📝 haechan journal
🌿 Entry No. 2: Ramble on Haechan's Solo Activities Let me just rant because I'm so disappointed about how SM's managing Haechan. It's so unfair. I don't wanna feel sad the whole day so let me write.
I don't even know where to start. I don't want to seem ungrateful because 2022 is such a busy year for Haechan, and it's a really great year for his growth as an individual artist, but the way SM is managing him is just downright frustrating.
I think we can all agree that Haechan is a talented person. He sings, he dances, he raps, he creates his own music, and he can choreograph, among others. Talent-wise, he's up there among the most deserving Neos for a solo. Not even a solo album, just a solo activity he can add to his resume or whatever. Adding the amount of work they exert for the NCT brand to the criteria, you narrow down that list of Neos but Haechan remains, and he's on top.
This year, we got his solo activity which is also his first OST, Good Person (2022). We got his first solo magazine cover for star1's July 2022 issue. He didn't get to perform a solo stage for NCT 127's The Link because he had little time to prepare, but we had Love Sign (plus the dance break he choreographed) and NYCT. This is great. We got a lot from him and he has new things that he can call his own.
But if you look at it within the context that Haechan debuted in 2016 and for 6 years, he had nothing solely to his name, this is just the bare minimum. This, and the fact that he exerts thrice as much time and effort into the NCT brand, only to get crumbs of what others get.
Then you see new people coming in and new opportunities for them, and here's an original member from 2016, one of the backbones of the brand, and you can count on one finger the opportunities that SM let him have. I cannot help but feel envious because I know he deserves more than what he's getting.
This came to mind again because during a fansign yesterday, he was asked about the song cover he promised months ago. I'm not sure if he's still pertaining to the song cover, but he said that he has something recorded. Unfortunately, they couldn't shoot the MV for it yet because they lack time.
For so long, sunflowers have been ridiculed for asking solo activities for Haechan. Nonfans say that perhaps he just doesn't want solo activities, he doesn't have offers, or he's too busy for it.
First and foremost, it's Haechan's dream to be a singer-songwriter. I believe there are two types of idols in Kpop: (1) those who are Kpop idols because they genuinely want to sing and dance, hence, traversing the soloist path in the future, and (2) those who are Kpop idols by name, just gaining momentum, until they can jump to another field in the entertainment industry.
Without a doubt, Haechan is the first one. Fans know this. He's mentioned it on multiple occasions. It's also the reason why he released Love Sign and NYCT. He's also mentioned (on multiple occasions again) that he wants to release a solo album AND HE SHOULD.
It's bullshit to say that he doesn't want solo activities when he talks proudly about Good Person, about Love Sign and NYCT, even about the cover.
Second, I can't fathom the audacity of people, especially nonfans, who claim that he has no offers. Music producers want to work with him. Unconfirmed, but he was being scouted for variety shows but SM declined it. He's the emcee they usually go to for NCT content yet he didn't emcee for any music shows, aside from those special shows where he was invited as a special MC.
The thing that I'm most angry about was his supposed Rolling Stone Korea interview that sunflowers alone won for him. Fans spent money to secure that interview because it's a magazine focused on the music industry, and figured that it would be a great avenue for him to talk about his music. But alas, the magazine, the company in-charge of the poll, and SM did not push through with it.
Lastly, I think it shouldn't be on him if we're talking about the lack of time for solo schedules.
Sfs understand that since he's in three active units, his schedule is much tighter than the rest. Sadly, while he's spending time and effort for brand comebacks and promotions, the members from the units that are currently not promoting have time to do career-related stuff that they want. It may be as simple as song covers, random dance covers, etc.
We understand this, even before stanning Haechan. It's just frustrating that when SM can lessen their workload, especially cos Haechan has been continuously working since 2019, they still choose to pack his schedules to the brink.
Full album comebacks and repackage album promotions, on top of concerts and world tours happening within the same timeline. It's insane how SM cares so little about Haechan's health and well-being. The way he is working is unethical.
Sure, he loves his work. Haechan is just happy to sing and dance, to perform in front of a crowd. But for the same crowd to see him grimacing in pain and squeezing parts of his body that hurt is heart-wrenching.
[SM, there is no shame in having one of Haechan's units come back in the first quarter, the other during the third or last. Give the middle of the year to non-Haechan units so he can rest. The world tours can be evenly spaced out. In fact, the fans will understand a mini album release specially in the midst of two world tours.]
I don't blame the other Neos for having opportunities that Haechan does not have. I am just frustrated that because SM cannot manage their groups efficiently, someone has to sacrifice the formative years of their career working their bones off.
He's approaching his 7th year in the industry. Since he wants to become a singer-songwriter, it is just right that he starts building the foundations of his career as early as now, but because SM is shit at management, he has to tire himself physically and mentally instead.
What's sadder is that I don't think he knows we want his solo as much as he does. And that's why we keep reminding him!!!
I'm speechless whenever he talks and it seems like he doesn't know how many people are waiting for him and how many of us are ready to support him the moment he as much as mumbles the word "solo",
I hope he knows because honestly, I will wait for him. But I just wish that the things he's doing now are more beneficial to him, and not just for the brand. I need a legit return of investment for all the years he's worked for the brand. Let me be frank, if he's in any other group and any other company, the higher-ups will be at his beck and call.