No Min Woo Sues SM Entertainment for 17-Year Slave Contract and Broadcast Ban, SM Responds

[sand-nicky.livejournal.com]

Singer-actor No Min Woo, who in the past had been active as the drummer of SM Entertainment’s group TRAX, has filed a suit against his former agency citing a slave contract and broadcast ban.

No Min Woo’s legal representatives JC Partners stated on May 11 that the actor filed the damage suit at the end of last month, as well as reported the agency to the Fair Trade Commission for unfair actions.

The actor’s side claims, “Before No Min Woo debuted, he ended up signing a contract spanning 17 years, as a result of SM Entertainment’s unilateral terms of contract extension. Truthfully, contracts extending over seven years are considered unfair, so taking issue in a 17-year contract is a matter of course.”

Moreover, No Min Woo’s representation states, “While the 17-year contract is an issue, in addition, as soon as No Min Woo showed signs of opposition [to the contract], SM halted all support activities expected of a management company. He did start activities again on his own, but SM Entertainment blocked his television appearances.”

“It goes to show how wronged No Min Woo must feel, to go to court with a huge management agency like SM over a contract that is already over,” continues the rep. “The development of this case will be something to see.”

Upon news of this lawsuit, SM responded via a statement to Star Today: “We plan to take legal action on all accounts regarding the groundless lawsuit and report [to the Fair Trade Commission].”

Source: Soompi

I'd say I hadn't seen this one coming, but that would be a lie.

Comments

Open Season on SME

[imangos.livejournal.com]

At this point, I'd like to know who is not going to sue or peace out of SME.

Re: Open Season on SME

[aibajunior.livejournal.com]

ikr?

[djeedjes.livejournal.com]

he was debuted in 2004, so 17 years contract means he already signed even before debut? And he's only 28 years old, how old when he signed with SM??

He is still active as an actor, so the mentioned ban is only for music appearances?

[aurellee.livejournal.com]

If he sign the contract in 2004, then it's only 11 years now, he still has 6 more years to go, including Military years. If he signs like a year or two early, he still has a few more years to go. 17 years is long. He debut probably same age as Jaejoong because he's a few months younger than Jae. Jae debut in December of 2003.


He did switch to the then CCM in 2009-2012 and then switch to MJ Dreamsys. It makes me wondered if SM still has his old contract and still claim he's with them seeing how they still do this with Hangeng even after he file a lawsuit, they still claim JYJ members as theirs for a few years, idk if they still do that. But seemed like they probably still holding on to him for him to sue.

[ggumd.livejournal.com]

Isnt this guy promoting fine and left like 20 years ago? Why would sme block him from broadcast stations its not trax/him were big money makers like dbsk, jessica, or the half of exo that left, I wouldnt have thought they would care at all tbh

[princetabi.livejournal.com]

it seems like its a pride thing on sm's part. also maybe making an example of everyone who leaves SM

[madielou.livejournal.com]

is he being added to the list of traitors by knetz or


forreal tho when are people going to start realizing how shitty of a company SM can be (although this is less mistreatment as it is no promo?)

[pseudo-shigure.livejournal.com]

just read knetz comments on NB, and apparently bc he's not Chinese (or run to China ala Jessica), this time it's SM's fault.

Mandatory

[suxaholic.livejournal.com]

Re: Mandatory

[edanz-castle.livejournal.com]

Seriously where is this gif from? lol

[ohso-insane.livejournal.com]

3 lawsuits in a span of a year.Damn SM good job. Couldn't have done better even if you tried

[nandexdame.livejournal.com]

i'm confused. how can you sue over a slave contract that you already got out of? i could understand suing over the broadcast ban--although it seems to me that he is getting work so i'm also confused there.

but if he means he's getting blocked from singing...well...can't really feel sorry for him for that one

[suxaholic.livejournal.com]

he is not out of the contract he is just not working with SM because he wants out of the contract.
SM have therefore according to his lawyers actively blocked him from working on broadcast

That could mean he has been blocked from variety shows the same as JYJ

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

I wonder if he will start appearing in Knetizens "traitor ranking" or not. Because he is Korean and all, you know...XD

[extraenchanted.livejournal.com]

If his contract said 17 years, and he's 28/29 now... I don't think he signed the contract when he was 11/12 years old. Also, how did he get out of SM when he started promoting as an actor, assuming he was still under the 17-year contract? Unless he or his family paid it off. And why sue only now? Hmm so many questions.

[asth77.livejournal.com]

-> He wanted to get out, didn't ask for their permission or didn't get any permission and just worked on his own, I assume
-> Idk why he'd sue now. He's tired of feeling like his chances are reduced because of whatever things he has to fight against to get the roles...

[suxaholic.livejournal.com]

3 members have left they have 3 lawsuits against them and one probably on it's way. SM is going for their own version of a triple crown @Seriously Messed up Entertainment

[violoncelliste.livejournal.com]

Seriously Messed up Entertainment tho

[bloodtaki2.livejournal.com]

I don't find funny that SME's (ex)members are mistreated, but I laugh at SMe getting all those lawsuits.

That's a lot of people peacing out/attacking them in one year. But we just gonna pull out the traitor card.

[tungatunga.livejournal.com]

Loled hard at people claiming that he's suing for easy money, like since when SM is ready to settle with their former assets by paying them off??
Seriously, news about lawsuit was out for one hot minute and people are already sure that SM being wronged by some famewhoring hasbeen.

[pockeeta.livejournal.com]

"people are already sure that SM being wronged by some famewhoring hasbeen."

i feel like this is the exact reason why this kind of behavior by management companies is still a thing
people keep supporting sm's shitty actions -> sm doesn't think they need to fix anything -> cycle repeats

[e-bone (from livejournal.com)]

I may be preoccupied with my faves comeback but this is getting logged just like everything else.

SM will reap what they sow one day.

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

welp they're already putting down noh min woo saying how it's not sm who blocked his activities but his lack of talents so

that sm loyalty among some fans still going strong

[suxaholic.livejournal.com]

color me surprised

[torontok.livejournal.com]

SMDH AT THIS DIRTY CHINESE- wait.
But lol, did Tao just get Busker Buskered

[keki7.livejournal.com]

lmfao, he did! And here I was applauding how he was trolling and this dude come out and snatches wigs. Never a dull moment at SM.

[princetabi.livejournal.com]

i always forget that NMW was with SM for a while. i support anyone who calls them out of their shitty behavior tbh.

[piqapique.livejournal.com]

who would have thought the next person to sue sm is no min woo. I support him through this lawsuit because his singing career is hitting rock bottom, so does his acting.

anyway, his face reminds me so much of miyavi lately. So hot.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_dokidoki_/]

I was thinking the same thing! I kept staring at his picture for a long time, trying to figure out who he reminded me of when it hit me - Miyavi :) Saw him in concert 2 weeks ago; still amazingly beautiful.

[dokyungsoo.livejournal.com]

this goddamn shitty company

[misswaldorf.livejournal.com]

praying for kyungsoo to peace out.
he can be an actor~

bbut kai??

[misswaldorf.livejournal.com]

not surprise but what still surprising is how deep far of SM a**holes are some stans, like seriously did it hurt you to admit after all these examples that maybe....MAYBE is SME the shitty ones here.

its his fault to sign 17 years of contract!!!1111 leave sooman oppa out of this!!!22
the chinese contract are only 7 years so they're still betraydol!1111

and many more of the likes. and its coming from international fans no less...

[jaeslurpy.livejournal.com]

dang. i wonder who's gonna be next....

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

YG gonna tell us next month

[imienazwisko.livejournal.com]

i always wondered how he get out of sm... this explains a lot :/ he was under (then) ccm for a while, right?

i sorta like him so i'll be rooting for him ^^

[audiograms.livejournal.com]

i bet people will still defend sm tho smh

[shupagirl-uk.livejournal.com]

No Min Woo debuted as a drummer in TRAX (SME) in 2004 and then left the band in 2006. He left SME in 2009 so was there for 5 years.

So that means the 17 year contract he signed before debuting would expire in 2021? I could be wrong though. I didn't even know that a 17 year contract actually exists until now. Shows you that SM never really cared about its artists, at the end of the day they're just products to be used and abused to gain money.
To SM Money = power.

I hope No Min Woo and everyone else that have filed lawsuits win against SM.
For those stans/supporters who think that SM can do no wrong, even after seeing everything that's happened so far and are blaming the members/groups/individuals who have left, you seriously need to get your eyes checked out.

[greenmoon666.livejournal.com]

[bunica1990.livejournal.com]

omg

[violentiak.livejournal.com]

reported the agency to the Fair Trade Commission

SM, don't you think it could be a good time to chek your company policies?