[OSENWORLD] On August 21, a representative from Park Chan-wook’s production company, Moho Film, addressed the director’s recent expulsion from the Writers Guild of America (WGA), related to his work on the HBO mini-series The Sympathizer.
The representative said: “As the director, producer, and co-writer of The Sympathizer, Park was already in post-production when the strike began. HBO requested editing-related adjustments, and he discussed those changes with writers and editors using previously filmed material.” He continued, “No new dialogue or scriptwriting occurred during the strike. All new writing happened after the strike had concluded. Nonetheless, the WGA classified these discussions as ‘writing’ and initiated an investigation.”
Earlier, on August 9 (U.S. time), the WGA announced that both Park Chan-wook and his co-writer Don McKellar were expelled for violating strike rules during the 2023 strike. While details of the infractions were not disclosed, some foreign media alleged that working on the HBO project during the strike constituted prohibited economic activity.
According to Moho Film, “During the hearing, a panel of fellow writers concluded there was no intentional violation and recommended a private warning. However, in April 2025, the WGA board opted for immediate expulsion.” The company added that Park and McKellar chose not to appeal, explaining: “The expulsion was finalized in April 2025, and as they were already focused on producing No Other Choice, pursuing a lengthy appeal alongside work on the film was both logistically and emotionally taxing.”
As a result of losing WGA membership, Park and McKellar are now ineligible for U.S. film and TV projects requiring union writers. They also lose access to WGA’s minimum compensation, residuals, and welfare benefits. This effectively limits their ability to participate in productions with studios, networks, or streaming platforms that enforce WGA contracts—unless they work as non-union writers. Yet, the Moho Film representative insisted: “Regardless of WGA status, their creative work continues unhindered.”
Park Chan-wook, internationally acclaimed for films like Oldboy (2003) and The Handmaiden (2016), is preparing the release of No Other Choice. The black comedy thriller, co-written with Don McKellar, will premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival at the end of August, followed by its domestic release in September.
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
