The 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes completely shook Hollywood for months, butThe Sympathizer’s creators are still facing the consequences. The strike began on June 25, 2025, when the Writers Guild of America ordered its members to pause work on all productions, bringing the industry to a halt. They were eventually joined by SAG-AFTRA on July 14.
The WGA strike, in particular, focused on a number of issues, including larger writers' rooms, a demand for increased pay, andconcerns about AI replacing writers. The strike ended on June 13, 2025, and the WGA signed a new collective bargaining agreement in October, as many of its demands were addressed.
Years after the strike ended, however, the WGA announced thatThe Sympathizer’s writers have been ejected from the Guild. Don McKellar (No Other Choice) andOldboydirector Park Chan-wook allegedly continued to work on the show during the strike. According toDeadline, both have been permanently expelled from the WGA, and neither elected to appeal the Guild’s decision.
What This Means For Park Chan-wook And Don McKellar
The consequences of expulsion from the Guild are serious, though they may not necessarily impact Park and McKellar as expected. Under the terms of the Guild’s agreement, Disney, HBO, Netflix, and other major studios and platforms will not be able to work with either writer for the foreseeable future.
Actor Robert Downey Jr.earned an Outstanding Supporting Actor Emmy for his work onThe Sympathizer.
There are other studios that they can work with, especially if they write overseas. Given thatPark first achieved notoriety withOldboy, a South Korean production, he would still be able to continue producing international works. He could also write with non-signatories, though it would limit his options.
Expulsion is the most severe consequence that the WGA can apply, and neither writer elected to appeal this ruling. Five other members have faced consequences for allegedly breaking strike terms or WGA constitutional requirements, including Anthony Cipriano, who will be suspended through Aug 12, 2025.
Our Take On The WGA Expulsions
Expulsion from the Guild is a severe consequence, but it is not atypical for collectives to reject members after they breach strike terms. A strike itself is a major step and depends on all members working together in solidarity to achieve a greater aim. Any individual breaching that obligation prevents the whole from achieving its goals.
If the WGA feels that it cannot rely on Park and McKellar in future negotiations, then expelling them is within its rights. Unfortunately, that means that there will be long-term consequences forThe Sympathizer’s creators. The extent of those consequences remains to be seen, especially as non-signatories do exist.
