fun, so why are you resting?" Jeon replied, "It seems like people watch a lot of YouTube. I don't watch it much myself," but added, "I will start again now." This suggests that while she is not a primary consumer of digital content, she clearly recognizes the potential of a communication channel bearing her own name.

Jeon offered a candid explanation regarding the suspension. "I tried to raise this (the appearance fee) a little, but they said they would quit, so I just told them to keep going," she said, adding, "I also thought about quitting, but I felt that I shouldn't be too demanding. Now, I'm just going to try doing it freely."

The implication is that during negotiations for a fee increase, the production team threatened to stop production. Jeon even considered closing the channel entirely but ultimately decided to continue. While specific contract terms were not disclosed, the situation highlights the reality that a star's personal YouTube channel is a media business where production costs, fees, and personnel are all deeply intertwined.

Kim Kwan-soo advised her, "You don't have to keep arguing now," and Jeon expressed her determination to return to the channel. She effectively resolved the production and contract issues, which could have become more contentious, through the straightforward manner characteristic of a veteran actress.

In fact, Jeon's YouTube channel 'Jeon Won-ju In-gong' has seen significant success, securing more than 115,000 subscribers since its debut last October. As her daily life, family stories, and frugal habits resonated with younger viewers, the channel demonstrated unexpected digital competitiveness.

Interest in the channel's future intensified last month when the existing production team suddenly departed. The team announced the conclusion of their year-long partnership, stating, "The production team that has been in charge of production and operation from the channel's opening until now will no longer produce 'Jeon Won-ju In-gong'."

Because the specific reason was not initially disclosed, various speculations arose among subscribers, ranging from concerns over Jeon's health to potential discord with the crew. Given Jeon's age and recent public interest regarding her health and memory, these concerns grew significantly.

However, the production team and her agency quickly clarified the situation. In a follow-up statement, the production team noted, "The matter is a simple termination of the contract," adding, "Since the actress is healthy, the channel is planned to be reorganized by the agency and restarted in the future." The agency also confirmed that the suspension had nothing to do with Jeon's health and that they plan to resume operations in the fall with a new production team.

Ultimately, this hiatus was a reorganization of the production system rather than a channel closure. By expressing her intention to resume, Jeon effectively dispelled the rumors regarding her health.

Jeon's foray into YouTube is also noteworthy as it reflects changing media survival strategies for veteran entertainers. While their activities were once concentrated on traditional media like terrestrial TV, cable, and radio, a single personal channel now functions as an independent platform for direct fan engagement.

For an actress like Jeon, who has built a long-standing persona in the public consciousness, YouTube offers more than just promotion; it allows her to transform her name and her daily life into content, rather than adhering to the formats set by broadcasters.

This trend aligns with the movements of other veteran actors. As senior stars like Kim Young-ok, Sunwoo Yong-nyeo, and Sa Mi-ja utilize YouTube as a new communication tool, the old formula of veteran actors being limited to traditional media is gradually breaking down. Sa Mi-ja also recently launched her own channel, noting the desire to find new stages for activity.

Interestingly, Jeon's attitude toward the platform is unique. Despite admitting she does not watch much YouTube herself, she understands its reach. Even without fully immersing herself in the mechanics of the platform, she recognizes that her experience, name, and lifestyle are valuable content in their own right.

The dispute over appearance fees further proves that personal YouTube channels are no longer mere hobbies. As subscribers and views grow, the same contractual and financial complexities found in the traditional broadcast industry emerge, turning personal channels into legitimate pieces of the content industry.

Jeon is set to return to the camera with a new production team. While the specific format of the reorganized channel has yet to be revealed, Jeon appears ready to test her presence once again on the digital stage.

Having spent over 60 years in the industry, this veteran actress is now branding her own name through YouTube. Her return, following a brief pause over fee negotiations, serves as a prime example of how veteran entertainers can extend their careers in a rapidly evolving media landscape.