South Korean director Park Chan-wook, acclaimed internationally for his "Vengeance Trilogy" including "Oldboy" and for films like "The Handmaiden" and Tang Wei-starrer "Decision to Leave," is also a member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA). According to media reports, he and Canadian director-screenwriter Don McKellar were recently expelled from the Guild for violating WGA agreements by continuing to work on and shoot the HBO series "The Sympathizer" during the 2023 strike. The Guild emphasized that this action was to maintain member solidarity and commitment.
The reports state that during the strike, both continued to write scripts as well as serve as producers and directors, with Park having directed three episodes. The series, starring Oscar-winning actor Robert Downey Jr. and Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh, is adapted from the novel of the same name by Vietnamese-American author Viet Thanh Nguyen. It tells the story of a North Vietnamese spy exiled to the United States after the Vietnam War, and received widespread attention upon its release last year.
After being expelled, Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar can no longer participate in U.S. film and TV writing as WGA members, losing access to minimum wage protections, residuals, and benefits, and can only sign non-union contracts in the future, likely affecting their job opportunities. Nevertheless, Park’s new film "War and Revolt," starring Son Ye-jin, is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival, with release and promotional activities currently unaffected.
The reports state that during the strike, both continued to write scripts as well as serve as producers and directors, with Park having directed three episodes. The series, starring Oscar-winning actor Robert Downey Jr. and Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh, is adapted from the novel of the same name by Vietnamese-American author Viet Thanh Nguyen. It tells the story of a North Vietnamese spy exiled to the United States after the Vietnam War, and received widespread attention upon its release last year.
After being expelled, Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar can no longer participate in U.S. film and TV writing as WGA members, losing access to minimum wage protections, residuals, and benefits, and can only sign non-union contracts in the future, likely affecting their job opportunities. Nevertheless, Park’s new film "War and Revolt," starring Son Ye-jin, is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival, with release and promotional activities currently unaffected.