I appreciate this critique a lot and the legitimate questions you ask. I will do my best to address them and elaborate on my opinion; and I do admit that I have a bias against SM Entertainment that is based on the accounts I have read and heard over the years.
With that said, from what I am aware, SM was indeed the common denominator in the blocking of JYJ’s activities. I refuse to invest too much trust into the KFPCAI’s claim (and that of many other bodies) that they didn’t side with SM when they too issued all those blockage requests to numerous broadcasters and album distributors. And AVEX is an SM affiliate. It’s undeniable how huge SM is in the K-pop industry, and when odds happen to be in their favor, in my eyes that is enough to assume strings are being pulled somewhere, whether directly or indirectly.
As for SM not playing their influence to promote their other artists, the sole fact that SM artists are among the biggest and most internationally promoted in the industry is evidence of their influence and star power, both passive and actively played. BoA in Japan was not just a happy accident, EXO has an enormous fanbase for a reason (even before they debuted), and SNSD would not have appeared on American television if SM didn’t know a few somebodies.
SM wanting to create a K-pop monopoly is my own little conspiracy theory, because if we zero in on the nuances, of course K-pop is not a monopoly per se as you still have the other “big two” (or “big three”, if you count Cube Entertainment), as well as the other labels. But I have a bone to pick with SM for ‘merging’ with Woollim Entertainment, a label I believe had potential to join the higher ranks if it remained on its own feet; as well as partnering with Samsung to create another sub-label. At the very least, SM is seeking to be a major music company with all these ‘merges’ and partnerships; and that’s a smart and tactful strategy from a business perspective, for sure. As a consumer, however, I don’t like how this label is becoming all the more widespread in the Korean cultural industry, not just in K-pop (they have subsidiaries in the travel, technology, and drama industries; and the one out of the “big three” with the most subsidiaries); and apparently, in many other music industries in Southeast Asia. Again, it’s great for them and for SM artists, having access to ventures and opportunities beyond the music world. But as I wish to be in control of my consumer choices, I find it unnerving, unnerving enough to call it a pursuit towards an industrial monopoly.
For SM to attempt blocking other popular groups the way they blacklist JYJ would not be a smart move, from where I see it. It is too risky as they place themselves head-to-head with labels and star power with the brawn to match theirs. Blacklisting and blockage involves measuring power differentials and taking advantage, which was the case with JYJ (and even the SNSD brand controversy from 2011, when the company tried to sue some person who had shares in the group’s trademark. In my opinion, they could have just offered compensation). It does not mean that SM will not challenge other labels and groups, as they’ve arguably done recently with YG (as YG with SM), when 2NE1 and SNSD returned to the scene in the same cycle. That is a fair way to play, not blockage nor blacklisting; and I call SM a bully because of what they did to JYJ, in believing they did have enough of an advantage to successfully pluck JYJ right out of the industry. Maybe they are not the sole players - and you are right, there are other (and bigger) bullies in the industry, but that does not diminish the unfairness of SM’s actions.
I understand there exists loopholes and unconfirmed speculations in the JYJ case (and perhaps in many others involving SM), but it is my conscious choosing to establish a solid opinion and express it when asked. Besides, isn’t almost everything clouded with a bit of uncertainty? With this issue, I essentially decided to navigate through the uncertainty with my own reasoning, which again, is my own. Everyone has the right to disagree, as we all have our own perspective of the issue; and it doesn’t mean I will not be flexible when presented with contrary views. It may just be so that I did not happen to come across those views. As always, I invite you and anyone to drop by and continue the discussion wherever you see fit.
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