Legal suits continues with Entertainment Groups in Korea

Lately we have been reading news of K-pop groups breaking up or band members leaving for good. What is going on? It seems to be a trend in this era where members were just unsatisfied with the way they were treated, lengthy contracts, uneven profits distributed and unfair treatments.

This is no big ‘news’ for JYJ's Junsu, Jaejoong and Yoochun, Super Junior’s Chinese member Han Kyung, Kara’s member Ji Young, Nicole & Sunghee, T-ara’s member Hwayoung, EXO-M’s leader Kris Wu Fan and most recent incident is ZE:A’s leader Junyoung. For those who are lucky to resolve their unhappiness and problems with their management company, we give them a good handshake and nod. Unfortunately for many, it ended up in law suits and legal courts. 

     

      

Apparently their lengthy contracts were just ridiculous- they are tied down for 10 years+ apart from being trainees, underpaid for their hard work, CF’s profits to be distributed mostly to the management company and managers, health issues and accommodation (dorms) were not in good conditions. Whenever we see them perform on stage with bright smiles, we do not know what’s happening behind the screen. These entertainers were sort of ‘cheap labour’ and mistreated from the beginning. From what we can see from the media- S.M Entertainment takes the top spot for 3 cases. Kris from EXO-M group just couldn’t take it so he left to return back to China, so was the same case for Han Kyung from Super Junior. For those who do remember Ki Bum- another member from Super Junior…he has never appeared much in their performances after the last album Sorry Sorry. I wonder whatever happened to him too. 

Most recent case is ZE:A’s leader Junyoung sends his tweets across the social media expressing his regrets and unhappiness with his CEO and treatment. It was heartbreaking for fans to see he has to ‘wash the dirty laundry in the public’ about his management co. How embarrassing it’d be for the CEO Shin and Star Empire Group! ZE:A has never been a popular singing group but lately they are gaining fame from their members- Kwanghee, Si Wan & Hyung Sik from dramas, movies and variety programs. Fortunately Junyoung's unhappy case was resolved and came into good terms with his CEO. However for JYJ members, Hankyung and Kris- it went into legal court case!

South Korea generates so much revenues from Hallyu stars, K-Pop, Korean dramas and concerts around Asia and other parts of the world. But in reality it’s a super tough competition for these celebrities. Their private lives were invaded by fanatic ‘sasaeng fans’, undergo plastic surgery to beautify themselves even if they are reluctant to, their entertainment company mistreating them…etc. It’s such a sad thing and sometimes these troubled people ended up in suicide attempts. For example- the lead singer from SG Wannabe group- Cha Dong Ha ended up in suicide because of depression after splitting away and not able to succeed in his career, singer/actor Park Yong Ha was also depressed and took his own life and actress Choi Jin Shil was surrounded with debts from her husband. I remembered I was in tears too when I saw Park Yong Ha's funeral online where actor So Ji Sub was seen crying non stop.

Kris, Hankyung and KARA members seem to be doing well after spliting away from their old management group. And I am always happy for my 3 boys- JYJ who have taken the rocky path and yet accomplished so much for themselves & their fans. I am proud of those who are brave enough to stand up against their ex-companies. Chances to reunite in their old band and groups are unlikely & low however I believe to the point their memories starting out in the this industry will remain forever. 

As a fan, we can support them quietly and hope the best for them in the future whatever they do. 

"If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces,
never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again." -Flavia Weedn