SM reports Taeyeon trucks protesting outside building, police give permits to stay

Article: The reason why there's a Taeyeon truck in front of the SM building right now

Source: Idol Issue via Instagram

[+73] Honestly, it's not just Taeyeon that has this issue. SM has not properly supported any of their artists. They're always postponing plans every single year, dammit.

[+50] The police permit is hilarious ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+44] The fact that the police permitted the trucks to stay ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅎㅋㅎㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+19] So what exactly does SM even do in terms of work ???

[+18] SM's always going on about how they're in 3.0 or whatever but their work ability is actually -3.0. They're worse than any mid-tier agency and never listen to any feedback. I'm sick of all their typos and copied and pasted messages.

[+7] SM is an agency that reports their own fans ㅋㅋㅋㅋ when all they need to do is listen to the feedback

[+6] You fans are so pathetic. Look at how fervent you are in your desperation to give these celebrities your money ㅋㅋ if you have the money to fund something like this, please go do something more constructive with your family and friends

[+5] Sigh, SM never does anything right

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SM resolves contract battle with Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin after 18 days

Article: EXO ChenBaekXiu & SM clear up misunderstanding, "We will continue with the contract"

Source: Idol Issue + Insight via Instagram

[+200] If you read SM's statement, they agree to edit the contracts -> which means the contracts were unfair. All that talk about the external forces was not only a misunderstanding but false as well. There's not one claim that SM has made that ended up being true ㅋㅋㅋㅋ SM started this whole scandal by trying to frame the boys as traitors to people who aren't familiar with the details of the case, and now they're just like "it was a misunderstanding" ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 

[+147] SM, this better be your wake up call... Since they agreed to edit the contract, they're admitting that there were issues with it. All that talk about "external forces" was just media play from them getting all up in arms over a misunderstanding. They really tried to frame the boys out to be traitors, and it's ridiculous that they're like, "actually, we're all good now"... Did they think we'd all stand up and applause for them? SM pisses me off...

[+97] There are so many entertainment agencies out there and yet it's always SM that has these contract issues..

[+94] Once your contracts expire, please just leave SM and start your own agency. I can't stand that such a sh*tty company gets to have EXO. SM still thinks that they can get away with abusing their power and undermining their own artists like this. Wake up, SM. You aren't the hot shots you used to be in the past. EXO's the one keeping your finances afloat. #1 It was a complete lie that some external party was trying to get involved. SM's the one that lodged the suspicion and are only apologizing for it now. #2 SM's editing the contracts and continuing their relation with ChenBaekXiu. #3 In the end, ChenBaekXiu were the victims but SM was acting delusional like they were the victims all this time.

[+63] So all of the issues that SM lodged were originally their mistakes. They agreed to edit the contracts = which means there was an issue with the contracts in the first place. "External forces" = just a misunderstanding. SM was in the wrong all along..; They better get their act straight now...

[+47] I just hope that they truly did resolve everything and that this isn't the result of SM making threats or anything. Just so glad it's over ㅠ the members have suffered so much!

[+33] SM is obviously agreeing to edit the contracts because they were unfair in the first place. Why would SM comply with editing the contracts to ChenBaekXiu's request if there wasn't an issue? It's obvious that SM's the one who put their tail down in this fight after ChenBaekXiu asked the FTC to investigate all of the contracts under SM. They knew that they had something fishy going on so they decided to just put their heads down and comply. No matter how much media play they put out, no one believed them, and the public was accusing them of turning this into another TVXQ or actually even repeating the TVXQ scandal all over again. No one's going to want to apply to be a trainee under SM with all these slave contract scandals, and SM knew that continuing this fight would hurt their image. With how much albums Baekhyun alone has sold as a solo, I'm sure they didn't want to lose him either. 

[+19] "External forces" has always been something that was made up by SM's side anyway. SM better act right with this comeback now.

[+19] This is a first for SM, no? Good decision 👏👏👏

[+13] Looks like SM doesn't want to give up on ChenBaekXiu, all things considered

[+9] You guys have suffered ㅜㅜㅜ guys, please give your attention to EXO's July 10th comeback ❤️

[+9] "Misunderstanding" ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+9] Aren't they ajusshis with dwindling fame now? 

[+6] SM, if this ever happens again, I will kill you...

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SM and Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin continue to go back and forth in contract dispute

Article: SM "We will be providing ChenBaekXiu with the pay documents... This will not affect EXO promotions"

Source: Insight + Idol Issue + Idol Issue via Instagram

[+231] Should've provided them the papers from the beginning instead of letting the issue grow this big.

[+204] The only reason they're providing the papers now is because the Fair Trade Commission is getting involved, and the papers won't even be provided unless a written oath is submitted. The FTC already ordered two corrective orders and SM refused to make any changes. This is not Lee Soo Man only to blame because SM is upholding these conditions even after he's left. They're just rotten down to their roots. Imagine how bad it must've been for a member to reveal a part of his contract like this. Instead of building two, three new buildings, they could've spent that money on making sure everyone was being fairly paid. And that news about a new academy to train more kids in? Why? So you can train them straight into signing more of your slave contracts? They're paying tens of thousands a semester already, it's so clear that SM has gone insane with their greed. Their excuse back during JYJ was some cosmetics company and now it's "outside forces" again? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ JYJ provided proof that SM was forging their signatures on contracts, which was even testified to by an SM staff. SM has always been dirty with their management.
- [+1] Right? This issue is being persistent even after Lee Soo Man has left. At this point, contract issues just seem to be an SM tradition rooting back to their HOT days...

[+193] What's hilarious to me is that SM must really think the public, us fans are fools to fall for this ㅋㅋㅋ They keep trying to use media play to distract everyone from the issue at hand, while trying to run a smear campaign against their own artists. We can see right through you ㅋㅋㅋ I actually feel bad for anyone who is falling for their tactics ㅠ

[+94] Love how SM puts their tail down when things don't go according to their plan, especially after all that bravado about how they weren't going to back down against ChenBaekXiu in the beginning ㅋㅋㅋ Should've provided the papers when you were first asked, tsk tsk. Why can't you just do your jobs properly so that issues like this don't arise in the first place!

[+57] NCT better be getting paid properly, I swear to god...

[+45] I suppose this would be a similar issue to the rest of us never getting salary statements...

[+45] EXO's side in this life and the next

[+43] I've just... never seen a company that refuses to provide basic documentation like this. It's so unbelievable that they haven't changed from their HOT, TVXQ, to now even EXO days, which just further proof that every artist under SM right now is under the same contract terms ㅋㅋ

[+38] Fans are going to go crazy if it's found that NCT is under these terms too...

[+24] SM you dogs, what was even the point of chasing out Lee Soo Man if you're not going to improve yourselves? ㅡㅡ Lee Sung Soo better resign!!! You said you would with your own mouth!!!

[+24] SM, let's cut the criticism on your artists until after you've provided the documentation

[+22] This is why streaming songs is more important than buying albums. The money you spend on buying albums is never going to end up with the kids ㅠㅠㅠ

[+22] Sounds like nothing is actually going to get done with the kids constantly having to release counter-statements against SM. SM, please just go away. 

[+16] I think what angers me the most about this whole thing is that SM keeps saying that they don't trust their own artists by blaming rumors that they themselves have never witnessed their artists partaking in. These members have been loyal for 10 years (though I'm sure it was because they were under slave contracts now) and have brought them sales that allowed them to build new buildings and rehearsal rooms. It's so obvious that the members are in the weaker position here, and all they're asking for is some proper documentation, but SM is acting like they're under some conspiracy, which makes no sense. It's so frustrating how SM is using the same pattern they used with TVXQ. Why does SM even bother calling themselves an idol training company when they can't even handle sasaeng fans, can't help their artists with the stresses of the job, don't even trust their own artists at the most fundamental level? 

[+12] Providing them only now? ㅋ

[+11] This whole thing makes me so sad

[+9] They're only providing the papers now because the three of them asked the FTC to investigate all of the contracts under SM. And by the way, SM's only giving them the papers after a written oath is provided. 

[+6] SM's statement is so ridiculous that it's actually pissing me off ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+8] Can't believe they're still like this even after the TVXQ scandal..;;

[+6] Old habits never die... 

[+3] Leave out Chen, even fans don't want that father. Just make sure you keep BaekXiu. 

[+-] Those papers should've been provided the moment they were asked for, what's with all this deliberation anyway?

[+-] They've put their tail down, tsk

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Lucas to open a Bubble account post NCT exit

Article: Lucas opens his own Bubble

Source: Idol Issue via Instagram

[+61] So crazy ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+55] What a joke. Give us Sungchan and Shotaro instead. 

[+46] Wait, what? SM is giving us an opportunity to send a swear right to Lucas? Thank you for this opportunity ㅠ

[+28] SM is so stupid. They have nothing to gain by keeping him around, and what's even the point of opening a Bubble for him? 

[+22] SM's so... amazingly stupid

[+19] Huh? Surely I'm misreading this?

[+18] He'll use it to get another girlfriend

[+12] Screw this bullsh*t, just give us Sungchan and Shotaro instead

[+11] Please just actually become a Bubble and disappear

[+10] These SM f*ckers refuse to terminate contracts of kids like this because the foreigners still stan them ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+8] He wants to go solo and prove himself so badly but he's always had the worst talent in the group

[+7] Screw the Bubble, kick him out of SUper M first

[+6] I bet people will still sign up ^^ (people like me) anyone know a way to get around the swear bans?

[+6] Oh, I didn't know non-celebrities could open Bubble accounts?

[+5] Ugh just f*ck off Lucas

[+5] Nevermind a Lucas Bubble, give us one for Sungchan and Shotaro

[+4] A 4,500 won chance to swear at him to his face

[+3] Not a fan but genuinely curious if anyone would pay to sign up for his Bubble? 

[+3] Can't believe he's still around...;;

[+3] Ugh why

[+3] Please leave Super M 🙏

[+2] SM is so crazy ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+1] If you don't count the foreigners, there won't be any people actually signing up for this, so no worries

[+1] So basically only foreigners are going to sign up ㅋㅋㅋ

[+1] Wow, I still don't get why anyone would stan Lucas ㅋㅋ

[+-] Who would waste money on chatting with a criminal? 

[+-] I wouldn't sign up even if it was free

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Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin release counter-statement detailing shocking information of their contract terms

Article: "Contracts will be automatically extended if album sales don't meet target goals" Fans shocked by details of contract information revealed in ChenBaekXiu's counter statement

Source: Insight via Instagram

[+366] For how much longer is SM going to continue plaguing everyone with slave contracts? And I doubt these contracts are any better for the artists who are currently active and promoting right now too, sigh

[+310] An explanation for the people who don't understand: if the contract has three album releases scheduled for the duration of their contract but they were only able to release two in the time period, then their contract automatically gets extended again, which puts all the power in the company's hands since they can just decide not to produce another album to keep your hands tied down to them.

[+132] I can't believe SM is still doing this...

[+111] Wh-what kind of marketing tactic is this, SM? I'm not understanding how fans are supposed to help out? Do we buy their albums or not? ㅡㅡ..
- [+41] It's not about the album sales. The contract has a set number of albums that they're obligated to release during their term to uphold their end of the contract, but SM can make up any excuse they want to withhold production and prevent those releases, which would then make it a slave contract. 

[+72] At this rate, SM deserves to be boycotted...

[+57] 22 years have passed and nothing has changed

[+48] They have way too many issues to be considered a major Korean company anymore

[+27] SM should just stand for Stupid Management at this point, and I don't think they can refute it ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+5] The work of Lee Soo Man

[+3] They better not end up like TVXQ or I'll curse SM for life 😡

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Hybe, JYP, YG, SM first-quarter earnings

Article: Hybe/SM/YG/JYP's first quarter earnings

Source: Idol Issue via Instagram

Operating margins:

Hybe: 12.7%

SM: 8.9%

YG: 23.1%

JYP: 35.5%

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[+110] Whatever, I just want to see NCT...

[+99] YG really doesn't have many promoting artists so Black Pink must be making them a ton of money

[+73] JYP's operating margin is crazy
- Yeah, because they make a ton of money and never invest any of it in their groups. The point of turning a profit is so you can invest it back into something but they don't.. a high operating margin isn't always a good thing. If anything, we should be criticizing JYP. Other companies invest in their groups multiples of what they make, while JYP buries all the money they make and leave their groups out to dry...
- It just means they're operating for their company only and not for their groups. They don't have any care for promoting their groups, and these numbers may seem great for their investors but they're horrible for their fans. 

[+44] SM, take care of your artists. Where is the 3.0? Are we in the 3.0 right now? More like -3.0. 

[+37] Hybe never does anything but eat our f*cking money

[+37] Black Pink is basically keeping food on the table for YG

[+36] Hybe, stop eating all our money and do something...

[+34] Can SM please do something... they said we're entering version 3.0 so where's the 3.0...

[+29] Just you wait, JYP. Our kids are having their comeback and your profits will soar after that. 

[+27] YG's getting huge profits off of Black Pink alone... our kids are the jjang... ❤️

[+12] SM, if you need money, you can always give us an EXO comeback. You promised you'd give us notice and yet it's been two weeks since the lack of notice... as if I'm not already mad that the comeback's been postponed to the third quarter

[+10] JYP needs to get to work if they're going to eat up all our money. All they do is take our money and don't invest any of it back into our groups. F*ck this. 

[+4] ㅋ... Hybe... please do some actual work! and not just collecting money!

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