When I first got into Kpop, I was really bedazzled by how cool they look. They danced a bit more than the Jpop groups I was following, and they looked very pretty (not that Jpop groups aren't pretty either). I still have trouble singing along to their songs as it is difficult to pronounce words than it is with Japanese.
The group that I followed the most was, of course, TVXQ. It was something about them that drew me to them and kept me there. I do remember reading an article about S.M. Entertainment's '5 Year Curse' on any group they harbor, so one time I thought: "What would happen if they disbanded?" I had hoped that it wouldn't happen, but it did. After the three members left, things sort of changed for me and Kpop. It was like I was seeing things rather differently when it came to these companies and their artists. The biggest thing--and what the bulk of my post is about--is the ostracism of former members in a group from anything in the entertainment industry. My question is "Why?" Why do companies try their hardest to make it difficult for an artist who left to get on television or promote anywhere? Just today, I read some articles about the cast of "Ripley" not going on any television programs because of one problem or another. However, one of the cast members is Park Yoochun... =.=;; And if you've been following this whole lawsuit, you may have noticed that the three members haven't been able to do a proper performance on televison. And when they are promised to go on a television show, it somehow always gets cancelled. It's even to the point where C-Jes, their current agency, is a little weary of offers made my television stations because they wonder if they're going to cancel on them too. It reminds me of S.M. Entertaiment trying to gain signatures for a petition to keep JYJ off of any show. They stated that if the three members get back on television, it would "damage the Hallyu Wave". I can't see how their appearance on television would do something like that. I'd watch them regardless if it damaged the wave or not. I know most fans think that S.M. Entertainment is not behind every little fault the three members are experiencing simply because they aren't supposed to be messing with them, but if that were so...why couldn't they just let the members see how much they were making in the beginning? That is what this was originally all about. That and to give more leeway on their contracts. And it would've saved everyone the trouble.
It seems like the only way for all this to end for any artist is by apologizing for leaving in the first place. Jaebeom would have been a great example, but it not only dealt with his agency, but Korean nationalism as well. I can understand his apology toward the nation (even after they found out that he had said nice things about the country right after his not-so-nice comments), but I don't really see why he had to apologize to JYP Entertainment in order to promote again as he's not under them anymore. So does this mean that JYJ has to admit defeat and apologize to SM? I really do hope they don't. I find their reason for leaving as a justified action. And the company's behavior after their departure just makes the justification more relavent.
Another thing I notice is the interaction of current and former members. It's like they don't even talk anymore or totally forget about them. The group that I shall use is U-KISS. When Alexander and Kibum left, there was a long time of going without seeing Alexander or Kevin's tweets. Those two would tweet like crazy and tweet each other as well. Now I see them both tweeting, but they don't talk to each other anymore. There are times when Alexander tweets Dongho, but I don't know if he's answered to those or not. And of course there is SM Town... -_-;; It's like after JYJ left, they had to 'erase' them out of their minds. It was strange how the company so far has thrown Yunho and Changmin a birthday party. I really think it was incentive to keep them there. There could have been other reasons, but in order for me to change my view on that, they could've at least thrown a party for Kyuhyun (which is also in February).
I really think that it is time for South Korea to kind of change up how things are done in the entertainment realm. I know America was kind of like this back in the 90's when boy bands and girl bands reigned supreme. But things have changed and I think it's gotten better. Japan still does it, but it doesn't seem to be so bad. I even congratulate Arashi for staying together since 1999. Even better a role model for South Korean celebrity groups would be Shinhwa for they have been together for over 10+ years. If only my bias group, TVXQ, had done the same thing that Shinhwa did...they may have even changed the whole course of how entertainment is run over there. At least that is what a person who in into music has said. And I believe that it would have been true too.
Well, I think I've lost my train of thought, so I shall leave it as this. Peace out.
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