Thursday, October 8, 2015

SM Entertainment by Rebekah Walton

{Written and Posted October 7, 2015}

Do not get me wrong, I do not believe everything is wrong with this company. I have recently read about their Trainees in Lay's book,''Standing Firm at 24''. But, I did not think previously that their life was that bad at SM while they were trainees. Obviously, if SM did do everything wrong, then no one would be in their company and no one would stay a trainee for very long. There are tons of other companies. But, I do believe SM has been making some wrong decisions.

 I don't even blame Lee Soo Man for these problems. Wu Yifan thanked the people at SM just recently even though he is suing the company, so, they must be doing some things right. I am not even sure we will ever figure out what is truly going on.

 There may be even some stuff that the idols do not know about that takes place behind the scenes. We know from the recent #YunJaeisback2015 that SM did not want them on the same stage. And we know, that SM has stopped people previously in their company from going on tv or certain shows. They even got recently sued by No Minwoo for this very thing.
http://www.soompi.com/2015/05/11/no-min-woo-sues-sm-entertainment-for-17-year-slave-contract-and-broadcast-ban-sm-responds/

http://www.soompi.com/2015/05/11/no-min-woos-reps-explain-why-he-decided-to-sue-sm-entertainment-now/

We know that SM allows Super Junior to do pretty much anything they feel like now,because members of Super Junior seem to hang out with Hangeng ex-superjunior member who previously sued the company. We know that we have not seen any of TVXQ and JYJ hanging out until the #YunJaeisback2015.

SM to a certain aspect has done some things wrong and I believe is still doing those same things wrong. It is hard to say exactly who is at fault in the company, so, I am not going to try to pin blame on certain people. What I believe is SM needs to shape up and get a hold on things or else they will lose more people to lawsuits. Maybe it is time for a new person to step up, or take over.

{Update: October 8, 2015}

Okay, SM I was trying to say that maybe you weren't the worst company out there. For instance, maybe you treat your artists better than TS, who had all of BAP sue them at the same time. (Now, BAP has gone back to TS, but that is a different story.) But, this statement made by Kim Young Min was just rude.

http://www.allkpop.com/article/2015/10/sm-ceo-implies-former-exo-members-kris-luhan-and-tao-are-selfish-for-pursuing-solo-careers

Not only did he say they were selfish but, he also said,''In the Asian market, and as Chinese-born artists, I wonder what honor they have. I think it's something to consider." (Talking about Kris, Luhan and Tao.) Nope, dude this is just plain rude. Honor is a huge deal, you don't just say that. Maybe, SM you need to consider a different CEO.
 *hint* *cough* Siwon  *cough**hint*

{Updated October 23,2015}

I have just recently watched fan cams for Lay's birthday party and I have been listening to his new songs. I am glad people are finally seeming to notice him in a good way and for the talent he has but hasn't been able to show us properly until now.

Please, SM, do not make him leave. Do not make the situation so bad that any more members have to leave. I want them to stay, but, if you do not change whatever it is you are exactly doing wrong more might leave. Please prove us fans wrong, and become the best company out there so everyone will stay not have to leave for health reasons. Give our idols what they want and what they need o keep them healthy. Give them rest in between large activities, and let them do a mix of solo and group activities. Please if not for the idols, then for us as fans.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Wu Yi Fan Left by Rebekah Walton



The reason why I wanted to leave this post to later is that I wanted to get all my facts straight. There was a lot of controversy over Wu Yifan (Kris) leaving Exo and a lot was unknown. It was originial thought that SM stole Exo's phones except Baekhyun's and made them unfollow Kris on Instagram. This has now been found to have no evidence later backing it up. To read the articles concerning Yifan suing SM, here are links in order of how the news came:

http://www.soompi.com/2014/05/14/chinese-media-reports-that-exos-kris-asked-for-contract-termination/
http://www.hellokpop.com/news/exo-m-kriss-lawsuit-against-sm-entertainment-confirmed/
http://www.soompi.com/2014/05/15/reports-claim-sm-violated-exo-m-kris-basic-civil-rights/
http://www.soompi.com/2014/05/16/exos-kris-updates-his-instagram-with-a-message-to-fans/
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/sm-entertainment-files-official-lawsuit-against-former-exo-member-kris-aka-wu-yifan-641126

But, in light of all that there was an incident that happened before the suing occurred. Kris, in 2013, went on hiatus from the group, and went to visit family in Canada. The rumors were that SM had to convince him to come back. They even delayed their comeback because of this. Here are some articles concerning this matter:
http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/28891/20130525/exo-kris-rumor.htm
http://www.jpopasia.com/news/exos-kris-rumored-to-have-left-group-delayed-comeback::14090.html

But, as it turns out after almost two years have passed, we have finally have word on why he actually left in 2013 according to Kris himself. He also, in this report, tells us why he decided to leave in the first place. Instead of me summing up what he said, I think it would be better if you just read what he says about it. Here is the report:


http://www.soompi.com/2015/07/31/kris-wu-yi-fan-releases-official-statement-in-response-to-sm-entertainments-lawsuit/



But, enough about that and why he left, I also want to go over what the reaction of fans to this, my reaction to this, and leave links to what Tao and Lay have said about Kris leaving. Keep in mind that we might find out more as we go along because Lay wrote a book on Exo and his journey and he most definitely will include some of his thoughts on this in his book. The book is called,Standing Firm at 24. But, as a great number of us cannot read Chinese, we will have to wait for a translation. So, while we wait, let us keep in mind what Lay and Tao have previously said and keep in mind that a lot more goes on behind the scenes than what we see.

Fans were divided on this issue. Some fans believed that Kris had every right to leave. Others believed it to be a sense of responsiblity that Kris lacked which caused him to leave. Still others were still conflicted over the issue or thought Kris should have waited till after the first solo exo concert to leave.

 My general first reaction was one of shock like most people but, I realized very quickly that we still had no real idea what was going on and decided to support both Exo and Kris. I quickly changed my facebook pictures to show support for Kris and I even ranted and spoke to my family on the subject. My siblings agreeded with me and I spent a lot of time on twitter checking through the tweets with the #WeMissYouKris and #WeBelieveinKris.


But, before I get into my reaction really I should state how long I have been a fan of Exo and how I got into them. I was into kpop back in early 2013, but, you can read about that in another post. I heard about Exo, and even picked two biases,one from Exo-M and one from Exo-K, Chen and Kai. But, I really did not become a fan till Exo Showtime. I watched Exo Showtime and I fell for the group as a whole. I watched all their music videos and was pretty involved. For most of us kpoppers, we know what a bad year 2014 was. First, Leeteuk's parents died in early 2014, the Sewol Ferry incident happened, the death of RiSe and EunBi, two members of Exo leaving, Luhan and Kris, and BAP suing their company.Not to mention all the dating scandals that were released that year, so, the hate againist those idols dating was huge. It was very unfair to those idols who just simply wished to carry on normal dating lives.

As some of the shock and despair at not seeing OT12 again has worn off and I have come to accept that Kris left, I have thought about why Kris did not tell any one in Exo that he left. The conclusion that I came to was this. Kris, did not know how to explain that he was leaving to the Exo members. For anyone who has watched Exo Showtime, it is very evident that Kris was not really one to express his feelings and thoughts very well. He liked to keep a certain image and it would be hard for anyone to tell their members that they were leaving. I can't image doing that myself, I would probably end up staying just because I couldn't decide how to tell my group that I was leaving. We need to also keep in mind that Kris was the first person to leave. It is always harder for the first to leave. He may have also know that his members would have most likely tried to keep him from leaving. They would have probably have said things like,''At least stay for the concert,'' or ''We can make it through this.'' It would be very hard to listen to those things, and then leave.

Here is the articles about what Tao have said on Kris leaving:

http://www.soompi.com/2014/05/15/sm-announces-exo-concert-will-go-on-as-planned-kris-attendance-unsure-other-members-speak-out/

Tao, later in this interview and mentioned in my post on Tao leaving has something else to say on Kris leaving:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLA3oBvSdOc

Here are articles about what Lay said about all three leaving and Luhan and Kris leaving before:

http://www.soompi.com/2015/04/20/lay-discusses-the-impact-of-kris-and-luhans-departure-on-exo-and-sme/

http://www.koreaboo.com/news/lay-reveals-exo-members-asked-if-he-would-leave-the-group-after-departure-of-kris-and-luhan/
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/exo-member-lay-talks-about-former-teammates-kris-luhan-tao-will-he-leave-sm-entertainment-644631


I want you guys to keep in mind that all exo members were hurt when Kris left. So, some of them like Tao did respond in anger and in the moment. There was no way Kris could have left without someone getting hurt.

I think as Exo-L we should support OT12, in whatever the members decide to do.

One thing I would like to mention that was a good thing from all this is that we found out that each of these three members that left had more talent than were seeing from them while they were in Exo. Kris, became an actor and he can sing pretty well even though he is a rapper. LuHan became a model, actor (he even got a hollywood movie), and singer. Tao produced his own album and became part of a video game. Kris became an MC for a variety show, Luhan is on Running Man Chinese version, Tao got in a movie with Jackie Chan. All of them are doing well, and I am very proud of them.

(Updated May 10,2020)
We got a show with OT3 all on the same stage again!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjtWF4DIx6E

Also, a few weeks ago Luhan and Kris collabed on a song together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gPltH46H_k

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

What Time is it? by Rebekah Walton









This post is set aside for my bias (favorite) group.

This may come as a surprise to you but it is not Exo. Exo is awesome and I love them but, they were definitely not my first group and they are not my ulitmate bias group. Yes, two members of Exo are on my bias list, but my ulimate bias is from 2PM. Jang Wooyoung from 2PM is my ultimate bias. 2PM is my favorite group ever.

2PM is one of the oldest boy groups owned by JYP, JYP seems to have a thing for numbers: GOT7, 2AM, DAY6, 15, and TWICE are all groups by JYP. (But, he also has Wondergirls and MissA) 

Their bromance is so wonderful and refreshing. I am glad to know Exo and like Exo though because it helped me to understand the part of 2PM's era that I missed. When I entered the Kpop fandom, Jay Park had already left 2PM, I did not understand the situation, but, because of Exo I have been able to understand the thought process and mindset of other Hottests and Cassies.

 Anyway, back to 2PM, I love them as a group, they are very supportive as members and they remind me of Super Junior with their support. Jang Wooyoung played    in Dream High, which is when I first was introduced to him and 2PM. I loved his dancing and he was my first bias. The interesting thing is that he is my only bias up to date that I did not pick just for his good looks. I picked him for his talent and awesomeness in Dream High.

But, with all my other biases I have picked them purely based on whether in my opinion they were the best looking in the group. For all other biases, I looked through their group pictures and found the member who looked the best in all of those and chose him or her.

 In order to correctly introduce 2PM I think I will list my favorite songs and a number of shows and possible even movies and CFs you need to see them in:

Favorite songs:

1. Come Back When You Hear This Song
2. Please Call My Name
3. Heartbeat
4.Again &Again
5. I'm Your Man
6. My House
7. Suddenly
8. Hands Up
9. Without U
10. One Day (both 2PM and 2AM)

Shows:
1. 2PM Wild Bunny (this has Jay Park)
2. Real 2PM
3. 2PM SHOW
4. Dream High (mostly showcases Taec and Wooyoung, cameo appearance of other members)
5. WGM(Nichkhun Season 2) and (Wooyoung Season 4)
6. The Idol and the Romantic (Jun K)
7. If You Love (Chansung mostly Nichkhun appears)
8. 7th Grade Civil Servant (Chansung)
9. Who are you (Taec)
10. Cinderella's Sister (Taec)
11. One and Half Summer (Nichkhun)
12. Assembly (Taec)
13. Dream Knight (mostly cameo appearances of Chansung)
14. Drama Special: (essentially tv movie): Your Noir (Chansung)

Movies:

1.A Dynamite Family (Chansung)
2. Wasureyuki (Chansung)
3.Ouran Highschool Host Club (Nichkhun cameo)

Playlists of CFs:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHYNMEUjFl8&list=PLMtPvolGzV8DJy_Wjzsr5bHgbZywLvVWZ
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4EUmvRLY_k&list=PLD6D4A6B0CAE083FD


The sixth member of 2PM Junho as you can see is not in a lot of these movies and shows by himself but, he does have two solo albums at least so far. He is one of 2PM's best singers. But, I believe Jun K is 2PM's most talented member. 
Anyway, I just wanted to introduce my bias group 2PM. What Time is it? 2PM.


Friday, June 12, 2015

Huang Z. Tao leaving by Rebekah Walton


I told you guys that SM needed to solve the real problems, but, they keep not. Tao did not even want to leave. SM, you need to give them rest.

 Tao looks so much better now that he has had some proper rest and my wish is that he loves where he is and is healthy where he is. Don't come back, Tao, if it's just going to make you worse.

Better yet, get in a movie with Wu Yi Fan and Lu Han. Become one of the top stars in China, marry well, and have beautiful kids. SM stop being in denial, Tao left didn't he?

 I was actually afraid this was going to happen earlier when I heard about Tao probably leaving Exo. SM is not going to probably ever admit that Tao left so as to keep fans thinking that he did not leave.

But, sooner or later, all the fans will realise that SM is just in denial and that Tao has really left. Tao, my wish for you is to be happy and well. Please produce and OST or at least a solo song while you are at it too so, I can add it to the list of Lu Han's and Wu Yi Fan's songs.

I am praying for your health. Forever a fan of yours, and Exo's, EXO-L Rebekah Marie Walton, vocalist, definitely not a dancer.

(Written June 12, 2015)


(Updated September 8, 2015)

ZTao has officially left SM and is suing the company. Right now, I think it is best to take what he says about why he had to leave as well as the events surounding Kris leaving. I will post here below what he said in an interview recently concering this.

I will even post the link to the interview here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLA3oBvSdOc


Here is the transcript of that portion of the interview.


Tao:Before, I talked to SM many times, I told them all the flaws. In the company, every time someone is too tired, gets sick, no one is there to ask us “Are you able to do this? We can cancel.” Instead, the most heard was “Just hold on a little longer, it will be over soon and you can go home.”
Every time I hear this, I always persist. But when I can’t stand it any longer, I ask myself, why would I put myself up to this? My leg got injured this year on February, then I couldn’t even walk, the company still wanted me for magazine shoots and shoot VCR’s. It was below freezing, I just got out of the hospital, they still made me do it. The doctor didn’t let me dance, but they still had me filming the MV. Even if I was iron, I really can’t stand this, okay?!But a lot of people don’t know about these things, a lot of things. I didn’t even tell my father.

Sina: This year April, you decided to leave EXO and terminate the contract with SM, did you worry? When Kris and Luhan left, you did say they “betrayed”. Aren’t you afraid fans would call you a hypocrite?

Tao: Of course there will be fans who would say this, but after I’ve done it there will be no regrets. My personality at that time really was impulsive, probably said things that shouldn’t have been said, did things that shouldn’t have been done. Now I regret it, I will fix myself.Me saying things like that about Kris, there were also private relationship reasons. But in the group my relationship with Kris was the best, but I don’t know why he just left. I only knew about it when I woke up to watch the news, so I felt overwhelmed.I really did see him as a great brother, a great friend, but when he left he never told me. I wrote many things, including our first interaction to debut, from trainee to now and our whole history. I wrote it all down.*

Sina: Why didn’t you post it? It’s very emotional.

Tao: Because I was still in the group, I have to also think about EXO, I couldn’t just think all for him. I asked my manager if I should post it, he said yes. I asked friends, they said no because people will talk about it. My manager insisted for me to post it, saying it would help the group.At the end I posted it. I felt tortured, having to be stuck in between sides.


Sina: After all, have you connected with Kris or Luhan?

Tao: I always connect with Luhan. But I don’t know if Kris will forgive me. I’m afraid he would think about all the things I’ve said.If I have the chance, I would tell him; “My actions were thoughtless. If it was now, I will support you.” I also hope everything goes well for him, hope he can listen to what I have to say. 

Sina: After you left, did you think about your father’s opinion? You and your father seem very close, your father even sent the letter asking for you departure.


 Tao: I tell my father everything. He feels very sorry for me. Back then he didn’t really support my decision as an artist, he wanted me to enlist in the military. But when I was 15 or 16, I wrote a letter to my father, asking him to give me some space and to learn music. I slid it under my father’s door, and after the paper was gone, he supported my decision.My father’s job is related to financials. My family isn’t poor, but we don’t have a lot of money either. My parents raised me without giving me any pocket money, only money for food. From the age of 18 till now, the money I’ve spent was my own hard earned money, I’ve never asked my parents for money.I just think that going to school doesn’t impact me much, because I felt that there were more important things that needs to be done. At that time I wanted to be a celebrity. I told the people around me, but they laughed at me, saying I couldn’t. I wanted to show them, it was possible.Before terminating the contract with SM, I fought with my father once over the phone. He told me to come, my injury was so bad, he’d rather me not be an artist. I said I wanted to be an artist. My leg is injured, but my voice can still sing, it’s just that I can’t dance. I sometimes can’t be honest with my feelings. The bad things that happened to me in Korea, my father knows. When he wrote that letter, he wrote down all the things I’ve said to him. My mom told me, he cried writing it. I’m grateful for my father.


Sina: Why were you so passionate in becoming a celebrity?

Tao: Because I love music. When I was little I loved listening to my seniors Jay Chou, Wang LiHong, and JJ, the way they performed on stage really had an attractive aura. So many people went to listen to them, it’s really because of this I fell in love with music.

Sina: When your father told you to share this situation, did you think about how people would feel negatively towards this? 

Tao: I really didn’t think about it, I just wanted to heal my leg.


As a Hailang (fan of Tao), Lufan, and whatever a fan of Wu Yifan is called, I strongly support all three men in their endeavors. I was really excited when ZTao as he is called now, came out with his album. (Update: Fans of Kris are called: Meigeni.).


Link to T.A.O. mv:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2z58ie_pt%E9%9F%AC%E5%90%A7-eng-sub-z-tao-t-a-o-mv_music

Link to Crown mv:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-06YYUSc-NQ

Link to songs on soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/rebekah-walton/sets/ot3


I am waiting for two days in the near future. The day we see Taoris and Krishan again. (Not as a pairing but as a bromance friendship.) And I am also waiting for the day they do a collaboration. (This might not happen for a few years. This could be a movie collab or a music collab.)
I believe we will see this soon.
(Updated April 31, 2020)
We got a music collab! Coffee by Krishan (Luhan and Kris Wu)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyY651_sTVk

(Updated May 10, 2020)
We are getting Kris, Luhan and Zitao on the same show!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjtWF4DIx6E

SM, you need to wake up. I do not think Yixing will leave, but, if you don't wake up, I can't guarantee anything.

On a different sort of note, take in mind that none of these three men who left were my biases. (Yes, I cheat and have two biases in Exo. One of them is EXO-M and the other is EXO-K.) My biases in Exo are Chen (Jongdae) and Kai(Jongin).

 I doubt either of them will leave considering their talent and that SM has made a point to showcase their talents in the albums and on stage, but, we never know.


Lu Han Left by Rebekah Walton



It happened once again. Sometimes, people think that after the first time something happens, all the other times it gets easier to deal with than the first. And I would agree with them to a certain extent. But, that does not mean it does not hurt just because it happened before. If anymore are going to leave, that does not mean I won't cry or have the same reaction I had with Kris and Luhan, I may even want to not give anymore up. But, in the end I will still support them as I did Kris and Luhan, it's just that this third time may be harder than the first two. Now, on to my option on Lu Han leaving. The way that Lu Han left was quite different to Kris leaving and I think there are a few reasons for that, even the reaction of fans was quite different to a certain extent. First, I will address why I believe that the reaction was different for Lu Han leaving opposed to Kris leaving. Then, I will present how I think fans should react to Lu Han leaving SM. Lastly, but, not in any way the least I will finish up with a statement on SM.

The reasons why the reaction to Lu Han leaving was so different is contributed to many factors I believe which include:


  • Kris leaving already
  • The way he left 
  • Lay's support
First, I need to address that first bullet. I do not believe Lu Han could have left if it was not for Kris. All through Exo showtime I think we get a glimpse of the Exo members and their character, and I wholeheartedly think that if Kris had not left, Lu Han would have never felt the courage to leave. But, because of the example of Kris leaving for his health, and the unfair treatment towards the Chinese members, Lu Han was able to follow in his footsteps and leave as well. Also, I am not sure Kris would have done it, if there hadn't been lawsuits before him. Kris opened the way for a lot of things I believe. SM is trying to keep the members of Exo I believe, because everyone was given after Kris and Lu Han left roles in movies suddenly. Lay finally was given his own studio which he had been asking for in China, after they got him to commit to never leaving SM to go back to being famous in China (Lay was famous in China before he joined SM and moved to Korea.).

Secondly, the way Lu Han left was very different from the way Kris left. I will not really discuss how Kris left in this post in great detail because that will be in another post about Kris leaving. But, I will tell you the way Lu Han left. Lu Han went to SM apparently and gave them a deadline to change certain things or he would leave SM. (I think it is very important to say that these boys are leaving SM not EXO. Exo is not what they wanted to leave but, rather SM.) SM did not fix these problems in the deadline and he left. 

The last bullet is Lay's support. As the peace loving healing unicorn of Exo, as Lay is known by fans, Lay in true Lay fashion decided to stand up for Lu Han's decision to leave. Lay has announced openly that he is still great friends with Lu Han and even wished him happy birthday. Lu Han likewise said that they still text and just because they are now on different pathways does not mean they are not friends. Because of all three of these points I think fans reactions have been totally different. 

Now, what should fans reactions actually be. I believe we should support every single Exo member whether they leave SM or not. Why do we have to choose one or the other between supporting Exo and a single member? Let's support all of them and have no fan wars. So, that is what I am going to and am doing.

SM obviously did not react well to Lu Han telling him he would leave if they did not fix the problems in SM. Business wise I have no clue why they would do this and not decide to change what he wanted. Exo is making them a lot of money and it would be foolish to let a member go. So, they made a bad business decision with this one, but, it is obvious they are trying to make it up to the other members so no more will leave by giving them more to do. But, time will tell that will only solve the problem for a little while. SM needs to give them time off and rest. Not to mention fair treatment between members and better pay. More are bound to leave. SM is in denial.


Updated:
I decided to mention all that LuHan is doing right now: He has just released his first solo EP and is releasing more songs still as I am writing. I am told he will continue releasing songs till December. He had his first miniconcert that was broadcasted live and all those fans there got to be in his next MV for his song ''Football Gang''. He even got to play his favorite sport of soccer in a game for his birthday. He is in Chinese Running Man and he is acting in the hollywood movie: The Great Wall and the Chinese movie The Witness, and Back to 20. 

Mvs of his songs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCKbv654EVQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK3EOGMyeEE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoLaCoD-GwI


(Updated May 10,2020)
Kris, Luhan and Tao are going to be on stage together again on a show.
And Kris and Luhan decided to sing a song named Coffee together a few weeks before this and Tao promoted it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gPltH46H_k