110801 Why Did C-JeS Decline An Appearance On A ‘JYJ Special Program’?

‘Lee Giho’s Police Cop’ of the internet broadcasting program Radio21, which became a hot topic for giving birth to the new word ‘SoTamJaeShil(To desire Girls’ Generation and lose JYJ in the process)’, has been receiving great support from its listeners.

Last weekend, Enterpost met with a representative of the program to listen to the interesting behind-the-scenes stories. Apparently, the special program was not on the schedule; it was made and added to the schedule in a rush when Reporter Lee Giho, who has been keeping an eye on the JYJ issue, proposed its creation after coming to the conclusion that ‘Unjust forces have been applied on this issue’ when KBS suddenly cancelled JYJ’s appearance on the ‘Jeju’s 7 Natural Wonders of the World nomination commemoration program’.

As if it were taking its aim at KBS’s special program, the radio show took place for two hours from 4pm. It was scheduled so for strategic purposes, pacifying the anger of JYJ’s fans, who would have otherwise had to watch as girl groups with hot pants stood on the stage that their singers deserved to stand on.

There were some interesting behind-the-scenes stories regarding the casting of the participants. The first guest the program’s representatives attempted to reach was of course, ‘a JYJ representative’. This is because they were the victims most affected by KBS’ ‘brutality’.

When the program’s representative contacted C-JeS Entertainment, which acts as JYJ’s management agency, C-JeS expressed that it didn’t wish to appear on the program. They explained that though they agreed with the object of the program, there was a chance that their appearance on the program to reveal their stance may become an emotional battle. C-JeS turned down the offer and said, “We are cautious about appearing on the program as our actions may be interpreted as a ‘counterattack’. If we were to take action in such a way, what would make us so different from them(It’s easy for anyone to guess who ‘them’ are^^-editor)?”

And their final words moved the program’s representative greatly. “Though JYJ were not able to appear on KBS’ special program, they are still honorary ambassadors of Jeju’s 7 Natural Wonders of the World nomination. JYJ will continue to work hard to promote Jeju’s 7 Natural Wonders of the World nomination.”

Though a guest appearance by a representative of C-JeS didn’t occur, Radio21 was able to see their sincerity and instead met with Department Head Lee Jae Eun from Prain, the PR company of JYJ.

But even Lee Jae Eun confessed that she was experiencing a great amount of pressure from her appearance on the program. Though it was an interview that was conducted over the phone, the fact that the conversation was broadcasted live must have been pressure beyond one’s imagination. However, regardless of this pressure, Lee Jae Eun decided to appear on the program with the responsibility to correctly state the facts and process beneath the surface of the the issue for the listeners. She revealed many facts about the issue that had not been known before.

Though she was extremely busy, having stayed up the night before to monitor the last episode of Park Yoochun’s drama ‘Miss Ripley’ and to put the finishing touches on her work, Department Head Lee did her best to present the needed information and facts in a concise way.

The end product was a program that uncovered the hidden stories of a raging controversy that received an explosive response from netizens and fans alike. The public, not only fans of JYJ, was able to know the correct information behind the current issue that surrounds JYJ.

Meanwhile, C-JeS Entertainment has already reported KBS Jeju to the Fair Trade Commission for JYJ’s performance cancellation. But regardless of the outcome, KBS’ rash decision has lost the broadcasting company its moral image and trust. Will KBS ever be able to salvage its demolished image?

Source: [enterpost]
Translated & Shared by: dongbangdata.net

110729 KBS’ Explanation, Why Can’t They Just Say It Was Because Of SM!

KBS released an explanation on the 28th regarding JYJ’s Jeju performance cancellation that has been called a national disgrace. It’s called an ‘explanation’, but it’s really nothing but a pathetic excuse that makes one’s face blush in embarrassment. If this was the kind of excuse that they were planning to release, then they really didn’t need to wait a whole week to release it. If they were going to repeat a unilateral statement that doesn’t give a proper answer to the question at hand, then they didn’t really have to release an official explanation at all.

Especially, the fact that they keep emphasizing, “JYJ’s appearance was cancelled based on a judgment by the production crew,” makes the suspicion grow that it wasn’t the production crew’s judgment at all. They say that they’ve emphasized the fact that, “The decision to allow people to appear on shows is solely up to the respective PD of that program and the decision is made based on which people will be more effective for the completion of the program,” but this seems to be nothing but cliché words that make up a lame excuse. It will be hard to find someone who will agree with a statement that merely beats around the bush.

Even if they do repeat a statement over and over again, the least they could have done is touch upon the issue that JYJ’s representatives brought up. The most important issue between the JYJ and KBS Jeju controversy is the part, “The broadcasting of the program may be impossible if JYJ appear.” This seems to contradict the statement made that it is the respective PD’s right to make the decisions. This is why many of JYJ’s representatives and fans believe that SM’s influence affected the outcome.

There is a crucial element that makes KBS’ explanation lose its persuasive power. The decision to have Girls’ Generation’s appear does not explain why JYJ were pulled out. As the decision that Girls’ Generation would be more effective than JYJ is one that is subjective to the PD and therefore can be accepted, Girls’ Generation weren’t the only singers to perform on stage, only proving the existence of external pressure from SM as there was no need to remove JYJ from the program because Girls’ Generation were appearing. The whole explanation by KBS is nothing but a lame excuse that replaces the simple statement that is was SM’s doing.

Also, if someone had to be removed from the list because of time restrictions, there must have been a team of real low awareness that could have been taken out instead of JYJ. Even if KBS were put in a situation of having to choose, it was illogical for them to remove the honorary ambassadors. KBS still haven’t answered the question as it to why it had to be JYJ; as they say, silence is a confirmation.

For Girls’ Generation who stood on stage and for JYJ who couldn’t stand on stage, it was an awkward performance. Though it was a grand performance that was prepared on the fields of Jeju, it was found that the atmosphere on location was chilly. It wasn’t a stage that Girls’ Generation, though forerunners of the new Hallyu Wave they may be, was supposed to stand on as replacements. The Jeju performance, which was supposed to promote the nomination of Jeju as one of the new 7 Natural Wonders of the World, has been left as nothing but a controversy. JYJ’s representatives have revealed that they have already reported KBS Jeju to the Fair Trade Commission, meaning that the event that was supposed to be a memorable celebration became nothing but a ruined affair.

As a result of the cue sheet that was suddenly changed four days before the concert, KBS Jeju succeeded in ensuring that their program would be broadcasted, but the atmosphere in the crowd was so chilly that it was embarrassing to catch on camera. Even though Girls’ Generation’s popularity shoots to the sky, it isn’t easy to amass a large number of fans with a sudden schedule change, especially due to the geographic location of the island. Also, the attitude and actions of the broadcasting company dropped the anticipation of the performance drastically.

Whether it was because of SM’s external pressure, or whether it was because of the production PD’s individual decision, all that matters is that the event did not live up to what it had strived to do. Though these unreasonable actions may work in the backyard of the entertainment industry, they aren’t enough to convince the public. This is the reason why the voice of criticism isn’t coming just from fans of JYJ. If KBS or SM believe that the movement against them in this issue is merely that of a fandom, then they are sorely mistaken. Before KBS explains for makes excuses, they must understand the popular sentiment that lies behind the JYJ issue.

Source: [Mediaus]
Translated & Shared by: dongbangdata.net

110729 JYJ’s Representative States, “KBS’s Explanation Did Not Answer Our Questions At All”

A representative of Prain, the company in charge of JYJ’s PR, made a statement regarding KBS’s explanation as to why JYJ’s appearance on a KBS program was cancelled.

This representative stated, “KBS’s explanation did not answer a single question that JYJ’s representatives made,” and “What JYJ’s representatives called for was the reason why JYJ’s appearance was suddenly cancelled.” He continued to add, “We believe that JYJ, who were already promoting the cause as honorary ambassadors, could have appeared on the program as planned, regardless of Girls’ Generation and f(x)’s appearances. Other honorary ambassadors who were promised an appearance performed as planned, so we do not know why only JYJ were given a notification of cancellation.“

JYJ were scheduled to appear on the KBS special program ‘Challenge! 7 Natural Wonders of the World, This is Jeju’ as honorary ambassadors to the island’s nomination but were given a notification of cancellation by KBS four days before the performance. To this, JYJ’s representatives stated in an official statement that, “We have reported this case to the Fair Trade Commission and will carry out a lawsuit against the obstructions made against JYJ’s independent activities.”

On the 28th, KBS stated in their viewers’ thread that, “We received a call of confirmation from Girls’ Generation and f(x), who were on our list of celebrities to cast in the performance, saying that they would be able to perform,” and “As Girls’ Generation and f(x) have already spread out globally, even to Europe, we decided that their appearance would be more effective in promoting Jeju, which is in the running to be one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, to the world(broadcasting live to 72 countries through KBS World).”

The Prain representative stated, “We do not wish to cause a conflict with KBS because of this issue,” and “However, we will wait for the verdict from the Fair Trade Commission regarding this issue and we hope that such illogical events will not occur again in the future.”

Source: [10 asiae]
Translated & Shared by: dongbangdata.net

C-JeS’s official announcement regarding Jeju (Full Trans, C-JeS will take legal action)

Hello

This is C-JeS Entertainment.

We are announcing our stance on KBS’s one-sided cancellation notification of JYJ’s appearance in KBS Jeju N7W Special Promotional Program.

Mid-April, through a phone call with the Jeju provincial government, we received their wish to appoint JYJ as an honorary ambassador to promoting Jeju’s selection in New 7 Wonders. The date in which we officially received the roles of an honorary ambassador and their reason for selecting JYJ through e-mail was April 26th.

However, it is customary for honorary ambassadors to begin their promotional activities after being appointed through an appointment ceremony and official press statements are released. Because the time in which we received the offer was during JYJ’s World Tour, we first politely declined their initial offer because we would be unable to hold an appointment ceremony.

However, the local government of Jeju-do stated that they were preparing a special broadcast program in July and that because they are preparing an appointment ceremony to be held then, they proposed that JYJ begin their promotional activities [before the ceremony] since they urgently needed publicity. JYJ, as Korea’s artist, accepted the position of honorary ambassador with responsibility in letting the world know of the domestic brand and Jeju’s 7 Wonders.

On May 4th, the Jeju local government notified the appointment of new honorary ambassadors through the press and [JYJ] officially began their promotional activities. JYJ, who was at the time holding their world tour, promoted Jeju Island and actively cooperated by filming videos encouraging on-line and phone voting as honorary ambassadors. Furthermore, last May, Jeju local government sent us a thank you mail stating that Jeju N7W were being publicized nationwide thanks to JYJ. In addition, the special broadcast program was decided to be held on July 20th, and JYJ was supposed to perform two songs and be officially appointed as honorary ambassadors.

However, on July 16th, 4 days before the concert, we received sudden one-sided notification that our appearance on television has been canceled.  The reason was, “if JYJ appears, the program itself may not air,” a final notification without specific explanation. Today, although KBS claimed to have apologized to JYJ, we have only received one-sided cancellation and never an apology with official explanation.

We believe the broadcasting networks have the right to decide on the people that appear for the sake of their program. However, as this program was a special program wishing for Jeju’s appointment as the New 7 Wonders, and since JYJ has been selected as the official honorary ambassadors and have been holding promotional activities for three months, we insist on an official position from Jeju government and KBS regarding this one-sided cancellation notice.

Furthermore, C-JeS Entertainment will report the organizer, who has one-sidedly (without previous consultation with the artist) sent us a cancellation notice 4 days before the performance to the Fair Trade Commission, and will take legal action against this incident where the party promised JYJ a special broadcast program on their appointment ceremony, but deceived the artist by one-sidedly cancelling their appointment ceremony after using them for promotional activities.

Finally, JYJ’s current lawsuit is a civil suit regarding unfair contract with their previous management company, and is in reality, a weak artist’s fight against the unjust nature of exclusive contract, and thus is not a lawsuit which causes social problems or has moral issues. Furthermore, the courts have already decided that while this lawsuit is undergoing, JYJ has the right to resume their activities as free artists.

Most importantly, we apologize to JYJ fans who have received great shock through this unacceptable situation, and regardless of this situation, JYJ will continue to support promoting Jeju’s N7W as Korean citizens.

Thank You.

*****

The original announcement can be found here (in Kor)

Please give proper credits when moving/taking this post

translation credit: withjyj

110613 “The Official Notice Regulating JYJ’s Activities Violates The Fair Trade Laws”

Congresswoman Park Seon Suk of the National Party has called for the Fair Trade Commission’s active role in investigating unjust trade acts in the entertainment industry.

At a National Assembly conference held on the 13th, Congresswoman Park brought up the topic of the Korean Federation of Pop Culture and Arts Industry(KFPCAI)’s official notice that asked entertainment agencies and broadcasting companies to refrain from providing JYJ with activities. She called for an investigation to determine whether or not this official notice violates the Fair Trade Laws.

JYJ is a three-member group of Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun and Kim Junsu, all from TVXQ.

Congresswoman Park Seon Suk stated, “There have only been two instances in which the FTC called for an order of rectification in the entertainment industry in the last five years,” and “Both instances involved the domestic entertainment agency SM Entertainment.“

She continued to state, “It is not that I doubt the competitive edge that the Hallyu Wave has as it has even spread past Asia into Europe, but I believe that if the industry continues to be made of certain entertainment agencies using their superior position to take dominance over others, then the it will not last long.“

Congresswoman Park also stressed, “I ask that (the strengthening of the binding power of) the FTC’s model exclusive contract for the entertainment industry be examined as a legislation.” To this, Chairman Kim Dong Su stated, “It will be done.”

Source: [inews24]
Translated & Shared by: dongbangdata.net

110614 The Dark Side of South Korean Pop Music

South Korea’s pop industry is big business in Asia. As K-Pop sets its sights on Europe and the US, will this force a change in the way it treats its artists?

Selling singles is no way for a pop star to make money these days. Most artists find that touring and merchandise sales are more lucrative. So when it comes to concerts, size matters.

This is why the biggest date in the Korean pop calendar – the Dream Concert, at which up to 20 bands perform – is held in Seoul’s 66,800-seat World Cup Stadium.

Teenage crushes come here for a once-a-year date in a national love story, where commitment is measured in coloured balloons, and devotion is knowing all the words.

Most of the bands, like Super Junior and Wonder Girls, are household names; highly produced, sugary boy- and girl-bands with slick dance routines and catchy tunes.

But the industry also has a less glamorous side: a history of controversy and legal disputes over the way it treats its young artists, which it is still struggling to shake.

K-Pop is a massive industry: global sales were worth over $30m (£18m) in 2009, and that figure is likely to have doubled last year, according to a government website.

Industry leaders are also ambitious – Korean stars are beating a path to Japan, America and Europe. This month, South Korea’s biggest production company, SM Entertainment, held its first European concert in Paris, part of a year-long world tour.

In April, Korea’s king of pop, Rain, was voted the most influential person of the year by readers of Time magazine. And earlier this year, boy band Big Bang reached the top 10 album chart on US iTunes.

Korea is excited by what this new musical export could do for its image – and its economy.

But some of K-Pop’s biggest success stories were built on the back of so-called slave contracts, which tied its trainee-stars into long exclusive deals, with little control or financial reward. Dong Bang Shin Ki at Japan’s MTV award Dong Bang Shin Ki took their contract fight to court.

Two years ago, one of its most successful groups, Dong Bang Shin Ki, took its management company to court, on the grounds that their 13-year-contract was too long, too restrictive, and gave them almost none of the profits from their success.

The court came down on their side, and the ruling prompted the Fair Trade Commission to issue a “model contract” to try to improve the deal artists got from their management companies.

Industry insiders say the rising success of K-Pop abroad, and experience with foreign music companies, has also helped push for change.

“Until now, there hasn’t been much of a culture of hard negotiation in Asia, especially if you’re new to the industry,” says Sang-hyuk Im, an entertainment lawyer who represents both music companies and artists.

Attitudes are changing, he says, but there are some things that even new contracts and new attitudes cannot fix. South Korean girl band Rainbow rehearse at a studio in Seoul Rainbow’s singers put in the hours

Rainbow is a seven-member girl-band, each singer named after a different colour. If any group could lead to a pot of gold, you would think they would.

But Rainbow – currently in a seven-year contract with their management company, DSP – say that, despite working long hours for almost two years, their parents were “heartbroken” at how little they were getting paid.

A director for DSP says they do share profits with the group, but admits that after the company recoups its costs, there is sometimes little left for the performers.

K-Pop is expensive to produce. The groups are highly manufactured, and can require a team of managers, choreographers and wardrobe assistants, as well as years of singing lessons, dance training, accommodation and living expenses.

The bill can add up to several hundred thousand dollars. Depending on the group, some estimates say it is more like a million.

But music sales in South Korea alone do not recoup that investment. For all their passion, home-grown fans are not paying enough for K-Pop.

The CD industry is stagnant, and digital music sites are seen as vastly underpriced, with some charging just a few cents a song. South Korean girl band 4minute perform a concert in a mall in Manila, in the Philippines Girl band 4minute on tour in the Philippines

Bernie Cho, head of music distribution label DFSB Kollective, says online music sellers have dropped their prices too low in a bid to compete with pirated music sites.

“But how do you slice a fraction of a penny, and give that to the artist? You can’t do it,” he says.

With downward pressure on music prices at home, “many top artists make more money from one week in Japan than they do in one year in Korea”, Mr Cho says.

Company representatives say concerts and advertising bring in far more than music sales. “Overseas markets have been good to us,” says one spokesman. South Korean musicians need to perform on home turf, but “Japan is where all the money is”.

As acts start to make money overseas, he says this “broken business model” – underpricing – is creeping into their activities abroad.

A former policy director at South Korea’s main artists’ union, Moon Jae-gap, believes the industry will go through a major upheaval. “Because at the moment, it’s not sustainable,” he says.

Until that happens, he says, artists will continue to have difficulty making a living.

South Korea’s government is keen to promote its new international identity, one many hope could rival Japan’s cool cultural image.

The only question is whether the industry ends up more famous for its music, or for its problems.

source: bbc
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