Unpaid Wages Spark Controversy on Set of Zhao Liying's 'The Builders'

The dispute surrounding the unpaid wages of extras on the set of "The Builders" has deepened, with sources indicating that the extras were supposed to receive their pay within 15 to 30 days after filming, as per their contract. A lack of communication and accountability among the actors, assistant directors, and the financial department of the production team has exacerbated the situation, with each party passing the blame to the others. An interview with Zhuang Hongyong, the executive director of Fujian Yiying Film and Television Media Co., Ltd., shed some light on the issue, stating that the delay in payment was due to the mutual buck-passing between the actors, assistant directors, and the financial department.

The controversy came to light in January when several extras took to social media to express their grievances about not having received their wages, despite the Chinese New Year having passed. Chat records revealed that some extras threatened to report the issue to the police if their wages were not paid promptly, while others considered exposing the situation on Weibo to attract the attention of the directors. In March, a post allegedly from a film and television team exposed the issue of unpaid wages to extras on the set of "The Builders," claiming that the production team had owed them wages for four to five months. This revelation sparked widespread discontent among netizens, with many expressing their dissatisfaction with the production team's actions.

The fact that "The Builders" features prominent stars like Zhao Liying and Huang Xiaoming made the situation even more contentious, with many questioning how such a large and supposedly well-funded production could neglect the payments to its extras. Meanwhile, Huang Xiaoming posted a lighthearted message on Weibo in March, sharing a photograph where 15 crew members' faces had been replaced with his and Zhao Liying's using AI technology. The post was seen as an attempt to showcase the camaraderie among the cast and crew, but it did little to address the underlying issues of unpaid wages.

The news of the "赵丽颖造城者" drama team being exposed for owing salaries for several months has sparked a mixed reaction among netizens. On social media platforms, many have come out in support of the extras, advocating for their rights to be paid for their work and emphasizing the importance of maintaining fair labor practices. However, there is also a significant faction of netizens who believe that it is unfair to drag the lead actress, Zhao Liying, into the controversy, arguing that her primary responsibility is to deliver a compelling performance and that she should not be held accountable for the financial management of the production team.

As of April 22nd, a significant development has emerged in the saga surrounding the unpaid wages of the crew members working on the drama series "赵丽颖造城者". Individuals who were owed salaries for four months and had come forward to share their plight have now contacted journalists to report a resolution to their situation. According to the latest information, these crew members have now confirmed that all outstanding wages have been settled in full. This update signals a positive turn of events, suggesting that efforts to address the financial disputes have been successful, at least for the parties involved in this specific case.

The resolution of these unpaid wages comes as a welcome relief to those affected, highlighting the importance of timely and fair compensation for workers in the entertainment industry. It also underscores the impact of media scrutiny and public awareness in prompting action to resolve such disputes. However, the broader implications of this case, including whether similar issues persist within the production company or the industry at large, remain under scrutiny. As the situation continues to unfold, further updates will be provided, examining the long-term effects of this resolution and any future developments in the ongoing saga of unpaid wages in Chinese entertainment productions.