That’s why fans are unhappy.
SM Entertainment is receiving backlash from netizens regarding their decisions SMTOWN Live 2025 in Seoul. The official SMTOWN account has revealed three posters featuring the line-up of Remake Stage artists who will be at the show and will also earn a spot on a commemorative album for SM’s 30th anniversary.
The teaser images show the artists above remaking a song from the artists below. The exact match of the artists is blocked by stickers, indicating that it will be a surprise or will be revealed at a later time.
However, many netizens had problems with the decision to include SHINee‘S Jonghyun as one of the artists whose song will be remade.
SHAWOL and many other netizens were not in favor of the idea as they believe that SM Entertainment does not do everything possible to honor his legacy or make his music readily available to fans. In this way, a remake feels fake.
Now I’m pissed because you wouldn’t give Jonghyun the time of day in his career in Shinee’s career you intentionally hid the contents and never acknowledged him except for 2 days out of 365 but now you want people to cover his songs for the your anniversary performance
— the gigashawol™ (@kibumiist) January 7, 2025
So sm will remake an entire Jonghyun song and officially release it on an album celebrating a company that won’t reissue his albums, won’t recognize him more than twice a year, and won’t release his concerts but now that they can do money with him, remember his art
— dia (@meowqxng) January 8, 2025
In particular, the idea of a remake has been disliked because fans are angry at SM Entertainment for not reissuing his music to make it readily available to fans and for not mentioning his music/art outside of a commemorative post.
I wouldn’t care if they performed a cover during the concert, why would you remake a song by Jonghyun who asked for this?
— Grapefruit (@selenekjh) January 7, 2025
I’m so pissed off sm only acknowledges Jonghyun’s existence twice a year and his albums are not available for purchase, but now suddenly someone will remake, not even a cover, but REMAKE his song????? https://t.co/F4FRShStaL
—afra (@nightkbm) January 7, 2025
Do you know what the most frustrating shawls and blingers are? The fact that we’ve been hungry for ANYTHING has been about him for years and this company didn’t give a damn, even trying to delete him from the group like he was never a hugely significant part of SHINee https://t.co/ 86QrkpSmQl
—vic (@seokjjong) January 7, 2025
Although SM Entertainment’s decision to use her song as a cover for the anniversary performance was not as criticized, it was not liked by many: many believed that the artist in question who would cover her song should have a meaning for Jonghyun in some. capacity, while others thought a coverage didn’t cross the line.
sm barely recognizes him and now wants to use his hard work for their anniversary performance ????? https://t.co/xmNrLctND4
— Joey is dating Ateez (@haotec) January 7, 2025
there are not many people in this lineup, I want to cover a Jonghyun song to be so sincere with you https://t.co/3codS3ViCW
— nico✡️🍉 (@taemology) January 7, 2025
The covers are beautiful but a remake… When the artist cannot consent… It was necessary https://t.co/qNLUxnRnlQ
— NiNa (@alieNina8) January 7, 2025
SM Entertainment has yet to respond to the matter.
