Shinhwa’s Eric Shares Thoughts on Current State of Idol Groups

[imienazwisko.livejournal.com]

Singer and actor Eric shared his thoughts on the current state of idol groups as a member of Shinhwa, which has promoted for 16 years.

Eric met with enews on October 16 in Sinsa-dong, Seoul and was asked what he thinks of the recent conflicts among idol groups.

Eric started, “First of all, I’m thankful for the members,” and said, “I think Shinhwa is lucky. We didn’t come this far because we’re superior and I think I should feel grateful for the people around us.”

Jessica has recently been removed from Girls’ Generation (SNSD)’s group activities while EXO’s Chinese member Lu Han is currently carrying out a lawsuit against SM Entertainment to terminate his contract. In May, another Chinese member Kris left the group. MBLAQ’s Lee Joon and Cheon Dung have also been rumored to leave their group.

Eric said, “Shinhwa also experienced what the idols groups are experiencing now. We experienced hate and conflicts too. But the decision made at the critical moment makes all the difference. I think the problem is where you place your priorities.”

Eric added, “The members dealt well with those situations, which is why we were able to come this far. There’s nothing extraordinarily special about us.”

Eric debuted as a member of Shinhwa in 1998. Shinhwa, which is made up of Eric, Lee Min Woo, Jun Jin, Shin Hye Sung, Andy and Kim Dong Wan, promoted under SM Entertainment until their contract ended and are currently promoting under separate agencies. The group released its 11th album last year and will be carrying on their activities by preparing for 12th album later this year.

Meanwhile, Eric recently acted as ‘Kang Tae Ha’ in KBS2’s drama Discovery of Romance. He received a lot of love for acting out a character that represents young people who struggle in dealing with love. Leaving behind criticism on his acting ability, Eric showed himself taking another step forward as an actor.
source: mwave

Comments

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

Eric...really? Shinhwa didn't even know the real reason Andy had to sit out an album...

You guys did stick together but please acknowledge there were people being treated better than others in your group and you guys have messed up A LOT

Also...where you place your priorities? Being worked into the ground for little profit should not be anyone's priority

If you can't tell I don't like Eric...

[marinamirabella.livejournal.com]

Well, I like him, but my sentiments are the same on this one :/ Everyone has their one circumstances anyway...

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

LOL...sorry I've had an irritation with him since the second album...

[princetabi.livejournal.com]

"But the decision made at the critical moment makes all the difference. I think the problem is where you place your priorities.”

??????

health and well being should always be the idol's priority. I'm kind of confused by what he said lol

[jrt131n.livejournal.com]

“Shinhwa also experienced what the idols groups are experiencing now. We experienced hate and conflicts too. But the decision made at the critical moment makes all the difference. I think the problem is where you place your priorities.”

Man, sit your goofy self down please. He didn't even really say anything that was important enough to hear.

[smilish.livejournal.com]

I got what he means....I do not know what others think

I read different translation somewhere else, and he expressed the issue well

[angela-derp-otp.livejournal.com]

I think the problem is where you place your priorities.”



Please Eric you guys have a lot of dirty laundry too so ♪hush, hush, hush baby ♪

[sayufied.livejournal.com]

omg what did he do to stellar?

[jackieee94.livejournal.com]

He ditched them. Reason why they went down the "sexy" route. He was what Andy is to Teen Top and 100%.

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

I never followed Stellar...what did he do?

[jackieee94.livejournal.com]

He ditched them. Reason why they went down the "sexy" route. He was what Andy is to Teen Top and 100%.

[lysblack.livejournal.com]

eric can you not?

[vanhangels.livejournal.com]

"...I think the problem is where you place your priorities.”

wow. sorry but really Eric? Really?

[dokyungsoo.livejournal.com]

[faricsyung.livejournal.com]

i think he answered it carefully, and he didn't condemn the ones who decided to leave.
for Shinhwa, each member's priority is the group, but he did not say it should be the way for every group.

let's not get oversensitive.

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

See I don't even think each member's priority is the group for Shinhwa...more they know they still need the group.

Also he can't condemn anyone for leaving when they didn't even know Andy's situation.

[faricsyung.livejournal.com]

they still need the group, and the fans are still supporting them. win-win situation.

i won't put the whole blame on them for not knowing because personally i don't know my own sibling's problem if they choose not to share it with me.

which brings it back to his original point, each group is different and has to deal with it on their own terms.

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

Each group is different and nothing you've said particularly clashes with what I wrote, though a sibling and a business partner are a bit different, but I'll leave it here

[miuratenshi.livejournal.com]

IDK. Each member of Shinhwa has been pretty successful in their solo activities so they really don't need to stay in the group. SM even offered them solo contracts back in the day but they all chose to stay together. Hyesung wouldn't even promote on music shows because he didn't want to take away from Shinhwa's comeback buzz (in 2012). I sincerely think they put the group before everything else.

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

The solo contracts were for certain members but they were able to be forward looking enough to see the group was for their best interests (or they looked at what happened to HOT and realized NOPE)

I have a different view on Hyesung not promoting but it's better for you to believe as you do

[lynethia.livejournal.com]

An easy thing to say when your support system lives in the same country as you and you happen to be the ethnicity and / or culturally reared in the country you're working in. Also, health and monetary compensation / job opportunities are important priorities given they help perform basic functions in life like feeding, clothing, and sheltering yourself and others dependent on that.

[turdferguson.livejournal.com]

A+

[10135.livejournal.com]

Nah.

[notochrasy.livejournal.com]

The topic of Shinhwa's longevity has been talked about forever, it's not like what he's saying is new, most who pay attention to Shinhwa will have heard these things already. It's only the fact that we're currently at a stage where we actually have several idols leaving their groups within such a short period of time that the kind of stuff Eric says gets exposure and people are reacting to it.

And what the??? He was asked about longevity of the group, so he talked about his situation and for him yes it was about where his priorities lie. He didn't have the issue of cultural/ethnicity differences or a career in fashion planned. I don't see how anything he is saying is wrong to the question he was asked.

But yeah, ofc priorities should always lie with ones health and wellbeing, ain't no one denying that. I'm all for idols leaving if they want.

[sheswatching.livejournal.com]

ia with your comment, but then I'm probably biased. I think he definitely was talking about his own priorities//shinhwa's priorities. i don't think he was condemning anyone for picking health/home/whatever over the group, just literally saying "it's about priorities" because it is. doesn't mean it's bad or good.

[xblackchristmas.livejournal.com]

hurry up and marry someone, eric, before i want to marry you...

[phililen3.livejournal.com]

He didn't really give an answer. He was so vague. If you aren't going to say anything of worth, then don't say anything.

[jesymphony.livejournal.com]

Sheesh I sense some butthurt up in here.

Eric's been in the business long enough to know to answer these sorts of things in a very careful way. Ofc he isn't going to be anything other than vague.

[kazu-kumaguro.livejournal.com]

and he still gets the hate, what a wonderful community we have, right

[olivier-dathos.livejournal.com]

Thanks for pointing this out. Some people are looking for hate where it doesn't exist.

[olivier-dathos.livejournal.com]

Not understanding how people can be pissed off at his comment; it's vague and only states fact.

Staying in a group does depend on priorities.

Doesn't mean any of those priorities are wrong, and no one said it did. Is your priority right now family? Health? Career? The group? Whatever's going on in your life is gunna affect decisions about the group, whether your priorities are justified or not.

Also, he's perfectly justified in giving his opinion, however vague it might be.

I'm also confused about what this has to do with past Shinhwa problems etc. There's no statement in here claiming that his group has a blank slate? He said that they weren't perfect, they've also been through things, but when the question was asked they happened to be on the same page when it came to their priorities.

How is this controversial or in any way suggesting something negative about someone else?

[flame-angel88.livejournal.com]

Thank you for saying this. I was so surprised by the negativity in earlier comments.

[cleopatra25.livejournal.com]

I agree with what a few posters said here. Nothing Eric said was wrong or presumptuous so why the hate. No one here works in the Korean entertainment business especially to the extent that he has so you have no right to say he has no idea what he's talking about because it is actually YOU who has no clue. Stop letting your emotions get in the way, take a dose of reality and sit the f down.