SM Lays Down The Law
This week in the Dong Bang Shin Ki/SM saga, it seems like new information is released every few minutes, so if this is old news by the time it is posted, I KNOW. I’m enjoying the spectacle as much as the rest of you (non-Cassies) I’ve just got my fingers crossed this will all turn out ok, lest the four horsemen of the apocolypse bear down upon us following the group’s disbandment.
As of today’s news, we’ve learned that SM is willing to negotiate – but not too much. They’ve got their own high-powered lawyers and they’re not planning to roll over easily. Now don’t get it twisted, they are looking to settle but they can’t promise concessions on everything, like oh, basic human rights.
A breakdown of their side:
You don’t sell 500,000 albums, no money for you!
Well, SM is justifying this by saying that they’ve provided the boys with expensive lodging and transportation, even while SM’s finances were still crap. Where’s the gratification?
Distribution ratio:
Of course the boys are bringing in revenue that can differ depending on the CFs, merchandising and cheesy knickknacks, but why is everyone focusing on the fact that we threatened the boys to sell half a mil? No fair!
You need to make money, no sleep for you!
Yes, we know that 3-4 hours of sleep a day during a 140 hr work week is a bit extreme, but that is how boys become men. You hear that? We turned H.O.T. and Shinhwa into men. Ok, maybe we’ll give you five hours.
Final Statement:
We are going to utilize every high powered lawyer at our disposal to wipe out this thing, because if we lose our gravy train, we’re screwed.
In addition, Junsu, JaeJoong and Micky are not playing softball, as they’ve recruited top lawyers of their own to represent them in the case. I’ve never been a DBSK fangirl, but be still my beating heart; I love a man who has the cajones to take down the establishment.
Break out the popcorn folks, this may take a while.
sighh…~ im so nervous!
please SM just give what DBSK diserves!!
im so scared TT.TT
*prays* we love you DBSK, always keep the faith!
forever five!<3
Sometimes I wonder what do kpop artist do after 2 am.. I mean, do they still need to go on recording or training that they only sleep for 3 hours…? And cant they take a nap on plane? I know it’s uncomfortable but they need as much time to rest.
It’s a wonder they can still perform live with smile on their face.
i can believe SM has the nerve to argue with DBSK about this. This is blatant slave service! I bet normal guys doing their military service get more rest than these guys. And guess what SM, after Shinhwa’s like 5-year contract ended with SM, they left for Good Entertainment. Shinhwa must not have liked SM very much.
I love a man who has the cajones to take down the establishment.
THIS
but the other two…..still boys i see and willing to be bent over!
Don’t know much about DBSK or their music – I know right, i’m must be living on Mars! But i do know they are huge, making a lot of money for their record label and these guys should get a fair cut, as i imagine they work their butts off!!
Its bang out of order the way some of this so called talent agencies make millions out of these groups and the talent barely see any benefit of their hard work.
Generally, these types of bands don’t continue forever….unless your name is Shinhwa and they should get their just dserves
Good on em i say!!! Stick it to the man!
I’ve never been a DBSK fangirl, but be still my beating heart; I love a man who has the cajones to take down the establishment.
i feel the same way ;)
DBSK FIGHTING! YOU GO GET THOSE 8 HOURS OF SLEEP! WOOOO!
if dbsk wins this…then what of suju/snsd/shinee? will their contracts be reconstructed too? that’s bad news for sm. i don’t think they can afford to lose this case. even if they settle, i doubt it’ll be much.
God, I can never imagine having to sleep two-three hours of sleep every day!!!!!
I also don’t like the face that only three out of five are fighting against this stupid contract. It gives me a bad feeling.
I just wish for them a good luck….they need it from their fans.
I wonder why BoA and Kangta decide to stay if the company is so messed like this…
Can I copy-paste my answer to over-working issue from other blog?
Payment – this I can understand, I agree that every man should be paid proportionally to what he is doing. I hope that SM will be able to make step in this direction.
But about overworking – it seriously makes me angry. What did those guys think – they will work 9am-18pm and 5/7? Duh, I work in ship chandler agency and when we have big orders we all work like we are posessed. I have days in my working list when I worked up to 20 hours and stayed at work to sleep. And it’snot one or two days, it could be two month when I sleep 2-5 hours a day. Then it will be a break when I work normally and some order again. It’s especially sweet when I have exams in my second University at the same time. And it’s not because my boss is evil, it’s because it’s important to supply the ships with all necessary equipment urgently and they sometimes are in different time zone so if I need to wait till 5pm on the West of US when I am in Russia, you can count how much time I need to spend at work to make a call. Why do I do this? Because of money, of course. It brings GOOD money and I have a goal to achieve with those money so I’m ready to work extra. Still, my money are nothing comparing to what DBSK are paid. So when I hear “oh, poor boys, they overwork” I go “duh, they can sell themselves only while they are young so take it like a man or find other job”. Maybe it’s cruel, but that’s based on own experience. If you have a goal you need to work for it. It’s hard but not impossible for the girl, are those guys that weak?
Actually .__. there are times that they wish to be on break… but they just keep working for the company and fans. I believe they have worked during their trainees time so they know what’s like having a dirty job around teen ages, earning just a few won. Seriously, how do you feel to sleep less than the recommended time practically every day? There was a week I had sleepless night and 2-3 hours of sleeping. If I keep doing that everyday, I would be sooo tired. Oh yeah, it’s been 5 or 6 years now. In Japan, it seems like they can rest a little more than in Korea. In Korea, they attended a bunch of variety shows. (Music shows is normal…)
This is the result of greed at the end of anyone’s day.
These boys were too greedy for fame at the beginning of their careers that they were willing to sign any unfair contract to begin with.
The company is just plain greedy.
Just one wish… Please SM don’t make Super Junior like this…
I can’t imagine what’s gonna happen….
Anyway, I wish all the best for DBSK!!!
They deserve the new contract..
The old contract is ehhh!!!!! Poor DBSK……
@DAPHNE: Yes!! WIN.
@Xenia
It’s great that you are willing to work hard for your money. DBSK also works hard for their money.
You sometimes have to work 2 months without sleep, the boys do that almost the whole year with just 1 week off the entire year. They’ve been doing it since they were teenagers and have been working like this for almost 6 years so I don’t think they are weak as you say.
You also say ” every man should be paid proportionally to what he is doing.” Then you go on to begrudge them the money they make just because they make so much more than you.
But like you said, your pay depends on what you are doing. What you do and what they do are 2 different things and the pay scale is of course going to be different. But just because they make sooooo much more than you already then you don’t think they should complain about getting cheated by their company?
You are making good money for the field you are in so don’t they deserve to make good money in the field that they are in even if it’s more that what you or I make.
Last, you told them to get another job if they don’t like it. You and I can do that. If we don’t like our jobs we can just leave anytime,but they can’t even do that. They would be sued for everything they’ve got and then some.
So I don’t think your comparison works. Although you work hard at your job, they also work very hard. I don’t think they are a lazy bunch. But unlike them you don’t have a chain around your ankles. You are free to walk away whenever you like. So there’s a big difference.
Well said, Mei!
And no matter how much one is paid, one cannot be deprived of enough sleep (for long periods of time), and a fair compensation/remuneration. Ask ANY doctor what prolonged lack of sleep does to you, its scary.
I would have expected EACH dbsk member to make USD5-6 million a year in the past 1-2 years, with the scale of their fame and popularity.
And a termination clause consisting of hundreds of billions of won in compensation (without taking into regard past earnings) is just plain slavery. It would be struck down in any western system of law definitely.
@Mei..very well said and your grammar is impeccable!! it’s not every day you see that in comment boxes
in any case, i’m very nervous about this whole thing, i don’t know what to believe right now or who’s going to happen, what’s going on, it’s very scary
**WHAT’S going to happen
LOL great article.
These boys are beat though.
I can’t seem them winning any suit in court.
Do we consider them brave for taking on and entertainment titan,
or dumb for biting off a hell of a lot more then they can chew.
I smell a blacklisting…
Post Script: The whole money thing can go either way. It is true they have only made roughly 2.5 million each over the past for years (i’m incorporating endorsements) but take into consideration that the music industry worldwide is nothing like it was 8 years ago. Also take into consideration p2p, torrenting, just general pirating. The amount of fans the boys have is not relevant. It’s the amount of albums they’ve actually sold to said fans.
This should not be about money (which is what people are very caught up on) this should be about contracts. If they take SM to court over royalties, DBSK will get wrecked because a contract is a contract. If they take SM to court over mistreatment and a ridiculous contract they have a shot.
I’m surprised no one fainted yet. DBSK deserves more than SM. I wonder if this is why DBSK doesn’t get to appear much in Korean Variety shows.
“SM: Happy Share Company? Only one of you can join. No money in that. REJECT!”
At this time I am envious of Big Bang cuz it seems they are treated better. DBSK fighting!!! Don’t give up!
At this time I wished I wanted to become a lawyer like all Asian family wants their child to be. I would help with DBSK’s case for free. (Background – Mom: Say what!)
@itsme….both boa and kangta were basically handed over large and i mean LARGE shares of the company as well as restructuring of contracts. Boa is a solo artist…and the princess of asia. it’s easier and more cost efficient to make her happy. ESPECIALLY at a time when the company itself was sinking and fast. kangta…dunno the deal with him. mystery man. might have something to do with all the music he wrote and produced with them afterwards. he had a job lined up. *shrug*
LOL weren’t EVERYONE “greedy” for fame, that’s why there are TONS of trainees in every freaking company? this kind of case occurs every now and then. remember Park Hyo Shin? and other artists from small companies?
my point is, there’ll be NO PROBLEM for a company and his artists if both sides are in a good terms. but SM’s never been known for being nice. they’re like the only “big” company whose artists always left and sue them, go figure LOL
i really hope this case can be settled soon.
i love dbsk……pout..sigh…pout ope they’ll be okay
Never bite the hand that feeds you..SM is a fucking ass, wtf they are the most popular group in asia yet, my doctor sister makes more then them…freaking the tiniest stars in america makes more than them and work less than them geeZ
SM is stupid.
@ Mei – the fact that their work is extremely hard (and I agree, it’s probably harder than mine) is the reason why I wrote first phrase – every man should be paid proportionally to what he is doing. They should receive more for their work.
As about FOR HOW LONG TIME they should work in “SLAVERY” – they sold themselves by their own desire. They “chained” themselves by their own. They worked hard as trainees – they could not think it will be better after debute. That’s my point – it’s their own fault, so they should stop crying. Human being can work like they do, it’s not impossible. But they should be paid for it ACCORDINGLY, that’s true.
@KalexiS: I’ve been copying and pasting this everywhere but here goes …
THSK’s DVD and CD sales made AVEX 261 million USD from just December last year to June this year. They were the 8th highest earners in the Jpop industry over that 6 month period. So why are they only earning around 300k per year each on the average? Even if the record industry as a whole hasn’t been doing so well, THSK’s definitely been selling well thanks to fans.
It’s also clear that both SM and AVEX have been pocketing a lot more than 90% of the revenue because that 261 mil. doesn’t include earnings from ticket sales to the SMTOWN, Mirotic and TSC tours that THSK did during that period. And while IDK about the Kpop industry, it does seem to me that tours are the largest source of income for a lot of Jpop acts.
@Xenia
I agree that it’s not simple to jump to the conclusion that SM is evil. Everyone deserves the chance to protect his or her interests. SM does, and so do the boys of DBSK.
I also agree that people should live by the consequences of their own actions. However, I don’t think that equates to inaction. By bringing the case around legally, it is in a way dealing with the consequences, because the financial and media stress, as well as the time and effort, would not be there if the boys had made different choices during their career paths. I don’t think this equates to “crying”.
As for who’s fault it is, I really dislike placing fault on anyone. I’d like to remind you though that at the time of their debut, these boys were quite young, and not of an age where they can take responsibility for their choices and actions. If juvenile delinquents in the US can get their records wiped clean, then why can’t the Dong Bang boys re-negotiate the terms of their contract now that they’re older, wiser, more aware of their priorities, and have significantly more leverage?
I don’t want to make a big deal out of the financial situation. After all, while SM may not pay them a lot, they do pay FOR them a lot. I don’t think this suit is over money, but over flexibility. There are lots of things in the world that aren’t implemented right the first time around : public buildings, city planning, presidential elections, laws, etc. Thus, we like having the flexibility of adjusting them according to experience rather that preconceived notions. Thus, I don’t think it’s wrong for the boys to re-adjust their terms legally and according to their experience, rather than rely on the preconceived notions of their debut.
So I’d like to remind everyone that no one is at fault here. Say what you will about the “slavery” within SM or the “ambition” of DBSK, neither the company nor the Dong Bang boys have violated the terms of the contract. So, no one is to blame. What is going on, despite the stigma associated with lawsuits, is a perfectly normal, legal and acceptable course of action, in which two parties that have conflicts of interest come together to negotiate their differences, and perhaps heed the objective opinion of a third party who arbiters between them. Nothing wrong with that.
I’m simply rooting for DBSK just cause of how much I distrust SM.
@JJ
But SUJU’s been on Happy Shares. I’m pretty sure Heechul, Eunhyuk and Kangin have been on. I mean yeah, its another group but its still an SM group..
It sucks how much SM has twisted the story. I mean, the basics of what they’re saying are right but they leave out the finer details that are important.
Well, I guess we’ll have to see how this all ends up…
LOL it’s kinda funny how you talk like you know it all.
you don’t know what you’re talking about, you’re not in their shoes.
i’ll keep it short, i’m also as clueless as the others, so i won’t talk like i have better understanding than everyone else and end up sounding like a total snob. okay, it’s not that short.
anyway, the point is, i believe both of them deserves the blamings BUT i don’t know how the heck you considered their act as “crying” LMAO enlighten me, please…
SM Entertainment has had disputes with the artists under their management before, and seeing how history is repeating itself just goes to show there is something wrong with the company.
I used to worship SM Ent and their idols, and that I’ve paid a close attention to the very company. And I have to say, there are many things left unsaid about it. They really know how to cover up their wrongs and negatives.
Uhhhhhhh. Both sides are running smear campaigns, who the hell knows what’s true and what’s not. Just tell me when it’s over, cause I’m done.
I just read briefly:
@KalexiS: that’s what they demand basically. A revised to their current contract. They do not demand money (or compensation) but they demand revised and their accounting book.
–
Does SM being in red have anything to do with DBSK income? DBSK doesn’t own the company, they don’t have a reason to pay for all company expenses
@ Mei and Sonia: Well said. I think that if SM only gave more flexibility AND A MORE REASONABLE contract for TVXQ, it wouldn’t be a problem. I hope this would pave the way for the other SM artists too. WHAT THE HELL DID THEY DO TO TSZX?!
You’re one sick 9-girls-group fan.
Go read all your replies and you’ll know why.
(Or maybe you never will. Idol passes their traits to fan in a way).
Don’t even bother comparing your job and theirs because, reality check, have you even go to Korea-Japan back and forth almost every other day?
Does your job involve 108320830480329808130482038023830 dance routines (which are obviously more than just… grueling and laborious) to be practiced every single awake hour?
A friendly reminder.
Don’t even bother clicking any pages of DBSK, because many people are actually concerned about them and reading your comments is not helping at all.
TYSM.
Lee Soo Man is KNOWN to be a crook and power/money hungry. The fact that SM Ent. does so well really bothers me – because I believe everyone under his wing deserves much better. He eats up Boa’s profits as well and works her to the ground. People who want to break into the entertainment industry really need to do their research about the company they want to sign under. Just because SM is famous; doesn’t mean it’s the best.
@Xenia
First, I don’t think that they or other artists in Korea ever thought that things would get easier after they debuted. Have you seen how hard their entertainers work? As trainees without schedules they were already working hard so I think they knew that as artists with schedules it would be even harder.
You’re right; it was their choice to sign with SM and now it’s their choice to try to make things better for themselves.
In this day and age where there are laws against slave labor why should they just sit back and do nothing. Just because things have been a certain way doesn’t mean it should stay a certain way. If the situation isn’t right or just or humane then it should be changed.
Just imagine all the things that changed in this world because there were people who were willing to fight for it. So, I don’t think they are “crying” about it. They are doing something about it. When you say “they should stop crying” you are basically saying they should just lie down and continue to be walked on by SM.
Yes people can and do work in unfair conditions and for unfair wages, but why should they have to? The boys have a right to voice their concerns just like you or I do if we do not agree with something. All they are doing is asking to be treated fairly and like human beings. I don’t see it as “crying”. I see it as standing up for your rights. Change can only happen when there are people brave enough to stand up to giants like SM. And in the end, others may also benefit from their brave fight.
just,,,,quit…
dbsk is over..so what..???
their human,,,,,they earn enough already,,,
just quit … give the younger a chance…
quit,,,and live ur life with family + friend….and no work..
i think $ 2.000.000 that u guys earn / person (not include advertised etc)
is more than enough..