In a high-stakes showdown, broadcaster JTBC and director Jang Si-won PD have found themselves in a heated dispute over the future of the popular entertainment series ‘Strong Baseball’.

The Open Confrontation Unfolds

On March 11th, JTBC took to their official SNS to air grievances against Jang Si-won PD, citing concerns over production costs and excessive claims. They asserted that the mutual trust between the broadcaster and Studio C1 (C1), the production company behind ‘Strong Baseball’ Season 3, has reached a breaking point. However, Jang Si-won PD swiftly countered these accusations with a lengthy statement through his personal SNS.

JTBC’s Stance: Damaged Trust and Excessive Claims

JTBC raised eyebrows with allegations of overlapping production costs and excessive demands from Jang Si-won PD. They claimed that negotiations for a new season with C1 were dropped due to irreparable damage to their working relationship and cited production costs exceeding hundreds of millions of won over the three seasons.

JTBC contended that the contract between C1 and JTBC did not include follow-up or settlement conditions for production costs. They also revealed requests for production cost execution and proof, which C1 allegedly failed to provide without valid reasons. JTBC, as the IP holder, expressed turning away due to C1’s lack of transparency.

Jang Si-won PD’s Response: Contractual Clarification and Profit Distribution Doubts

Juang Si-Won PD explained that the production contract with JTBC did not include excessive claims on production costs, asserting that C1 handled costs independently and did not make excessive requests. He also emphasized that JTBC’s failure to distribute profits from ‘Strong Baseball’ over the past two years, coupled with the refusal to disclose total profits, further complicated the situation.

PD Jang asserted that revenues from marketing and sales of the IP were not distributed since the first season, and Season 3 (2024) saw no information-sharing on total profits from JTBC. He questioned JTBC for not following through on revenue distribution in subsequent seasons due to unclear distribution rates in their contract.

JTBC’s Accusations and C1’s Alleged Illegal Attempts

In a striking revelation, JTBC accused C1 of forming a ‘heads-up’ plan to seize intellectual assets, including copyrights and editing techniques. They added that major staff like PD, photographer, and writer, along with key cast members, were approached with demands to forsake ‘Strong Baseball, provoking C1’s confidence.

JTBC made further accusations, suggesting that JTBC’s interference under the intellectual property of ‘Strong Baseball’ had raised suspicions of excessive claims. JTBC expressed belief that viewers and fans will grasp the nuanced arguments involved in this complex dispute, and it remains to be seen how this conflict will unfold.

What is ‘Strong Baseball’?

Strong Baseball is an entertaining series that showcases the 11th team ‘Strong Monsters,’ challenging professional baseball teams. Produced by Studio C1, founded by Jang Si-won PD, who also directed the ‘Urban Fisherman’ series, it aired 118 episodes until January 2024. Despite plans for Season 4, the series was canceled ahead of time, leaving fans craving more. Jang’s türanian direction and the dynamic rivalries of the ‘Strong Monsters’ have created a gameweeatching gamecentral and hypeewing fanbase.

Compiler Source: Source: news.koreadaily.com, JTBC provided, OSEN DB, SNS Source

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