This is the second part of “Who is Forever?” This one tells the story behind the contract between TVXQ and SME.
Regarding the Contract between TVXQ and SM:
We've already discussed the unfairness of the contracts between members of TVXQ and SM Entertainment countless times, and the Fair Trade Commission has also acknowledged the unethical conditions. What I would like to discuss this time are the changes to the contracts that have been made since the initial signing. There have been several hearings since the lawsuit was filed, and if you've read some of the fan-written reports, you would already know much of what I am about to say.
The original term of the contract was 10 years long, but it was increased to 13 years right before the releasing of TVXQ’s first single “Hug.” Do you not find it odd that such a substantial change was made right before their debut? Could they say “No” after working so hard for years to be where they were? This was definitely an act of coercion by SM. I have to talk about Yunho in detail because some fans have a misconception that the term was changed to 13 years during the “rotation incident.”
Let’s Get into the Details:
When SM decided that TVXQ were ready to make their debut, all members, excluding Yunho, initially signed for 10 years. Yunho’s father believed 10 years were too long, and Yunho signed for 7 years instead. After the signing, SM actually decided to pull Yunho off the team. Jaejoong and Junsu strongly fought and reobtained Yunho’s place on the team, and the aforementioned change was made to their contracts, increasing all members’ terms to 13 years. The “rotation incident” happened after their debut. (T/N: “Rotation” refers to SM’s plan to make TVXQ a team of continually changing members.) SM, again, decided to replace Yunho with a trainee, and this was when the parents of all five members, who wanted to save Yunho, signed a written agreement which asked SM to protect the current state of TVXQ for the next 13 years.
Any fan with a well-functioning brain would never see this written agreement as a reason for Jaejoong, Junsu, and Yoochun to continue fulfilling their contracts despite the unfair conditions. Yunho fans, especially, must not use the agreement as a weapon against JYJ.
The evidence, showing it was indeed Yunho whom SM wanted to replace, was Yunho’s father’s involvement. He joined many of Yunho’s fan pages and asked the fans to show their support for Yunho. Outraged by SM’s plan, a majority of Cassiopeia decided to boycott SM and all products advertised by SM artists. Yunho’s father later asked the fans not to take extreme actions, not wanting to provoke SM. However, he still asked the fans to continue fighting for Yunho, and much of this remains both in the fans’ memories and in evidence.
But why did so many fans believe that SM was targeting Jaejoong instead of Yunho at the time?!!
(T/N: This post is in Korean and explains the interaction among the members, their families, and fans during the rotation incident. It states that there were many fans waiting for TVXQ at an airport and that they saw Jaejoong sobbing, and that was why fans were lead to believe it was Jaejoong.)
If this is not enough information, please read the official notice of 20’s Cassiopeia fancafé here.
Regardless of the length of the contract, the members always tried their best to fulfill their responsibilities given by SM. They worked so hard to juggle through cruelly busy schedules outside Korea that I was afraid their “loyalty” to SM would end up hurting and destroying them. I assume that they became more and more unhappy about their relationship with SM where they were given an exhausting amount of responsibilities and very little privileges in return. When SM started interfering with their sideline business, Jaejoong, Junsu, and Yoochun probably felt betrayed and started questioning SM’s plans for them and their future under SM.
People who consider themselves talentless would probably appreciate SM’s long-lasting contract terms. However, I do not see why people who are capable of continuing their musical growth have to stay bound to their contracts when it is legally possible to break free. Yunho’s father once said “A contract is a contract, and it must be fulfilled.” Changmin’s father said “An unjust law is still a law.” Excuse me, but I have to laugh. How could Yunho’s father, who is so proud to have graduated from law school, make such a nonsensical argument? Being a student of law myself, I feel quite ashamed for you.
Thank you so much
ReplyDeletevery very love last paragraph