Japanese ent companies show Korean counterparts how to best to retain their artists

[hergracious.livejournal.com]

The increasingly contentious ’slave contract’ issue has grown to such proportions that even international companies are sitting up to take notice. After observing the cases of JYJ-SM Entertainment and KARA-DSP Media, many Japanese entertainment agencies have been voicing their confusion over why contract terminations are imploding into such a controversial issue.

Contract terminations are rarely seen in the Japanese music industry. Case-in-point, the idol group SMAP, who debuted back in 1991, are still going strong even after 20 years as one of the most popular groups in the idol industry.

Japanese agency representatives believe that the key ingredient to their idol group’s longevity is the fair and reasonable conditions of the contracts signed. “In TVXQ’s case, the main problem stems from the 13 year contract deal, whereas in Japan, a one or two year contract is the norm,” stated a representative of a magazine company affiliated with five major media companies in Japan.

In other words, the Japanese agencies utilize a system based off personal incentives – if a group attains popularity and earns a solid profit during their contract period, that group will receive a higher salary for the following year. Other methods include enforcing a monthly pay schedule, which in turn allows for less-popular celebrities to pay for their living expenses, and thus strengthen their loyalty with the company.

A special characteristic about Japanese entertainment agencies are the humane relationships shared between the company and their artists. An seasoned representative of Japanese celebrity management companies said, “It’s not about dealing with celebrities as ‘items’; it’s about managing them with an equal understanding and relationship as human beings.”

There was a case back in 2009 when a Japanese actress/model’s contract impressed all those who read its details. “We do not tolerate the emotional and physical pain of labor force,” it said. “Schedules must always be adjusted in order to develop the greatest skills of our models and actresses.”

The CEO of this small agency, Sasaki Masumi, stated, “It’s part of the entertainment business to run into difficulties in managing celebrities as they are our ‘products’, but it’s not just about simply managing a celebrity; I also focus on helping them develop as an actor by instilling in them a deeper knowledge of their craft.”

However, that’s not to say that the Japanese music industry doesn’t see artists leaving their companies due to complications or differences in opinion. Although the majority of artists leave a company because they couldn’t attain as much popularity as they wanted, there are also many cases where the celebrities earn even more fame for leaving a company, like ex-idol actor Masahiro Motoki (2009 Academy Award winner for Okuribio). For JYJ’s case, however, this is the first time a group has been blocked from public music programs by the force of their powerful ex-agency for fleeing the company.

Netizens made comments such as, “The principle of someone becoming a betrayer just because they left after been taken care of doesn’t many any sense. The agency is blocking their activities and making a hindrance… Was it even right for them to take care of them in the first place. I’m a bit skeptical, but they definitely should give back the amount they’ve grown and give them the right of choice” and “I believe there is a lot to learn from these foreign cases.”

Source: AKP
Original Article: Nate

Comments

[lovelysasusaku.livejournal.com]

All I see is TVXQ.
Shit, JYJ should just win and then the whole mess will stop. Gosh, I mean I moved on. I moved on as a Cassie that JYJ and TVXQ are two different groups. I hope every Cassie will accept this fact. We will wait until the 5 come back though.

Oh btw this article just shows that Japan has a better system. Arashi are still together because of that I guess.. It's their 12 year guys!

[liime-arix.livejournal.com]

That's because JE kinda owns their souls now.

[liime-arix.livejournal.com]

Can you not have 'Jap' in the title? It's a derogatory term to refer to Japanese people.

[hergracious.livejournal.com]

Will change :)

[6rystalis.livejournal.com]

SMAP <3

[covermeblack.livejournal.com]

:D <3 I listened to them when I was a kidddddddddd..

[maple88.livejournal.com]

I believe there is a lot to learn from these foreign cases.
Wow, there are k-netizens out there that have some common sense after all.

[mentality34.livejournal.com]

of course. just that common sense don't usually make it into articles ):

[tiffa666.livejournal.com]

Akanishi Jin under WMG.<333

[joshtin-22.livejournal.com]

Jin is still under JE. Warner Music Group is just his RECORD company.he needed that so he can release his cds.

[691979082.livejournal.com]

Wow, 1-2 year contracts? I don't even know if American companies do that. Though, I think over here we tend to do "per album" instead with music artists. That's interesting, though. As much as I love my Japanese artists, I'm still really ignorant about their business practices.

[hergracious.livejournal.com]

Ikr. That part really about 1-2 years really caught my attention.

[mayam-mj90.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I heard that JE really takes care of their artists. You cannot ask for a picture or autograph if you meet your idol off-duty. Something like that.

Basically, their private lives are very much taken care of. JE is awesome like that. I don't know how they do it. Maybe Johnny has super powers. :P

[aozora7.livejournal.com]

i used to get pissed off by that ridiculous rules but now after i see what's going on in K-Pop fandom i'm glad JE set those rules.

Johnny-san owns the world lol

[miki-chan08.livejournal.com]

Maybe Korean entertainment companies should really take a page out from the Japanese companies books... Though again, both have pros and cons within their systems.

[perfume.livejournal.com]

Of course their talents never file contract terminations. If they mess with da Jumisho, they'll be blacklisted from the Japanese entertainment industry all together and kiss their career goodbye.

[liime-arix.livejournal.com]

People seem to forget that. Especially in JE, you're not allowed to have any promotions/even a blog until after a certain amount of time after leaving the company.

[umbrella-smile.livejournal.com]

In TVXQ’s case, the main problem stems from the 13 year contract deal

No shit, Sherlock.

[lydzi.livejournal.com]

You know something isn't right in this world when you hear people say that JE's entertainment is well managed.

SKorea it just shows how really really really low you are in this department.

[jonghyunf.livejournal.com]

true

[katzsong.livejournal.com]

Yeah, JE might be a cockblock for other artists but they treat their talents well.
and one of two year contracts? whoa, sounds like my contract now XD

[liime-arix.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say JE is the epitome of a good company since they basically own those boys, which is why you don't get their actual/unblurred pictures on drama/product websites. And don't forget Johnny has be charged for not only molestation but also being a bad guardian (for boys who once upon a time live in a dormitory). But since JE is like the mafia that has such a control over the Jent industry, they can get away with a lot.

[qrizta.livejournal.com]

they r 100 times worse and scarier than any korean companies can ever be imo.

[maiyana-05.livejournal.com]

humane relationships shared between the company and their artists

point should be taken! it's time Lee Soo Man shows enough kindness and let the three go so there won't be anymore bad blood between his former artists. PRIDE and MONEY, the vain of all evil! EEEEVVVVVEEEEEEELLLLLLL!!!!!!!

[imyoona.livejournal.com]

Lee Soo Man?

[orenji13.livejournal.com]

This article forget to mention that JE changes its policy based on lawsuit filed by Kimura Takuya, and JE still hold his regime and even got more power from their drama adventure.

So I failed to see how the changes in K-ent contract will harm that precious 'hally wave' or their idol industry.

[letseaticecream.livejournal.com]

Because being mediocre in Japan brings them more money than being great in Korea. The size difference in their music industry is staggering.

[addictine.livejournal.com]

SMAP... I wish my KIdols last like them

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

atashinchi no danshi!! loving ur icon!!! :)

[lenra.livejournal.com]

mte

OT but

[superjesster.livejournal.com]

your icon is flawless, OP. July 15 ;___; Sobs.

Re: OT but

[hergracious.livejournal.com]

thank you! snape's reveal is coming up and everything is ending so soon ;-;

[karerou.livejournal.com]

Because Japan Entertainment companies respect their artiste. See my JE boys.

[foxxxygrandpa.livejournal.com]

1) pay them

[ahmtal.livejournal.com]

A special characteristic about Japanese entertainment agencies are the humane relationships shared between the company and their artists.

*thinks about pre-debut!kat-tun's 12 mini concerts in 12hours straight* so, is it just j.ent or is that principle only applied to officially debuted bands?

[raiknii.livejournal.com]

wait we're saying johnnys is an example of a great agency? uhhh I can't say they're definitely true but what about the consistent molestation rumors?

[lydzi.livejournal.com]

Well there's no dormitories anymore now. I think they ended with Tackey and Tsubasa. They are the last ones to have known the infamous dormitories :/.

[lydzi.livejournal.com]

Except I don't give a fuck about Yamapi flying solo, JE, GIVE ME MY FUCKING NEWS.

Are you me? ^^ I love Yamapi but right now, I just want NewS. We have Yamapi's solo, Tegomass doing another single, Ryo doing something again with K8. NewS? nothing. I can't believe the non existant promo they had for their dvd Livex3.

[icedevil0289.livejournal.com]

I just love how min is the only one not looking at the camera.