Dear SME...
Dear SM Entertainment,
I do believe that you think you are so very clever, and that no one will figure you out. I am here to inform you (not that you will ever read this or have any idea how to communicate in English for that matter if the songs coming out of you are any indication) that your empire is crumbling. See there is a problem with lies and coersion, eventually they all crumble. Eventually you will be caught, and there isn't a chance that I am the only person in the world that has put two and two together only to figure out that it equals four...
See I thought it was a little strange that SHINee was suddenly brought back to Korea and their comeback rushed. It seemed a little bit OOC for a comapany that likes to tease ALOT (20+ teasers for EXO anyone?), but I went with it. I mean it has been a long time since they have been in Korean and maybe it was the only break they had in an otherwise busy Japanese schedule. Alright fine I'll buy it (but please don't get me started on the outfits, the choreography or the song). You want to give fans a treat, fine.
However they no sooner come back and finally, after 100 days of teasing, you announce that EXO will debut. Really? Now? Okay I know the 100 day thing is huge to Korean culture. I get that. But you are going to debut your new group when one of your largest groups is currently promoting? Who does that? I mean it is one thing to put two established groups out that do a different style of music (Miss A and 2AM) but quite another to put two out with the same style and one of which that hasn't even yet debuted. I was under the impression that when a new group debuted you didn't want anything to take away from them. Sure SHINee will be on week three of promotions, but they are likely just starting their award winning. What could possibly make this make any sort of sense? Anyone? Has SME totally lost the few marbles they had left?
While mulling all of this over and wondering if this is a last ditch effort of some sort to save that which is crumbling, I stumbled upon something. Someone else came back this week. Someone who has the power to make waves in the music scene. Someone else who can prove that not only could their be life for groups out of the army, but life for groups after breaking from the company that gave them birth (which they have already proven). Someone who is dangerous to an already crumbling empire with people who have already been suing to get out. Shinhwa is back.
Now some may be say, "oh that is just a coincidence, there is no chance that could be true. It just happened to be at the same time." Did it? I don't believe in coincidences. Not in a world of business where people try as hard as they possibly can to control every aspect of their world. See we fans knew a comeback was coming since before the new year. If we, those of us not even in the country were aware it was going to happen then, SME knew even more. If there is one thing money can easily buy it is information. I'm willing to bet that as soon as Shinhwa decided a date, SME knew.
Still it takes motivation to work against someone like this. What motivation did SME have? Well we know for a fact that when their contracts ended, SME offered to sign only two of the members and they refused, breaking from the company and signing with another. Shinhwa then went to court to gain the rights to their name, which they clearly won. Not only did they break away, but they were successful at it as well, winning 20 awards in the time after leaving SME and achieving multiple other things. Just that would be enough to make a normal person a bit irritated. I mean who wants to see something you made turn you down and then continue to make it big without you (they won more awards in 2004, the first year under a new company, than any other year of their career)?
So SME is likely hurt over that and grouchy, but in light of recent events, what would only be an irritation is suddenly very very dangerous. In the recent years, not one, but 4 artists have sued and gained freedom from their company. Clearly something is wrong enough that they desire to be free. A companies biggest threat is "you will be nothing without me" and that holds great power. For most of the idols the feeling of standing on stage, doing what they love, and hearing fans scream their name is greater than anything that could be negative about their job. Great enough that they will suffer an awful lot in order to be able to do what they love.
If Shinhwa makes big now, they make a statement that SME will have trouble contradicting. They will directly be telling older groups like Super Junior, a strong group in its own right, "you can break from your company, go to the army, and come back still with success" effectively deflating SMEs biggest hold on it's artists. There is nothing with more power to it than hope and give a person hope that maybe, just maybe they can keep everything they have and be free, that is dangerous.
So SME had to do everything in its power to make certain that doesn't happen. Phase A, bring in the group that will make the biggest wave. SHINee has been out of the Kpop scene for a while, their comeback will be big news (lets face it DBSK isn't doing as well as they were with 5 and wouldn't make the same waves). So they bring them back. Tying things like a big name choreographer onto their comeback. They appear again and do well in their first week. Phase A complete.
But that won't be enough since to work properly they need someone to steal the limelight before and after. SHINee comes before time for something after. Cue Phase B, the new highly anticipated (because they have been teasing to the ends of the earth and back) boy group EXO. Their very existence as two separate wholes (something I think is bound to back fire but that is a discussion for another time) is something never tried. SME is clearly pouring tons of money into them (come on what brand new group gets all those sets and CG when they haven't really made all that much money yet). They are going to come with a storm that SME hopes to overshadow Shinwha and turn peoples attention somewhere else.
As much as I hate it, I must say it is brilliant. Who is a young person going to look more towards? The older men that they don't really remember all that much that their older siblings or moms like, or the new young starts that are over promoted and money is clearly poured into? The answer is pretty clear in my mind, unfortunately.
So kudos to you SME. I have to admit that you are pretty smart. This is a very effect strategy and a lot easier to get away with then telling the stations not to play Shinhwa and trying to force their hands. I hope it blows up in your face.
Let me tell you something that you may not have realized SME, SHINee is a monster of your own making. They grew in this industry with hyungs surrounding them and helping them. They grew into the group you created them to be, a unit, a family. You are treating them exactly as you treated DBSK, hoping they will make it big in Japan and make you lots of money. Don't forget SME, that the little kitten you gave birth to has grown up and now has claws and fangs.
So go ahead SME. Push them to the point of exhaustion. Make them press on when sick. Overload their minds and bodies with schedules. Seclude them in a foreign country where you hope they will make it big. Have a time of it, but know this:
When they have had enough, and if you keep pushing they will come to the point that they do, they will fight back. This time it won't be one member suing to get free. This time it won't be three breaking off and crying injustice. Keep pushing SME, because one day you will push to far and they will attack as a unit. Then your empire will come crumbling down.
Go ahead. Pat yourself on the back. Think you've done well for another day. Just know, that in ten years, I don't expect to see you as a player in the industry anymore, if I see you in existence at all.
No love,
Your Once Very Impressed Fan
P.S. I hope Shinhwa gives you the finger and steals the charts anyway.
[Feel free to comment and discuss whether you agree or disagree just please remain respectful.]
I do believe that you think you are so very clever, and that no one will figure you out. I am here to inform you (not that you will ever read this or have any idea how to communicate in English for that matter if the songs coming out of you are any indication) that your empire is crumbling. See there is a problem with lies and coersion, eventually they all crumble. Eventually you will be caught, and there isn't a chance that I am the only person in the world that has put two and two together only to figure out that it equals four...
See I thought it was a little strange that SHINee was suddenly brought back to Korea and their comeback rushed. It seemed a little bit OOC for a comapany that likes to tease ALOT (20+ teasers for EXO anyone?), but I went with it. I mean it has been a long time since they have been in Korean and maybe it was the only break they had in an otherwise busy Japanese schedule. Alright fine I'll buy it (but please don't get me started on the outfits, the choreography or the song). You want to give fans a treat, fine.
However they no sooner come back and finally, after 100 days of teasing, you announce that EXO will debut. Really? Now? Okay I know the 100 day thing is huge to Korean culture. I get that. But you are going to debut your new group when one of your largest groups is currently promoting? Who does that? I mean it is one thing to put two established groups out that do a different style of music (Miss A and 2AM) but quite another to put two out with the same style and one of which that hasn't even yet debuted. I was under the impression that when a new group debuted you didn't want anything to take away from them. Sure SHINee will be on week three of promotions, but they are likely just starting their award winning. What could possibly make this make any sort of sense? Anyone? Has SME totally lost the few marbles they had left?
While mulling all of this over and wondering if this is a last ditch effort of some sort to save that which is crumbling, I stumbled upon something. Someone else came back this week. Someone who has the power to make waves in the music scene. Someone else who can prove that not only could their be life for groups out of the army, but life for groups after breaking from the company that gave them birth (which they have already proven). Someone who is dangerous to an already crumbling empire with people who have already been suing to get out. Shinhwa is back.
Now some may be say, "oh that is just a coincidence, there is no chance that could be true. It just happened to be at the same time." Did it? I don't believe in coincidences. Not in a world of business where people try as hard as they possibly can to control every aspect of their world. See we fans knew a comeback was coming since before the new year. If we, those of us not even in the country were aware it was going to happen then, SME knew even more. If there is one thing money can easily buy it is information. I'm willing to bet that as soon as Shinhwa decided a date, SME knew.
Still it takes motivation to work against someone like this. What motivation did SME have? Well we know for a fact that when their contracts ended, SME offered to sign only two of the members and they refused, breaking from the company and signing with another. Shinhwa then went to court to gain the rights to their name, which they clearly won. Not only did they break away, but they were successful at it as well, winning 20 awards in the time after leaving SME and achieving multiple other things. Just that would be enough to make a normal person a bit irritated. I mean who wants to see something you made turn you down and then continue to make it big without you (they won more awards in 2004, the first year under a new company, than any other year of their career)?
So SME is likely hurt over that and grouchy, but in light of recent events, what would only be an irritation is suddenly very very dangerous. In the recent years, not one, but 4 artists have sued and gained freedom from their company. Clearly something is wrong enough that they desire to be free. A companies biggest threat is "you will be nothing without me" and that holds great power. For most of the idols the feeling of standing on stage, doing what they love, and hearing fans scream their name is greater than anything that could be negative about their job. Great enough that they will suffer an awful lot in order to be able to do what they love.
If Shinhwa makes big now, they make a statement that SME will have trouble contradicting. They will directly be telling older groups like Super Junior, a strong group in its own right, "you can break from your company, go to the army, and come back still with success" effectively deflating SMEs biggest hold on it's artists. There is nothing with more power to it than hope and give a person hope that maybe, just maybe they can keep everything they have and be free, that is dangerous.
So SME had to do everything in its power to make certain that doesn't happen. Phase A, bring in the group that will make the biggest wave. SHINee has been out of the Kpop scene for a while, their comeback will be big news (lets face it DBSK isn't doing as well as they were with 5 and wouldn't make the same waves). So they bring them back. Tying things like a big name choreographer onto their comeback. They appear again and do well in their first week. Phase A complete.
But that won't be enough since to work properly they need someone to steal the limelight before and after. SHINee comes before time for something after. Cue Phase B, the new highly anticipated (because they have been teasing to the ends of the earth and back) boy group EXO. Their very existence as two separate wholes (something I think is bound to back fire but that is a discussion for another time) is something never tried. SME is clearly pouring tons of money into them (come on what brand new group gets all those sets and CG when they haven't really made all that much money yet). They are going to come with a storm that SME hopes to overshadow Shinwha and turn peoples attention somewhere else.
As much as I hate it, I must say it is brilliant. Who is a young person going to look more towards? The older men that they don't really remember all that much that their older siblings or moms like, or the new young starts that are over promoted and money is clearly poured into? The answer is pretty clear in my mind, unfortunately.
So kudos to you SME. I have to admit that you are pretty smart. This is a very effect strategy and a lot easier to get away with then telling the stations not to play Shinhwa and trying to force their hands. I hope it blows up in your face.
Let me tell you something that you may not have realized SME, SHINee is a monster of your own making. They grew in this industry with hyungs surrounding them and helping them. They grew into the group you created them to be, a unit, a family. You are treating them exactly as you treated DBSK, hoping they will make it big in Japan and make you lots of money. Don't forget SME, that the little kitten you gave birth to has grown up and now has claws and fangs.
So go ahead SME. Push them to the point of exhaustion. Make them press on when sick. Overload their minds and bodies with schedules. Seclude them in a foreign country where you hope they will make it big. Have a time of it, but know this:
When they have had enough, and if you keep pushing they will come to the point that they do, they will fight back. This time it won't be one member suing to get free. This time it won't be three breaking off and crying injustice. Keep pushing SME, because one day you will push to far and they will attack as a unit. Then your empire will come crumbling down.
Go ahead. Pat yourself on the back. Think you've done well for another day. Just know, that in ten years, I don't expect to see you as a player in the industry anymore, if I see you in existence at all.
No love,
Your Once Very Impressed Fan
P.S. I hope Shinhwa gives you the finger and steals the charts anyway.
[Feel free to comment and discuss whether you agree or disagree just please remain respectful.]