Actor Jeon Won-ju's manager speaks out on YouTube suspension rumors

The manager who has worked with actor Jeon Won-ju for 20 years has spoken out over claims that she demanded higher pay from a YouTube production team, prompting the suspension of her channel.

Manager A, who has assisted Jeon for two decades, told Sports Seoul on Wednesday that money and one-sided conflict had nothing to do with the channel going dark. "It is not true that the suspension was due to a financial dispute or unilateral conflict," the manager said. "We mutually agreed to stop because our visions for the direction of the show did not align."

No new videos had been uploaded to Jeon's YouTube channel "Jeonwonjuingong" since July 7, and the production team announced Aug. 24 that it was shutting down operations without giving a specific reason. A subsequent statement described the end of the arrangement as a simple contract expiration, but speculation soon spread about health problems and a pay dispute.

In response, the manager said Jeon's per-episode fee had been around 700,000 won ($517). The manager also said the production team had faced practical difficulties of its own, including trouble securing advertising for the channel. The manager added that Jeon's side had been disappointed by what they saw as the show drifting toward sensationalism centered on her private life and financial matters.

Meanwhile, Jeon is set to resume activity through a new YouTube channel starting Sept. 29. The manager said the new channel would show a more natural and personal side of Jeon — spending time with elderly people, singing and traveling.