Korea Artiz Studio has abruptly ceased operations in Singapore, leaving dozens of couples facing more than $271,000 in prepayment losses for wedding photography services, according to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE).
Consumers Association of Singapore Receives 66 Complaints Over Sudden Bridal Studio Closure
CASE president Melvin Yong stated that the consumer watchdog received 66 complaints against the bridal store between Aug 14 and 18. Complainants reported that they attempted to contact the studio for the fulfillment of contracted services or refunds of their prepayments, but the business failed to respond. CASE has since reached out to Korea Artiz Studio to determine whether scheduled photography sessions will proceed and what remedies will be offered if services cannot be fulfilled.
Employees Post Door Notice Citing Unpaid Salaries and Management Silence
The sudden closure came to light after a notice was pasted on the front door of the studio, located in Carlton Hotel near Raffles City Shopping Centre along Bras Basah Road. An employee told the Straitstimes that staff members expected their wages on Aug 7, but the payments never arrived. The eight local employees—consisting of Singaporean, Malaysian, and South Korean nationals—were unable to reach their manager, who is based in China.
On Aug 14, staff members decided to close the premises to keep customers informed. The notice posted on the door stated that until staff receive a formal response from management, they are unable to provide customers with unverified information, answers, or commitments. When reporters visited the studio on the afternoon of Aug 18, the premises were dark and unoccupied. Despite the closure, Korea Artiz Studio Pte. Ltd. remained listed as a live company on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority’s Bizfile portal as of Aug 18.
Third-Party Album Partner Steps In to Return Completed Photos
Amid the confusion, a separate notice posted outside the studio offered a lifeline to customers awaiting their physical goods. Xu Lei, owner of photo and album production partner Dream Album, stated on the notice that she is in possession of more than 50 sets of photographs and completed orders.
Xu visited the shop on Aug 14 only to find it closed. She indicated that she is holding orders worth a few thousand dollars and urged affected couples to contact her directly to arrange for the return of their photo albums. Meanwhile, customers like Luke—a groom-to-be who spoke to Yahoo News Singapore—found themselves scrambling for alternatives just ahead of their scheduled wedding shoots.
Broader Regional Shutdowns and Corporate Background
The disruption at the Singapore branch follows similar closures across the brand’s international footprint. Artiz Studio’s Taipei outlet reportedly went bankrupt and shuttered on Aug 10, leaving a bride-to-be out of pocket after spending NTD140,000 (S$5,600) on a pre-wedding package, according to Stomp. Customers have also demanded refunds and compensation on the Instagram page for Artiz Studio Jakarta, according to Vulcan Post.
Founded in Busan, South Korea, in 2008 by Kim Yong Seon, the luxury brand expanded internationally, opening its Singapore branch in 2017. While the studio’s materials identify the brand as Korean-founded, Jiahao International Holdings—a Chinese wedding industry conglomerate led by entrepreneur Allen Shi—has publicly listed Artiz Studio among its portfolio of over 20 wedding brands operating worldwide.
