2014 has been a very bad year for SM Entertainment. It started off with Kris filing for a lawsuit to leave SM Entertainment. Next comes Baekhyun and his scandal with Taeyeon from SNSD. Then comes Sulli leaving fx. Followed by Jessica's denial of joining Girl's Generation and their promotions. Lastly, Luhan filed for a lawsuit to nullify his contract with SM Entertainment. All of this happen within a year and I have difficulty thinking of who to side with.
Initially when Kris left EXO and SM, I wasn't surprised by the news. After all, from various variety shows, I could tell he wasn't really mingling well with the members. So at that time, when he left SM and didn't leave much explanation, I sort of stood on the grey area. Siding with none. I had thought it takes both hands to clap. So both have things they did wrong.
Afterwards came Sulli which was an abrupt and shocking news cause no concrete reason was given to reassure fans of why she left. And since it was a news that was quickly hushed over, I didn't really pay attention and fought hard to seek the truth.
Recently, Jessica was asked/told/forced to leave Girl's Generation. Initially I heard she was to leave Girl's Generation but would still be within SM Entertainment. When I heard this, I thought it sound reasonable cause she was probably being arranged to go solo. However, Jessica herself revealed that she was forced out of Girl's Generation just because of her own career out of SM. yet, SM revealed news to attack Jessica and sort of accused her for not contributing much to Girl's Generation cause of her own career. Wow! So much drama there! So who is speaking the truth. So much news came tumbling out about SM, Jessica as well as her boyfriend. Before this news was given a conclusion, Luhan dropped another bomb and the stock prices of SM dropped.
Of the remaining Chinese members in EXO (Lay, Luhan and Tao) I thought that Lay would most likely be the next one to leave cause he also doesn't seem to mingle well with the rest of the members. Also, Luhan is really close to XiuMin and he seems to be able to blend in really well with Kyungsoo and Sehun. Tao on the other hand has leader, Suho, and Sehun who are close to him. Yet there are news where the last 2 Chinese members may leave EXO and return to China to form a boy group with Kris and Luhan. With their popularity in China, I won't be surprised if such rumours turn out to be true. After all, when there's smoke there's bound to be fire somewhere.
When Kris left EXO and he used the same lawyer as Hangeng, my Mum already suspected that there may be bigger players who are pulling the strings from China. Hence the Chinese members would have the audacity to file for lawsuit. After all where does the money for the lawsuit come from? And where did they get the courage to go against SM, such a huge empire? It sounds pretty logical for me.
As for SM, I believe there's lots more reasons from within cause it seems they always have troubles with members. I see none from the other companies. SM never seem to learn their lessons from past mistakes. TVXQ and Super Junior were a huge loss for them. They should have learned to treat artistes with respect and more from them.
The rate at how EXO is working is seen by all. After each concert, without resting, they move on to the next place to meet their fans. I understood their pain and felt really bad for them cause they seem to spend more time on the plane then on their beds. I always read news of them appearing here and there to meet fans or hold concert. Because of their hardships and the immense work they put in to appear happy, I became their fan.
Among all this fiasco, I think Red Velvet debut at the wrong timing, there are too many scandals and bad news that override them. It's really a bad timing.
With all this fiasco that's going on, I wish Luhan all the best with his departure. I wish the remaining EXO members all the best as well. As for SM, I hope they can learn their lessons.
