Spanish translation for this article is available HERE (traducción en español aquí), courtesy of our reader Bea.
“If Dong Bang Shin Ki’s Fans are Really 800,000 Strong…”
[Panel discussion] Tak Hyun Min, Professor, Hanyang University, “How to find a new path for Asia’s best stars”
August 15, 2009, Seoul—The Dong Bang Shin Ki incident, which erupted due to SM Entertainment and their unfair contracts, is struggling to find a resolution. In the midst of this, in order to prevent a second DBSK situation, the emerging consensus is that large-scale entertainment producers with capital must find a way to transcend the hard training model and utilise the media to come up with a better star management system.
On the 14th [August] at the joint cultural conference hosted by the Munhwayeondae held at the Francesco Conference Room on the ‘Exposing the problems of the entertainment management system and finding an alternative through the Dong Bang Shin Ki incident’, Hanyang University professor Tak Hyun Min, a panellist in the panel discussion section, said, “Even if SM comes out waving the white flag this problem won’t end,” and in order to solve the fundamental problems, “we have to make it possible for stars to make without having to depend on giant management companies.”
The logic of SM ‘If you leave us you can’t be as famous as you are now’ must be broken
According to Professor Tak, “Even up to the early 1990s there was no such thing as the giant entertainment company, and artists signed with record labels where, granted, the record label had the superior position relative to the rights of the singer”; also, “the one who broke this unequal relationship was Seo Taiji,” he emphasised. Although right now the one-person-led entertainment company is the norm, even up to the early 1990s it was a difficult sight to see. He said, “Seo Taiji set up his own agency so that he wouldn’t become hostage to a record label or the press and his band would be able to produced the music that reflected their own style,” also adding that, “while Dong Bang Shin Ki’s personal interests in this are important, in order for Korean popular music, which has at its centre similar idol stars and groups, I would like to request [Dong Bang Shin Ki] to lead the way in finding a new and improved road for the pop culture business system,” revealing his position on the subject.
When one Dong Bang Shin Ki fan expressed, “It’s not going to be all that easy for Dong Bang Shin Ki to change the system like that as you say,” he replied, “If Dong Bang Shin Ki really has 800,000 fans and if those fans stand by the three members(Youngwoong Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, Xiah Junsu) who deposited the injunction request for invalidation of their exclusive contracts in full support then it’s more than possible.”The reason why SM was able to throw away H.O.T saying, “if you leave us you can’t achieve the same level of success/fame” is because they (SM) were confident of this idea, Professor Tak explained. This means that if Dong Bang Shin Ki becomes more successful even after leaving [SM], the issue changes entirely.
Professor Tak continued, “Those who will make it possible for these men to fill this role [of pioneers in the Kpop industry] are the consumers and Dong Bang Shin Ki fans who give them full support in the market,” and “if the 800,000-strong Cassiopeia and Dong Bang Shin Ki together make this a reality, it will represent an instance where our music industry and system turns inside-out [via fan-power].” Professor Tak added thatwhat ‘Cassiopeia’ needs to communicate is “not a boycott against SM but that the other two should come out, that it’s okay to come out because you don’t need a giant management company to survive in the market and because we’ll help you.”
Dong Bang Shin Ki’s penalty for breach of contract currently 400 million USD
The panel’s follow-up speaker, Lee Dong Yeon, Professor at the Korea Combined Arts School pointed out, “The conditions of the contract between Dong Bang Shin Ki and SM clearly state that in the case where Dong Bang Shin Ki breaches the contract they would have to pay the management company the equivalent of 400-480 million USD,” adding, “for a contract arranged between Asia’s top-quality idol group Dong Bang Shin Ki and a top entertainment management company it is extremely unequal.” He later commented, “If it doesn’t want the breakup of an idol group at the peak of their fame, SM will also have to accept a more progressive and far-sighted position” in a way that incorporates transparent income reporting as well as a stable ‘income distribution + incentive’ model in its solution.
Professor Lee Dong Yeon urged aggressive/enthusiastic actions from ‘Cassiopeia’. He stated, “First, you will have to communicate to SM that you find the position of the three members just and righteous, that now that the three members have taken the direction of stepping out of SM through a legal channel the fans are behind them and will no longer tolerate the five of them being abused by their management company or their managers; this is the kind of direct and aggressive stance that needs to be shown by the fans.” He also added, “I think that Dong Bang Shin Ki’s vocal skills and dance skills are currently the best in Asia and the idol market,” so, “if all of you (Cassiopeia) stand by them they should have no problem succeeding on their own.”
The Dong Bang Shin Ki incident must not be seen as a problem of finances but as a problem of ‘the right to health’ and ‘human rights’
During today’s panel discussion, a fan of Dong Bang Shin Ki, Ms. Kim Eun A, came forward to reveal the position of the fans. She said, “In the 68 months since Dong Bang Shin Ki’s debut they have been flown around the world six times” and that their year-long schedules didn’t even include a rest period longer than 2 weeks. “One time, upon completing their Japan tour, the same week they were flown to Taiwan where they had to use a different language and sing and dance to an entirely different repertoire. Such an inconceivable schedule has led fans to say, this must be why their name includes ‘gods/god-like strength’. She continued, “Because it took the courage of the three members to engage in a lawsuit like this, we ask that you don’t simply view Dong Bang Shin Ki’s problem as that of finances or money but as a problem of the right to health and human rights.” She said of SM, “if you (SM) are not willing to improve yourself in this area of unfair slave contracts, then at least have the decency to let the five members go and not interfere in their activities afterwards.” Then she concluded, “if [SM] adds new members under the name Dong Bang Shin Ki that new group will be regarded as nothing but a ‘counterfeit’ Dong Bang Shin Ki by fans.
Even if it was delegated comprehensive authority the management company’s authority is limited
Lawyer Park Ju Min (law firm Hangyeol) elaborated on the legal aspects of this incident: “Even if a management company claims that it rightfully received the right to exercise comprehensive authority over the celebrity through delegation [translator’s note: he’s talking about the concept that in signing the contract DBSK members voluntarily gave up their rights to…well…everything] it is still obligated to ask for the permission of [the celebrity] when it comes to [the celebrity’s] individual projects.” Lawyer Park then added, “it is still possible for a management company to fulfil its role toward its signed entertainers whilst maintaining its authority,” and “the trend revealed by this incident is that in the contractual relationship between the management and their signed entertainers, the weaker side is the entertainer; but, accepting this, it is possible to channel this authority into protecting the entertainers.”
In addition, “the penalty that Dong Bang Shin Ki would have to pay for breach of contract, at 400 million USD, is too high,” and “as severe as the unfairness of the contract is, the imputation of blame/responsibility [to SM] is too small and progressively reduced.”
Also of note, SM’s representatives were invited several times to the panel discussion but in the end did not show up.
Source: Mediaus.ko.kr
Translated by: Jimmie@TheJYJFiles
Shared by: TheJYJFiles
~Please do not remove without full credits intact~
thanks for this post
thank you admins!hope all fans can see this one!
Going from being singers who just wished to have their own music heard to pioneers of a reform in the Korean music industry, how strange the rivers of Fates are.
Nevertheless, I only hope that they’ll soon have the wings they dream so much of.
Professor Tak added thatwhat ‘Cassiopeia’ needs to communicate is “not a boycott against SM but that the other two should come out, that it’s okay to come out because you don’t need a giant management company to survive in the market and because we’ll help you.”
THIS!!!!!!! HoMin are you there?? If only you’d listen and understand…Cassies won’t let you down because they love you for YOU not because of SME..
i forgot to add that Cassiopeia and BigEast and ALL DBSK “unofficial” fans CAN do this..(help DBSK survive SME) and they ARE doing it right now with JYJ…
survive WITHOUT SME..typo there..
gaaaah!!! i’m all messed up today 😦
100% agree! i will never let down an idol that have been fulfilling my heart with their performance!
can’t homin see what we are doing now with JYJ?
why do they have to be worried or scared if they knew that cassiopeia is rooting for them?
Totally agree!
For me JYJ are the contemporary heroes of Hallyu.. They are addressing the necessary reforms to an industry that is currently taking over Asia.. for Halyu to be genuinely successful it has to model not only great talent but also promote respect to basic human rights..
Right now, this is not the case..
Changes has to be made and with change, as history tells us, there had to be sacrifices..
But I want JYJ to triumph over this so that their names be vindicated and acknowledged not only for their talent but for the courage of standing even at the expense of fame and security.
@Jimmie, I hope.. most if not all of this articles be translated to Japanese and be posted on the major sites to help people from being brainwashed there.. Most of BE are loyal to Jaejoong and Yuchun but am worried that the longer the time they are not able to perform, the more possible that the people there be swayed by false rumors..
agree! need translate to Japanses,pls!
As JYJ fans we really need to clear a path for our boys to walk on…. They took the first and most difficult step of leaving SME so now it’s up to us the fans (be it JYJ only, Cassies and BE) to walk them through this lonely and difficult path. Tomorrow is a big day so let’s all pray and send all our positive thoughts and energy towards Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu.
I just hope that one day their peers in the industry will appreciate them for the better conditions they are enjoying and will enjoy in the future (as a result of this lawsuit) instead of calling them ungrateful and “inhuman”.
@jenknight18 Yes, they are heroes
@admin thanks for this site… good to have a JYJ haven to go to everyday.
[NEWS] CreaBeau speaks out on TVXQ Issue
Author: DBSKindo | Posted at: 12.11 | Filed Under: crebeau, dbsk lawsuit, news, sm entertainment, translations |
It seems we finally have word from the company that seems to be tangled in this mess.
When the TVXQ / DBSK / Tohoshinki controversy first began, the three members and their lawyers clearly stated that the three members’ investments in the CreBeau cosmetics line did not have any relevance to the court case. The core of the controversy was the legal issues of the slave contract. In SM Entertainment’s opening statement, they stated that the lawsuit was because of the cosmetics issue.
To clear up the confusion, Kang Suk Won, the President of the Korean branch of CreBeau (Wishop Plus) was interviewed. Kang has already sued SME’s CEO Kim Young Min for slander to the Seoul Central Court on October 4th, 2009.
Kang said, “Although this case is obviously to fight the unfair profit splits and the conflict between the members and SME, SME is trying to push the blame onto CreBeau.”
Kang went on to reveal that the three members have only invested approximately 70,000 dollars, 60,000 dollars, and 40,000 dollars respectively. This amount, he said, was not enough to earn the three members rights to ownership of the business, let alone a big part of the profit.
Kang said, “In May 2009, some SME representatives visited the original branch of CreBeau Cosmetics in China twice. They determined that the members were not going against contract terms in any way, and now SME is distorting the true reason behind the case and putting out ridiculous claims… SME said that the whole lawsuit was due to the members’ wanting to continue a business that went against contract terms. This has no credibility in that SME has already approved of the investments previously. The members wouldn’t risk all the things that they gained as TVXQ by creating a conflict with their company over insignificant investments. It was a private investment, and the three have no ownership over the business in any way. They’re merely investors, nothing less, nothing more. What does this have to do with the lawsuit, and why is SME attempting to connect the two together?”
Kang went on to say that SME’s actions have brought about significant harm to the business not only in Korea, but all over Asia, including China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, and even the United States. For the employees and CEOs all over the world, CreBeau is their sole income. SME should have considered the impact its blames would bring to the business and the people involved in it.
“If SME’s company and its profits are so important that they are willing to harm others for it, then SME should recognize that it is the same for others.” Kang went on to say that “If SME does not stop distorting the truth and doesn’t apologize for the harms it brought upon CreBeau, I will not hesitate to reveal the details of SME’s absurd act to the public and to the court.”
Source: Daum Media
Credit: Allkpop
thank you for this
grrr SM you guys are dead to me!!
thank you!
it seems like everyone is on JYJ side. I always thought that South Korea is such a cool country, I mean they have talented idols, their dramas are always soo good, their music is the best in the whole but their management system is far from being advance. I hope SME will stop being greedy and let the boys go, they have already received a lot of money from DBSK.
the problem is HoMin stuck with their own principles and loyalty and geese (i just cx get over the geese! jeez) Its not a problem a stron 800,000 Cassies can do. its hard to move a stone will, if only the reasons of them staying is loyalty. I always want to dedicate Dare You To Move by Switchfoot to HoMin. I always asked myself “what are you afraid of?” “Move!” Sometimes i feel that they are scared and not that confident with us, Cassies. I bet they didnt predict that Cassies are so persistent and all out in supporting JYJ stand now. If only they went out together with JYJ. Do HoMin doubt supports from us? I always have that feeling. Loyalty is one thing but confidence and fearless survival instinct that JYJ portrayed….I think they lacking that.
And SM ‘ve proven that they didn’t understand those words. That’s why they ‘ll continue like they was forever >_<.
And they even successfully brainwashed HM . Truly P.S.M like JAE said ( Pro SM ) LOL
THANK YOU ADMIN AND JIMMIE FOR THIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hi when was this panel discussion? I think someone needs to sub this in Japanese ^^ thanks for sharing this insightful read 🙂
to conclude, things are easier if the two members leave the company as well…but it’s Homin’s right to choose staying there keeping their seats warm….
…and as one of 800,000 fans, I’ve committed to support whatever their decision is even if it hurts me like hell….
Oh, he’s right. The two should get out of SM now. They should have from the beginning but it’s not too late now so try to defend SM anymore. We start to see a clear result now.
Why is it too late for Homin to get out of SM now?
I said not too late. How did you read too late?
Another wonderful article translated by Jimmie (thankyouu love).
a great article again, thanks Jimmie…
Some fans really don’t understand the situation. More fans should visit this site and jyjfiles, really.
Most of the fans are still seeing things emotionally. They are still discussing who is right or wrong, who is lying etc.
What they lived between them is only belongs to them It is up to them forgive each other or not. But this situation is so different. JYJ is so right about their stand and they are really brave.
“not a boycott against SM but that the other two should come out, that it’s okay to come out because you don’t need a giant management company to survive in the market and because we’ll help you.” THIS!
some fans complaining why we spend money on bus adv. etc. Why can’t C-jes do this for JYJ etc. haha we are not doing this to promote their album or something like that. They didn’t even undertsand what project means. It is so sad.They should learn more about JYJ fans and about the lawsuit more. We are supporting our starts. They think that we are blinded with their love. Yes we love them but I am blinded with the anger I hold against SM and the system.
I’m sure those who complain about the donation for Bus AD aren’t fans 🙂 🙂
fans always support the boys :):) 🙂
I think as they always say C-Jes is an agent so it’s not like the big management company like SM to have the ability to support financially. So I don’t blame C-jes and I believe in the decision our boys made to go with C-Jes.
How can i donate? (bus ad and ilovejyj online tv)
https://jyj3.wordpress.com/links/
Oh I hope they really listen to these people! They sound like they want whats best for people, not only think about money, thank you for this article, it brings hope to a better future for what JYJ are fighting for!
Thank you Jimmie for this article, hope JYJ can win the case.
i swear im werid cuz when i read those articles where Homin said some disapponting things and i started to hate them then i go back and look at the work the 5 did together and i love all 5 soo much! and deep down i still love Homin and i DO want to see them together once again. i agree with the article that Homin have to stand up i mean if they left as well then yea it was going to hard too but didnt they know that official and unofficial cassies would support them like crazy!! i mean i would! we could of made all 5 rise to the top oncea gain WITHOUT the help of SM *sigh* but for now im supporting JYJ until Homin learns to have some guts!
http://www.whatthetrend.com/trend/%23StopSME
let trend #StopSME on Jan. 18 to Increase AWARENESS about JYJ’s case
Pls join us, JYJ fans!!!
thats right muthafucka(sm) you tell em kang!!!