SM Entertainment attempts to consign a rebellious pop group to oblivion
The South Korean pop group JYJ came onto the country’s fevered music scene in 2004 as three fifths of the then-pop group DBSK. They were soon to become what observers call by far the most successful and best-selling pop group that SM Entertainment has ever fielded, making countless millions of dollars for the management company in just five years.
However, today singers Kim Jaejoong, Park Yuchun and Kim Junsu remain entangled in a legal system that favors the powerful after the trio attempted to break a 13-year contract they had signed as underage teenagers at the start of their career. It was a contract that worked them to near exhaustion, paid them a fraction of monies earned, gave no accounting of royalties and left little room for renegotiation despite its decade-plus tenure. The group sued to be released and the court agreed. The contract has since been declared invalid by the court as being too heavily weighted in SM’s favor. But that wasn’t the end of it.
SM Entertainment is the biggest of South Korea’s big three talent management companies. It has faced widespread criticism that it relies on slave-like contracts that indenture performers to their agencies for at least a decade with no way out. Among others it has produced the groups Girls’ Generation, Kangta, BoA, Super Junior and many others. Observers, however, charge that SM operates almost like a cult.
And, as intensively as the company works to produce pop stars, their critics say that clearly it works equally hard to wreck the careers of those who attempt to escape their contracts. It is acknowledged that JYJ exemplifies that line of attack. The three themselves say they repeatedly asked the management company for royalty statements showing a true accounting of revenues they earned for the company and. after finally realizing fame and success, to simply be paid a more equitable share. Among other points of the now-invalidated contract they signed as teenagers was that they would have to pay the company US$400-480 million if they were to leave before it ended.
The invalidation of the contract doesn’t mean the end of their legal troubles. On Sept. 13, the Seoul District Court postponed indefinitely a reading of its verdict in the final case in favor of mandatory arbitration. South Korea’s broadcasting networks agreed that they would uphold the ban “until a verdict is reached in the lawsuit,” despite the fact that the court said two years previously that SME’s action was illegal and punishable by a fine. But as long as SM continues to stonewall, refusing to budge in negotiations on how much money it actually owes JYJ, there will be no end to the lawsuit. And the banning of JYJ will continue indefinitely.
As Asia Sentinel reported on Jan. 2011 in a story about SM Entertainment’s lollipop group Girls’ Generation, South Korea’s pop scene is like no other in the world. As carefully as Korea, Inc. manufactures cars, televisions, containerships and washing machines, it uses those same techniques to manufacture pop stars. It relies on intensive preparation and slavish attention to detail, a business model referred to as “cultural technology,” which has taken the country’s entertainers far beyond its borders even as the genre is dismissed by music critics of what seems a cookie cutter mold for its pop groups, leaving much to be desired musically and artistically.
When the three decided to strike out on their own despite SM’s threats, they left with little more than their clothes. The company actually owned everything they thought belonged to them, including the recording devices and tapes on which their new, unreleased compositions were written as well as all the gifts fans had given them.
SM, insiders say, draws on a wide range of entertainment industry, broadcast media cronies and other seemingly official organizations to keep young performers in line. For instance, in January 2011 the Korea Entertainment Producers Association petitioned its members to sign a statement saying that “If the verdict is made favoring the side of the trio who filed an injunction as well as a lawsuit, countless celebrities will abuse these results to file lawsuits against their respective entertainment agencies, regardless of the fact that the initial injunction and lawsuit were filed by the trio for the sole purpose of attaining individual financial profits by abusing the erroneous public preconception of slave contracts.”
From the time they filed their lawsuit until the end of 2009, the three say, they fulfilled all contractual agreements arranged for them by SM. The last appearance with their two former group members Jung Yunho, and Shin Changmin, was at a year-end performance in Japan.
Subsequently, all manner of difficulties began to arise. The original soundtrack for the wildly successful Korean drama SungKungKwan Scandal, which co-starred Park Yuchun, was allegedly held up by distributors. Television interviews with the singer-actor were cancelled and even as he accepted the award for Best New Actor at The KBS Drama Awards he mysteriously was never mentioned or shown in any television entertainment programs touting the drama or his achievement, even KBS’s own.
Baek Chang Joo, the president of JYJ’s new management company C-jeS said last year that everything his company tries to do to promote JYJ takes four times as long because everywhere they turn they are hindered, cancelled and barred.
SM vainly asked for an injunction to keep the trio from releasing its new English-language album “The Beginning,” sending a letter to Warner Music telling them not to distribute it. On October 13, 2010 it was reported that the Korean Federation of Pop Culture and Art Industry asked three major broadcasting companies, cable TV stations, record labels, distributors, press and other related organizations to refrain from casting JYJ for TV appearances or to engage in business with them.
When the South Korean media reported that, the federation denied that it was actually an “official document” – a statement which was belied after the letter, bearing the “Official Document sent by KFPCAI,” was later produced and made public. In yet another twist, this alleged official watchdog federation had never been heard of before they sent the document. It had no business address and no contact information.
Yet the document was taken as gospel by all who received it. It was almost as if someone far larger, more influential and powerful was really behind it – someone with a raging grudge against JYJ. And apparently the warning was heeded. The pop group’s appearance at South Korea’s Blue Dragon film awards was cancelled. Appearances were either delayed or cancelled for a variety of television talk shows and all music shows.
Critics say it is an open secret that SM appears to have been behind a long list of attempts to blacklist the group. Visas were unaccountably held up for a trip to the United States to do mini-showcases to promote their album, “The Beginning.” The four showcases were then held for free and were a huge success. Still JYJ worked determinedly and kept moving forward. In the US there were collaborations with Billboard Magazine and MTVKorea.
Once they returned to South Korea, JYJ embarked on a full-scale concert tour. Their first scheduled one was held in Seoul in November at Jamsil Olympic Stadium, over two nights, drawing a combined 70,000 fans, a sizeable number from Japan. These concert dates were followed by concerts in Thailand, Taiwan, China, then North America. They finished up with two more sold-out concert dates in South Korea upon the completion of these legs of the tour.
Thus despite the pressure and blacklisting, JYJ has managed to flourish, producing a major, international hit album “In Heaven” in 2011, starring in multiple successful K-dramas and doing a combined European, US and South American concert tour to wild acclaim. Amid the pressure that SM has brought to bear make a cautionary example of them to the rest of their signed acts, they have proven that they can be successful merely on their own talents and abilities and with the support of their fans.
The trio continue to do charity work and act as their country’s ambassadors for a variety of trade associations. Also beloved in Japan they even did a benefit concert to aid the victims of the Fukushima Earthquake which they were forced to hold in a remote area of Japan because a business associate of SM’s, the Japanese entertainment company AVEX did everything in their power to block it, this time unsuccessfully. The people, the fans and the town fathers wanted JYJ to perform. And they did, to about 80,000 fans over two days.
From the start there have been many ups and downs. But one unwitting parting gift they got from their years at SM was the ability to work as tirelessly as anyone in the music business today, with great enthusiasm and unfailing good humor. Their talent as singers, actors and performers is and always was their own. The three proudly proclaim themselves Korean. Even in the face of being blacklisted, banned and treated with distain by the South Korean media and music industry, they continue to love and represent their country.
(The writer is a U.S. based songwriter and music publisher concerned with the cause of justice for recording artists in S. Korea.)
Credit: Asia Sentinel
Shared By: JYJ3
that’s the facts. thank you…
Guys, please tweet any/all news outlets with the original link to this article:
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4882&Itemid=189
It’s clear and well-written, and any right-thinking person would be outraged by it.
clap!!!clap!!!clap!!i think the writer is a fan..if nit she/he really do a lot of research!!
@syirafm
I think the writer is….. me!
@lilibaiyu
hello sis ! maybe you are the one..thank you very much for writing this..The truth will come out !
We need to continue praying for JYJ..to be strong and feel our LOVE for them. no matter what happens we will continue to support them… I am still crying when I remember what happened to our Junsu..sob sob sob..
@jamaryka
So the next job is to get this baby out there! Hey — I wonder if AllK-Pop would reprint it?
@lilibaiyu
‘run and hug you’
u speak everything very well dear….i am not sure myself if i can do the same time like u ^^
it’s still gonna be a very long road but……i won’t gave up even though the things that i can do for the boys is limited
thank u dear for writing it ^^
@miaw
xxxooo
@lilibaiyu I’ve already thought that the writer is you eonnie~ ^^
I love your column here. Your words really fierce n so very true!
All those banned n all the censored thing towards JYJ are TOO MUCH n ridiculous!
Well, I believe in Karma, you reap what you sow! I believe, soon or later, JYJ will win against SM!
But ’till then, I hope JYJ will always stay strong and never give up!
Let’s continue to support JYJ!!! \(^-^)/
Ahh~ I wanna say thank you for spoke up so boldly but well-analyzed about JYJ arbitration @lilibaiyu
And thank you for defending our JYJ. ^^
@kuon_kuu
It was my great honor to simply put down in a logical order my thoughts and the true timeline of what JYJ has been through in the last 3 years. Thank you so so much for reading it and for your kind words. xxoo
@lilibayu Thanks sister,you’re the best…
*hugs and kisses*
Love you…
@Mimim…. Baby muuuuuuu love you ^____^
@anva sister,is that realle really really you?What’s happen with your DP ?
*hugs*
Its meeeeee…..On the road to work site, use by phone, get mess up somewhere^_____^ baby how are you? You doing fine? Can not joy but sometime try to read your tweets to less miss you kaka… Sweetie take care, ok?
Wow it’s your.,,,,, Hug ssssss kissss @lili sis ^^
@anva
Thank you, dear Anva.. xxoo
If it is you…….can I tell you again how much I adore you?
Sisl@ Lili …. You realy realy Awesome…. Very happy to know you…. Hope your artical will everywhere!
@lilibaiyu
Wow, thanks for writing this articles. I hope the hold world can read your articles.
After 13 Sept., the lawsuit delay again, I really upset and I didn’t read JYJ3 for a while until I see the title of your article. Actually, any article bw SM and JYJ, I read all of them.
We wish JYJ be STRONG ENOUGH to fighting with SM.
That’s reason why I spend time to read all your comments and articles you have been written.
Maybe you could send the article to Lisa Ling. She’s Korean and she does a lot of investigative reporting on behalf of the the OWN network (Oprah’s new program). She could report on the “KPOP the untold story” with JYJ as the focus. I think its better if you send the request, the article would get more credibility since your the author.
@alohastate
Good idea — do you have an email address for her? Does anybody?
it’s so rude!!! JYJ fighting!!! keep strong … and keep smile … we *fans* are always there for you guys!!! FIGHTING!!!
Go JYJ. You three may not know each and every one of your fan but know that we are all behind you as one.
This is amazing! I’m so happy. Was this published in the U.S. or was it online?
This is so sad. I hope God gives JYJ strength to cope all their problems.
LOL! My comment sounded so wrong after I read yours. But yes the circumstances are never all that “happy”. I am pleased though that someone is willing to write an article for JYJ (in English, outside of JYJ3) that unapologetically stands up for them. I’m tired of all the crappy 2 paragraph “articles” sucking up to SME as if they really gave a shit.
This is clearly a ” Gresham’s law “, a deliberate “Bad money drives out good”.
Thanks for your article!!
JYJ , experience depriving labor contract & ordinance for years, the ugly truth shocked the world, especially in Asia entertainment industry. No one can believe DBSK5 worked under a deprived working condition and income reward. Even the court ruled for JYJ, yet the verdict still drag on.
If JYJ suffer mental illness, or even worse, we known who the murderers are .
Great article,hopefully will send good messages to the JYJ world.What I admire JYJ is that they know how powerful SM is,yet they decided to break out.They had the strengh while in SM,as they grow strong
now,they are more patient,more active in different fields and regnized by more fans.Justice always serves at the end.Let’s wait and see how SM goes down to hell.
Reading it all here, in one article…makes me very sad actually. For a moment I was about to cry, when I read the part where it says they left SME with only their clothes basically, and that even fangifts were owned by SME D:
JYJ will have our supports no matter what. Keep fighting!
JYJ, we are proud of you. Keep Fighting!! Always stand by your side and give our supports.
really proud of JYJ, not just SM I believe every entertainment companies joint to kill JYJ as example to those who want to rebel them, JYJ’s spirit of keep fighting on is so admirable. They run non stop, show their skills. they just do by their heart & no business strategy can keep up on that because we can feel their sincere heart behind their action.
JYJ really remind me of this poem “Invictus”
“Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.”
WE LOVE JYJ AND NOTHING CAN STOP OUR LOVE FROM GROWING.. We may not see them on television or even hear them.. but as long as we have the channels to support them in anyway.. we will.. they are wayyy too talented to be defeated!
<3 JAEJOONG I LOVE U MOST! <3
Reblogged this on JUNO Junho.
this is very critical social issue , not only in Korea, but across the countries!
Do parents know how their younger generation being brain-washed?
SM entertainment just declared SM a virtual nation, with passport & flag & song
A ceremony pseudo like sports event, but totally enforce the importance of loyalty to SM nation.
Even Korean youth were shocked, this is a cult? another scientific religion ?
Here:
http://forums.allkpop.com/threads/music-nation-smtown-wtf.28414/
So shocked to find youth facebook ,or other forums full of praise to this ONE & ONLY ONE monopoly ideology. BOA & one of the oldest idols became the spiritual leaders alike. And BOA promote the Only one song ft with different boys groups idols in sensual dances.
This cult, must be stopped.
And I wish the judges at Seoul court reviewing JYJ cases, attended yesterday 32th Para game , personally experienced what is bully, cheating in JYJ daily life.
Japanese main blogger cried as below:
http://blog.livedoor.jp/asian9437/archives/51797892.html
This is the rough tent, for JUNSU & dancers waiting so long under 8c~10C at night,
and dancers can’t bear the chilling wind torture, because there is no door, no shield.
They waited until 23:30 or beyond…. trembling in thin clothing…
The photos :
http://tieba.baidu.com/p/1912262492
For consumers still buy anything from SM, I wish you close your eyes and imagine, JYJ deserve this unreasonable discrimination ? Jaejoong & Yoochun have tv drama or movie,
Junsu has only music.
@ JYJ global listener,
Thank you for all the links and information… always love your sincere hardwork, passion & dedication ,
as well as your thoughts that facilitate discussion and open up ideas.. TQ!!!!
OMG!!!! Are you serious with this bullshit!!! LOLOLOLOOLOLOLOLOL! Shit them bitches are starting a Charles Manson cult up in here. Poopy……this…..is just so absurd. I don’t even know….
I wouldn’t freak out about BoA. Her music career is a pale shade of its former self and I think “Only One” sucks sweaty goat balls. (yeah I went there) Then she said she wrote/composed it which explained why it was so bland. I saw her dances with Yunho, EunHyuk and Taemin…..didn’t really care much for one version or the other.
Thank you for summarizing whole story so clear.
Now many i-fans understand what is all about.
We hope it will come to an end someday…
We are supporting you JYJ!!
Maybe this article and the name of the writer can be sent in to those stations that you guys are writting to. That way it gives a certain credibility to your argument. When you have writers reporting on the issue, then it doesn’t come off as the rantings of fans. But a real issue that should be address.
I mean send this article along with your own statement. Not just this article.
cannot help to hate SME and their artist (i know i’m being unreasonable to hate their artist but i cannot help it since every time i saw their artist in the variety show i remember jyj’s face who being suffer because of their company)…
the most disappointing thing is the court decided jyj’s case will be postpone indefinitely, seriously i don’t know what’s the meaning of indefinitely, its been freaking 3 fuc*ing years and then they easily said something like that! even when the court rules jyj have rights to perform and doing activities still sm cock-blocking jyj freely and obvious! seriously in SK the law doesn’t have any value!
speechless, that’s all. SM you had a great idea producing TVXQ, you are great at creating idols, but now you failed. JYJ is one of the best korean group, and you are just… well… acting dumb. True in Korea they might not talk about it, but internationally these things are starting to be known… and as much as SM is powerful in Korea, I’m not sure about the rest of the world… not the best publicity for the company nor for kpop. JYJ fighting!
many years ago, one very famouse British band Depeche Mode wrote and sang this song:
The handshake
Seals the contract
From the contract
There’s no turning back
The turning point
Of a career
In Korea, being insincere
The holiday
Was fun packed
The contract
Still intact
The grabbing hands
Grab all they can
All for themselves
After all
The grabbing hands
Grab all they can
All for themselves
After all
It’s a competitive world
Everything counts in large amounts
The graph
On the wall
Tells the story
Of it all
Picture it now
See just how
The lies and deceit
Gained a little more power
Confidence
Taken in
By a sun tan
And a grin
The grabbing hands
Grab all they can
All for themselves
After all
The grabbing hands
Grab all they can
All for themselves
After all
It’s a competitive world
Everything counts in large amounts
The grabbing hands
Grab all they can
Everything counts in large amounts
nothing has changed.
“Their talent as singers, actors and performers is and always was their own.” -> THIS!!! i’m tired of antis/people who keep saying that JYM should be grateful of SM for found n trained them. NO!! SM didnt found them. as far as i know, only Changmin who was found by SM, the other 4 were auditioned for SM. so basically, it was SM who was lucky that they went to SM and not to other company. coz they have the talent already. Junsu have good voice since he was little, thats why SM accepted him as their trainee. Chun was never even trained as actor properly in SM, yet he have great talent in acting. Jae was tone deaf before he trained himself and the later auditioned for SM. SM never teach him to directed anything, yet he directed all JYJ Asia Stops for their concert last year, and also directed an sport gala.
Just because you found a diamond rock and shaped it to a diamond, you cant never claimed that it was you who created it. you just shaped it till it became a diamond, but you didnt create a diamond. it was GOD who created a diamond, you just lucky enough to given a chance to shaped it to be a beautiful and expensive jewel. yes, you were the one who made it shine n pretty, but it also what the diamond has in it to be able to stand during the shaping so it can be a beautiful jewel. if it didnt have the quality, durability and ‘talent’ to became pretty, you would NEVER ever succedeed of making it beautiful, shine n expensive.
“The three proudly proclaim themselves Korean. Even in the face of being blacklisted, banned and treated with distain by the South Korean media and music industry, they continue to love and represent their country.” -> hear this Korea, even a foreigner himself stated how they love n proud to be a citizens of SOuth Korea and keep doing their best with utmost proudness n dignity as South Korea representatives, yet it was YOU who cant even appreciate them…
I absolutely LOVE your diamond analogy. So perfect!
thx u for your kind words =)
i always believe even until now, that it werent TVXQ5 who lucky SM ‘found’ them. it was SM who lucky coz those 5 destined to be together in SM. even until now, i believe many will agree, not even 1 male groups in SM, no matter how popular n big the fanbase n the group itself, SM yet found another one like TVXQ5. And JYJ, i believe even if they went to another company, with their talent they still can achieve success. all 3 have proven that they can achieve success even when they are in solo career. heck, even IU, Beast members were rejected n cut from big company like YG n JYP, yet they can success in an unknown n new company. so, no. it was SM who lucky that the boys went to SM. just like any diamond designer is very lucky when they could found a great quality diamond rock that they can shape it the most beautiful jewel =)
@one_nee
I loved your post. It kind of made me tear up, actually.
I think you’re right — SM was *lucky* enough to have found itself in possession of this brilliant diamond – DBSK. And what did they do with it? Did they treat it respectfully and look after it? No. they used it and abused it. They worked it nearly to death and refused to share the wealth that it had made possible for SM to enjoy. In brief, they exploited and squandered this precious and rare thing. And now that JYJ has left, SM wants to smash this beautiful diamond into a million tiny pieces, never to be seen again.
What should we DO with this company of evil men??? I think we must expose what they have done to the harsh light of day and watch them act like the scurrying cockroaches that they are.
@lilibaiyu
Ditto ^^
and Thank-You
@Cat95
You are so welcome. I was sooo happy to do it. Finally, finally after all of these years of listening to and loving their music, I was able to do something for JYJ! I just can’t tell you how that made me feel. And now, I really really encourage all of my friends here on JYJ3 to think of what YOU can do! It’s so worth it, when you reach out, try your best and then good things happen. I urge you all to make a difference.
thank you @one_nee! I love how you liken them to a diamond, I kind of tear up too just thinking of what they’ve gone thru to be where they are now. and thank you very much lili for a very courageous article in exposing the heavy handedness of SME and its cohorts. I hope the whole world will now know of how the entertainment industry of KR is being lorded over by some tyrant.
I just knew it that the writer is someone who knows the boys very well. thank you! thank you! Kudos! ＼(^ω^＼)
thx u for your kind words, eventho i know with those horrible english, those many words with wrong spelling n grammatical errors can make people feel headache, lol =D
*hug*
@one_nee it’s okay..the thought was clearly relayed and understood.. (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ
@eimar ebiro
Thank you to you for reading it and responding. I’m overwhelmed by the response here. As to the heavy-handedness of SM, I have yet to fully encompass the sheer size of it. It is WAY beyond what any of us here have imagined. it goes as far back as the very minute that the members of JYJ said to them, “No, we will not share our profits with you from our Crebeau investment, which we made as individuals, taking all the risk, with our own money.” It was at this moment that SM mounted their campaign of personal character assassination against the members of JYJ. Then, when the lawsuit was filed, I fully and honestly believe that there was a group of people, within SM, whose full time job it was to dismantle the great achievement that was the members of JYJ and tp ruin any future career of JYJ by means of widespread and pervasive disinformation and outright lies all targeted at naive fans too young, unwitting or too lazy to second guess what they read, do the research and get the facts.
So much truth has now come to light three years later. So much of what was initially trumped up and fed to misled fans has now been shown to be transparent lies served up by people with an agenda to shut down JYJ’s exodus from SM.
To the so-called fans of DBSK who knowingly participated in this campaign of lies and subterfuge, I really feel sorry for you. I don’t know who got to you or what they said to you to make you do it but they were using you in the most cynical and low-down possible way and you allowed it to happen. That must be a source of shame for you that will linger for a lifetime — that you were used by SM so they could continue to make money and escape the consequences of their horrific practices to lie, cheat and steal.
@lilibaiyu u rocks babe!!! I really love what u wrote..so proud to be one of JYJ fans..so proud of you..♥♥ we really can feel,imagine their hardworks,all the obstacles they faced in this article.. :’(
“Amid the pressure that SM has brought to bear make a cautionary example of them to the rest of their signed acts, they have proven that they can be successful merely on their own talents and abilities and with the support of their fans.” Yes,our support and faith in them makes them stronger..Our Jaejoong,Yuchun and Junsu..don’t ever give up and keep moving foward..we will never turn our back to u..together we keep progressive..
“But my heart it at ease right now.
Because I am able to feel the love of our fans……I’m thinking of sharing the load I have kept in my heart all this time.
Though nothing is ever easy, my heart is at ease.
I’m happy because we have our fans for our family,
I’m always thinking of you all……I love you.
So could you believe in us till the end.
Could you tell us that you love us.
We’ll work hard till forever, so could you stay by our side.Because we still have you
And you still have us
I promise, that I’ll show you everything eventually.
Yes, we are JYJ.”
We will never forget these words Yuchunnie..we love all of u,always♥(^3^)♥
oh dear my sista Lili… how are you? been too long since i talked with any of JYJ3 sis =)
thx u for your kind words… gosh, so embarrassed that i called the writer ‘him’ while it was you who wrote this ^///^
thx for this… so many times i really really love your comments…*hug*
The truth will come soon. Be patient JYJ, SM Ent. will drown by itself!!! Honestly, I do not like all the singers that the writer said the above except Super Junior! BOA who is she? My God …. she no good & not even beautiful ! Do you all think she can sing? Yes she can sing but not good! Above all singers in South Korea, KIM JUNSU IS THE BEST follow with KIM JAEJOONG & PARK YOUCHOON….. the Best Actor!!!!
Be strong, GOD always with you ……
In fact, JYJ already the biggest winner in our heart ! They have proved that they can be successful on their own talents and abilities !
They should win again in any fight , because their strength & we’ll stand by your side !
I totally agreed this words — ” But one unwitting parting gift they got from their years at SM was the ability to work as tirelessly as anyone in the music business today, with great enthusiasm and unfailing good humor. Their talent as singers, actors and performers is and always was their own ”
However the most important is JYJ always working 10000 times of harder and non-stop to walking forwards !! I always touching by their truely side.
JYJ had gained so many loves from fans of the worldwide and our fully support for them whenever, whatever, wherever only JYJ existed !!
We Love & Support our JYJ boys forever and ever , our loves will become stronger and stronger especially our boys to be bullied , aim to protect our loved boys ^^
V@_^V
SM is a sore LOSER!!! JYJ is a RARE GEM!!! Yes, SM, you did it to yourself…you let this RARE GEM slipped out of your hand! Too bad, too late! You are a LOSER! JYJ will shine even more brightly than you will ever know! The world loves JYJ! By your dirty tactics, you have just help launched JYJ into worldwide recognition! I never even knew who TVXQ is until I heard of this childish discrimination against these TALENTED YOUNG ADULTS!!! Beware of the WRATH from HEAVEN!!! BEWARE!!!
Me too, I know TVXQ from JYJ. JYJ Fighting!!! We are always support you ^^
Hooray!! There is some progress! This was published in the Asia Weekly? This story needs to go worldwide. Anyone reading this, tweet, fax, email this story to as many so news sources as possible. Again, I am amazed at the courage of JYJ to withstand all of these horrible injustices. Boys, we are in your corner to the end. Just keep strong–SOMETHING is going to happen good in your favor.
@ShirleyUSA
It’s the Asia Sentinel.
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4882&Itemid=189
Over 1900 hits so far!
done posting at asia sentinel
Thanks Asia Sentinel writer for writing the matter as it is. Every time I re-read what deep shit JYJ have gone through in order to break away from that hell-hole and to seek their personal as well as artistic freedom, my blood boils again. This is a serious problem, and the general public need to be aware of it. This type of corrupted, bullying collusion must be condemned or else the weak will forever be oppressed and fall victims to the powerful. Idols are also human beings, they also have basic human rights and shouldn’t be treated like mere goods or tools to make money for big companies. Business is business, contracts can be made or broken as the law see fit, but they must be fair and square for both parties in the first place. Everyone has the right to stay or leave as they wish, depending on how they feel about the working environment and whether they’re paid accordingly. I don’t buy the loyalty crap SM likes to feed its followers. If SM really treated its idols nicely, why would it be afraid that those idols would follow JYJ’s steps to sue it? It’s also the first time I’ve heard that a court can put a case on hold indefinitely despite the fact that both parties can hardly reach any agreement during arbitration. Korea is really full of surprise huh? I agree that we should include a link to this article as reference when we’re writing to those U.S media.
Well written article…..since somebody already did the writing,….the rest of us please do not forget to circulate this
far and wide…this is the least we could do…
The link http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4882&Itemid=189.
We as witnesses to these injustices will have to take the stand NOW and ensure that justice prevails!!!!!
Hi guys, OK, here’s the article – please tweet it far and wide and let’s also try to get it reprinted by other news outlets.
Cheers!
awesome article! JYJ needs more of this-standing up for them like they might have a cause worthy of note. hope more will take note of it and SAY something!
@koreamom
“JYJ needs more of this-standing up for them like they might have a cause worthy of note. hope more will take note of it and SAY something!”
And now’s everybody’s chance because there’s a comment section at the end of the article on The Asia Sentinel site. (Just click the link at the top of this page to go there or it’s http://www.asiasentinel.com) I hope everybody leaves their comments and/or additional information about JYJ there!
good idea and thanks for the website add. i also put this on twitter as others did too. going there now!
Reblogged this on luminarytriad.
Love this article…..and love this statment..’Their talent as singers, actors and performers is and always was their own. The three proudly proclaim themselves Korean. Even in the face of being blacklisted, banned and treated with distain by the South Korean media and music industry, they continue to love and represent their country’….
Is it wrong to fight for your rights? Human rights?…
these talented and hardworking youngmen have sacrifice their early years for music and keep on fighting for their music in their own country…..
SK u should proud to have such citizens…
@trulymike
“SK u should be proud to have such citizens…”
I think that’s the most appalling thing about what’s going on in SK right now. People keep posting on JYJ3 “Nobody in SK cares about this fight anymore. They’ve all just accepted that’s how it’s going to be and moved on.” What should really be happening is that the powers-that-be there should see that JYJ are the true and real ambassadors of their country rather than the throwaway K-Pop groups Lee Soo Man keeps churning out that are ALL fatally tainted with his BULLSHIT agenda for world domination. JYJ are real. They are authentic. Their hearts are in the right place. SMTown is a hellhole of lies and fear. Gee, government of S. Korea… which one do YOU want to represent you?
@lilibaiyu…should i give u standing applause? love on how this article being nicely written to tell the world on injustice for JYJ in their own music industry…
simple chronology on what had happened to JYJ and the facts can be absorbed easily…nice work sister!!..
already shared this article and blog….:)
@trulymike
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am so moved and grateful for everyone’s generous praise. I hope to do more.
i/m crying so bad…i want all if this to end and our boys can live happily..without any restriction..do what they want to do T.T
Reblogged this on JYJ's Fan Worlds.
Thank you! We thought nobody will hear out our cries T_T
Thank you for this clear summary write-up which a lot more people will read and understand JYJ’s situation. Will help spread this article to other media sites together with the unjust treatment article to Junsu at the Para games. This is too much and angered me the whole day yesterday. Support JYJ and CJES throughout this difficult period and I believed GOD is always protecting and giving strength to our JYJ boys since the day they left SME. D-day is coming soon. Lets all pray from all walks of life in this world for JYJ. Always Keep The Faith!
@Jess Tay
Thank you for getting involved and doing something that will matter to JYJ. It’s a great feeling, no?
Oh, and while you’re at it, look at this! http://forums.allkpop.com/threads/music-nation-smtown-wtf.28414/
The story keeps getting more and more bizzare. SM will be the architect of their own downfall for sure.
@lilibaiyu
Nice to know you. Don’t mentioned. We should have done this long time ago to help JYJ. Now there are more JYJ fans all over the world, my instincts telling me victory should come soon. I wished we could all unite and be in Seoul to protest and stage strike in various shopping district to attract attentions. Talk to you again soon.
@Jess Tay
OMG, if I were in Seoul there would be panic in the streets around the offices of SME! lol It’s funny, because I was just reading an old JYJ3 post called “Who Is Forever?” [ http://jyj3.net/2011/02/09/trans-who-is-%E2%80%9Cforever%E2%80%9D/#more-4117 ]
In it there’s a reference to a time when thousands of Cassiopeia fans boycotted SM and all SM product during the time when SM was trying to dump Yunho right before the debut. It made me kind of sad all of a sudden that that great and powerful fandom has become so fractured and fractious, due to SM’s immediate and vast manipulations of information/propaganda/falsehoods almost from Day One of the split. SM knew that they had to dismantle Cassiopeia as the most immediate pressing first order of business. They could NOT allow this huge fandom to remain united and run the risk of having it turn on them again. It’s interesting to view things in hindsight sometimes.
Reblogged this on Kimmaiyu's and commented:
Haters gonna hate. JYJ did all they can to give their best to their fans no matter how tall the obstacles stand. They have every right to perform as many other artists. I hope thr people of Korea will open their goddamn eyes. Time to break the ban on JYJ!
This is so awesome – please give it a moment of your time and a read. This is the next salvo across the bow, aimed directly at SME!
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/jj9r45
I read the Asia Sentinel first before JYJ3, and when I read (The writer is a U.S. based songwriter and music publisher concerned with the cause of justice for recording artists in S. Korea.), no other name came into my mind except @lilibaiyu. CLAP CLAP CLAP …. what a great article summarizing JYJ’s saga !
@kris
lol Thanks, Kris. It was a labor of love and I was happy, so happy to finally crystallize my thoughts over the last 2 years and give something back to JYJ, who have given me so much happiness.
I already twitted the original link to CNN, NBC, Washingtonpost and others, I’m still looking up for more outlet to share this brilliantly written article, thumbs up to @lilibaiyu.
“the three proudly proclaim themselves Korean. Even in the face of being blacklisted, banned and treated with disdain by the South Korean media and music industry, they continue to love and represent their country.”
that’s understandable of every patriotic citizen, and they have nothing to be ashamed being koreans at their own merit. that’s why it’s hurting that their own country is like disowning them for fear of being emulated by other artists rebelling/abusing agencies if ever they win the lawsuit. if could have been fair if the battle is kept between JYJ and SM, but powerful as SM is, what’s appalling is their influence to block/ban the three from pursuing their career, that even courts and government are seemingly their puppets. If the court is not confident to go against Sm giant, make a stone face and deliver the littlest favor to JYJ, but just DO IT! Delaying verdict is no justice, but cooking injustice to become justice, you’re in a lot of fire hell!!!
@maejae
What you say is all true. But if we can get enough traction on this story, worldwide, to the point where the negative publicity is actually hurting them, I think maybe SM will change their stance. It may be an idle wish, but this is what I choose to believe.
“Even in the face of being blacklisted, banned and treated with disdain by the South Korean media and music industry, they continue to love and represent their country.”
As JYJ continue to love & represent their country eventhough certain parties are working against them , we as fans will forever continue to support and love them by helping to promote their existence and to be by their side thru thick and thin.
There are many SM fans among the Koreans. That’s why such shameless things, unthinkable elsewhere, could have been going on and on in Korea!
I know Korean people better through these endless incidents.
National scandals! National shame! Incredibly shameless!
the more fans JYJ get the more SM will not be able to block them and TV stations will have no choice but put them on TV and media.
Reblogged this on dreamalexia.
You gotta be kidding me!,! This was really the case?
“When the three decided to strike out on their own despite SM’s threats, they left with little more than their clothes. The company actually owned everything they thought belonged to them, including the recording devices and tapes on which their new, unreleased compositions were written as well as all the gifts fans had given them.”
How dare SM!
“But one unwitting parting gift they got from their years at SM was the ability to work as tirelessly as anyone in the music business today, with great enthusiasm and unfailing good humor.”
that’s what i like about seeing the boys, their hardwork.. it’s amazing.
yesss………..i love their hardwork too…never give up and always continue with the good work.
How can we help by spreading this article out….all over the world
Cassies should be more organized… lots of cassies are still scattered here and there…
Sometimes, I think when JYJ are enlisted to the military service, some camping will help torture them.
Consider SM strong tiding with the military depart. They know how to entertain the senior rank of generals,
and please them with SNSD. Any one who have watched the shocking SNSD at boot camp x’mas show , SM successfully
won the heart of all military forces with girls.
They are friends, will reciprocal SM whenever in need ( just saying)
I hope Rain can help JYJ out earlier….
I think maybe that is being a bit too paranoid. They are pretty girls sent to entertain the soldiers. That is all.
All companies have sent entertainment over to the troops. I remember IU did something like this too. I gotta say these mofos are hilarious. They act lie they have never seen a female before. LOL!
@JYJ global listener
It means nothing, it costs nothing for SM to pimp out its indentured girls, its property, for this kind of testosterone-fueled hysteria among men too long without the company of women. Once again, SM shows us how cynically and craftily they use and abuse their “human assets” to co-opt the SK government.
THANKS sis lilibaiyu
hey we’re from indonesian can do it???????bagaimana kalo kita juga kirim artikel ini ke metro tv????
@dolta_dodol
mungkin bisa dimulai dgn kirim artikel ini ke situs2 berita yg emang punya section khusus k-pop. tapi sayangnya kebanyakan situs2 itu cuma beritain k-pop dng 1-3 paragraf doang.
Reblogged this on murasaki 紫 and commented:
@lilibaiyu ^_______^
+ ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Dear @lilibaiyu,
It was such an amazing article! I totally understand the whole thing! I thought I would give up reading since its sooo long and I’ve experienced it before when reading long article, because I’ll understand like 10% of it?.. This time its 100%! Thank you so much for putting it into simpler words and now I know the whole situation of JYJ before….
Thank you.
@athrun90
My pleasure. I have wanted to do something like this for a very long time. I have been very very frustrated with the plight and ongoing injustice that JYJ has had to bear, very depressed by the seeming endlessness of the fight and the growing apathy of the SK public to what is happening there. It seems to me they are only too happy to proclaim Psy’s success around the world, thinking it means something good about SK (which it doesn’t) and to become bored and increasingly look the other way about what is still happening to JYJ.
Anyway — we fight on!
thanks for writing this~
@noiha
You’re very welcome. Thanks for reading it and commenting on it. 9400 hits on the Asia Sentinel website when last I checked!
@lilibaiyu…i believe it will hit 1mil in no time…coz we already spread the link..
@trulymike
Let’s hope! The more hits on the story, the sooner we will be able to post another article on the website! My next piece will focus on the Time magazine article A Friend Of JYJ posted which appeared 10 years ago and the travesty that just happened this last Monday to Junsu at the Para Games.
waaaah~ awesome! thanks for writing this~
God Bless the person who wrote this article. I totally sobbed after reading it just thinking about all the obstacles JYJ has overcome. I am so proud of them. They can only continue to be successful. We love you JYJ!
this is really a great article. hope it spreads to all news publications worldwide whether print, broadcast or online so that everyone will how despicable the entertainment industry of south korea is.
@Lilibaiyu!
BRAVO! EXCELLENT! SO WELL WRITTEN!
Please lets spread this -, the clarity is exceptional. Even someone totally new to the JYJ “situation” having read this article would then have a good understanding of what has happened.
AWESOME! Thanks to Lilibaiyu and Asia Sentenial for having the GUTS to publish it!
NOTE: Two headlines 10 YEARS APART>> NOTHING HAS CHANGED
2002 Headline >> Flying Too High – The systematic corruption of the South Korean Music system (Time Magazine)
2012 Headline >> K-Pop Group Under Threat: SM Entertainment attempts to consign a rebellious pop group to oblivion (Asia Sentenial)
____________________________________________________
10 Years ago a story was published in Time Magazine about corruption in the K-pop industry. The story highlights SME and Lee Su Man and his part in the corruption.
ITS BEEN 10 YEARS AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED >>> The systematic corruption of the South Korean Music system continues and right in the middle of it all is SME.
Here is the link to the story… AGAIN This was 10 years ago and it seems AT THAT TIME South Korean justice system was willing to investigate and go after the abusers… Yet here are in 2012 and it seems the corruption is now so entrenched that SK legal system has turned a blind eye>
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2056115,00.html
__________________________________________________
This has gone on for 10 years its time to stop this madness. STANDUP4JYJ and lets do our part.
Ohhhh, I just got icky icky goosebumps….
…that and a strong urge for some vigilante justice. Where’s batman when you need him?
“From the start there have been many ups and downs. But one unwitting parting gift they got from their years at SM was the ability to work as tirelessly as anyone in the music business today, with great enthusiasm and unfailing good humor. Their talent as singers, actors and performers is and always was their own. The three proudly proclaim themselves Korean. Even in the face of being blacklisted, banned and treated with distain by the South Korean media and music industry, they continue to love and represent their country.”
– I love this last paragraph. Yes, so true! Despite all the poop and dirt JYJ have faced, they still love their country; they promote their country; they do their best for their country. If this is how their own country repays such loyalty, I wonder at how it has managed to gain said loyalty in the first place, but whatever. JYJ are the better, more mature people in this situation and I believe all these trials were put in their way to help them shine all the brighter! JYJ, fighting!
@sanri_su
It is a well-known truth that out of the mud grows the lotus. Look at Vincent Van Gogh. Arguably one of the greatest artists the world has ever known. In his lifetime, he never sold one single painting.
The thing that SM fails to understand is that the more they press upon JYJ, the more they distress and make things difficult for them, the GREATER THEIR ART WILL BE. This is the simple truth of the nature of art. It does not grow from wealth, ease and complacency, it grows from difficulty and travail. this will be JYJ’s secret weapon. the more SM harrasses them, the greater they will become.
JYJ hwaiting !!! =)