Beef, resolved after a decade.
Kim JaejoongFrom TVXQ AND JYJ fame, appearing in the latest episode of Radio star and shared his meeting with the founder of his former management, Lee Soo Manconsidered the nemesis of “OT5”.
Short Long Drama: In 2009, during the height of TVXQ’s career, the members Kim Junsu, Yoochun Parkand Kim Jaejoong have asked to terminate their contracts with SM Entertainment– a move that shocked K-Pop fans around the world. The three cited two main reasons for this request, one of which was that their 13-year contracts were too long. The other was their low and unfair pay.
The three split from TVXQ and formed JYJ. And while JYJ continued to make waves in the music industry, their presence on television entertainment programs became conspicuously sparse. Despite their immense talent and popularity, the doors of major television networks seemed firmly closed, leading many fans to believe that an unspoken “blacklist” was at stake.
TVXQ: The sad truth about how they went from 5 to 2 members
That said, in light of finally returning to public television, Kim Jaejoong revealed that after meeting SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo Man on the same flight, whatever “issues” there were have since been resolved.
Kim Jaejoong: I met him on a plane, actually. That was a good 4 years ago, I think.
Kim Gu Ra: Oh, so it had been a long time.
Kim Jaejoong: A lot of time, definitely. I realized that he and I were on the same flight. And he was sitting two seats away from me!
What could have been an awkward moment, Kim Jaejoong decided to turn it into a precious moment by letting go of the past and focusing on the good.
It had been so long since all this had happened. And, despite all the feelings I had accumulated, I wanted to let him know that I have changed. So, I asked [the flight attendant] for one of those postcards they have in the cabin, and for the entire two-hour flight, I wrote him a letter. Before I went down I gave it to him and… He patted me on the shoulder and told me to keep working hard. For me it was enough. I was happy to have had the chance. But later, I heard from Super Junior‘S Heechul and other people from SM Entertainment who had talked about the letter somewhere else! He didn’t brag about it per se, but he told how he had received a letter from me. Then… it became clear to me that I had made the right decision to write that letter, and I was grateful for that chance.
I am grateful to him. Yes, he and I have been through a lot of this and that, but… Ultimately, I know I’m here today because he allowed me to debut in the past. He’s the one who made me, so I wanted to let him know how much I appreciated it.
—Kim Jaejoong
After the episode, K-Pop fans praise Kim Jaejoong for doing what he did.
- “Congratulations on your first TV appearance in 15 years, Jaejoong! It’s amazing how you never blame anyone else for the blacklist that prevented you from appearing on TV and music shows. Instead you always say that you will work harder… I hope you can really do everything you want now!”
- “I think Jaejoong is SM Entertainment’s first true love. All of SM Entertainment’s idol groups included someone in the Jaejoong style.
- “Yes, SM Entertainment allowed Jaejoong to debut as TVXQ and earned him some fame. But SM Entertainment also blacklisted him and tried to end his career. It’s amazing how (except Yoochun) JYJ survived those years. Pure talent.”
- “If I were Lee Soo Man and I received a letter from him thanking me for the past, I would brag too. Jaejoong is a great person because he can look back and reflect on the things that happened to him.”
- “Jaejoong is the Buddha of our age.”
- “I love the way Jaejoong speaks. It’s never excessive and is rather calm. But it’s still fun.”
- “Wow, that’s so forgiving. I would have splashed wine on Lee Soo Man instead. SM Entertainment idols should forever thank and respect JYJ for getting rid of the terrible practice of slave contracts.”
Read more about ITZY Chaeryeong‘s reaction to accidentally mentioning SM Entertainment in front of Kim Jaejoong:
ITZY’s Chaeryeong panics after mentioning SM Entertainment to Kim Jaejoong
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