Xiumin from Ok-pop boy band EXO / Courtesy of INB100
Considerations over potential blacklisting practices have resurfaced in Korea’s leisure trade after a former SM Leisure artist claimed he was barred from showing on main broadcaster KBS‘ music present. The allegation revives long-standing suspicions of whether or not the leisure large obstructs tv appearances for entertainers who’ve left the corporate.
The renewed controversy echoes earlier incidents involving JYJ, former members of SM’s group TVXQ!, and brings into query whether or not the so-called „JYJ Regulation“ enacted in 2015 successfully curbs businesses‘ affect over broadcasters.
The artist in query, Xiumin, who rose to prominence as a part of SM’s boy group EXO, will launch his new solo album „Interview X“ below his new label, INB100, on March 10. Nonetheless, his promotional plans have hit a significant roadblock as nationwide broadcaster KBS allegedly knowledgeable his company that the singer wouldn’t be allowed to seem on packages that includes SM’s artists, together with „Music Financial institution,“ one of many nation’s largest music exhibits.
One Hundred Label revealed the difficulty by means of an announcement on March 4, saying the choice is tough to simply accept.
„A public broadcaster has successfully blocked an artist from connecting with followers, not on account of musical causes, however due to its relationship with a selected leisure company,“ the label stated, condemning KBS‘ choice as „deeply unfair.“
Along with KBS, main broadcasters MBC, SBS and Mnet have reportedly additionally determined to not function Xiumin on their music exhibits subsequent week, coinciding together with his promotional actions. Given Xiumin’s reputation and powerful fan base, his absence from main music exhibits throughout this era raises additional questions.
In the meantime, these similar packages are anticipated to function performances from SM Leisure’s newly debuted woman group, Hearts2Hearts, fueling hypothesis.
Xiumin of EXO is ready to launch his first solo album, „Interview X,“ after greater than two years on hiatus from solo actions. Courtesy of INB100
KBS dismissed One Hundred Label’s claims as „utterly unfaithful,“ and the company retaliated by withdrawing its artists from KBS packages on Thursday, together with singer Lee Mu-jin from KBS YouTube music present „Leemujin Service“ and comic Lee Soo-geun from KBS JOY’s speak present „Unpredictable Fortunetellers.“
Han Kyoung-cheon, head of KBS’ leisure middle, addressed the difficulty Friday at a press convention introducing the broadcaster’s spring lineup.
„‚Leemujin Service‘ is not going to search a alternative emcee till Lee Mu-jin returns. If we wait and talk, good alternatives will come,“ Han stated.
One Hundred Label reversed its choice Saturday, permitting its entertainers to return to their respective packages.
Nonetheless, relating to Xiumin particularly, Han offered a moderately diplomatic rationalization.
„I’ve directed ‚Music Financial institution‘ for a very long time and casting choices for every present are 99 % as much as the manufacturing employees. In the end, it’s about communication between the manufacturing group and the company,“ he stated.
When contacted by The Korea Instances, SM stated it might „subject an official response when prepared“ however had not accomplished in order of Sunday.
From left are Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin, members of boy band EXO created by SM Leisure. The three broke off from their former company and signed with INB100, a label based by Baekhyun in 2023. Courtesy of INB100
What occurred between Xiumin, SM?
Xiumin, together with fellow EXO members Chen and Baekhyun, unilaterally introduced the termination of their unique contracts with SM in June 2023, citing unfair phrases. Shortly afterward, Baekhyun based INB100 which is at present below One Hundred Label, whereas Xiumin and Chen joined him.
The trio had raised considerations over SM’s lack of monetary transparency and alleged contractual violations, prompting them to declare their contracts void. In response, SM accused „exterior forces“ of making an attempt to poach its artists.
Each events later reached an settlement through which SM would oversee EXO’s group actions, whereas particular person pursuits could be managed below INB100.
Nonetheless, in June 2023, the three members held a press convention with out their attenaccusing the corporate of failing to honor its income distribution agreements and demanding an unfair 10 % minimize of their private earnings.
SM swiftly denied the allegations, stating that the artists have been searching for to learn from EXO’s model whereas disregarding their contractual obligations. The corporate filed a lawsuit to implement the contract, and the dispute stays unresolved till as we speak.
SM Leisure headquarters in japanese Seoul’s Seongdong District / Newsis
Blacklisting historical past
SM Leisure has beforehand confronted related allegations relating to JYJ, a gaggle shaped in 2010 by former TVXQ! members Kim Jun-su, Kim Jae-joong and Park Yoo-chun.
Initially debuted as TVXQ! in 2004, the three left SM Leisure in 2009 following a contentious break up. They sought authorized motion to terminate their contract, citing unfair revenue distribution and the extreme contractual size of 13 years. They shaped JYJ below C-JeS Leisure, with SM equally accused on the time of blocking JYJ from showing on most broadcasting stations in Korea.
The controversy led to political intervention, culminating within the passage of an modification to Korea’s Broadcasting Act in December 2015. Often known as the JYJ Regulation, it goals to stop broadcasters from unfairly proscribing artists‘ appearances with out authentic causes.
„We fought in opposition to unfair practices for years,“ JYJ stated on the time. „We hope this legislation will forestall related injustices within the leisure trade shifting ahead.“
Nonetheless, the trio revealed their struggles over the shortage of change.
From left are Kim Jun-su, Kim Jae-joong and Park Yoo-chun, members of the now-disbanded Ok-pop band JYJ. Courtesy of C-JeS Leisure
Throughout a 2020 look on Korean instructional broadcaster EBS, Kim Jun-su said, „For the previous 10 years, I have never been capable of seem on correct broadcasts. Even after the legislation was handed nothing modified.“
It in the end took 15 years for Kim Jae-joong and Kim Jun-su to reunite collectively on a KBS program, marking their return on the fact cooking present „Stars‘ High Recipe at Enjoyable-Staurant“ in December 2024. They appeared with out Park, who was excluded following his 2019 arrest on drug expenses.
On the time, KBS defended itself by stating that the manufacturing group for every program „independently determines“ which artists to function primarily based on its manufacturing wants, with out immediately addressing the accusations relating to JYJ’s exclusion.
