Korean FTC Finds SM Entertainment Guilty of Interfering With JYJ's Korean Activities

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Korean news program "Lee Sang Ho’s Palm News" has reported that the Korean Fair Trade Commissionhas found SM Entertainment guilty of interfering with JYJ's Korean activities for the past two years.

The report states that the investigation of the JYJ case is finished, but it must go through a review board in order to be officially published. However, the FTC has already ruled that SM Entertainment is indeed guilty, and according to Lee Sang Ho, this review is more of a political issue, and will not affect the ruling. According to Palm News, SM Entertainment will be fined for this offense. The FTC and SM Entertainment are currently negotiating the amount of said fine, which is rumored to be around 100 million Korean Won (~$87,000 USD). 

The FTC apparently raided SM Entertainment in March and collected evidence to support the case, but this was not covered by major Korean press agencies. The report showed proof of interference with JYJ's Korean activities, such as letters from the Korean Federation of Pop Culture and Art Industry (KFPCAI), and other officials.

This report was made by journalist Lee Sang Ho, who has been following this story for over a year. Included in the news report is an interview with Jung Hae Im, who was an instrumental figure in minimizing SM Entertainment's thirteen-year contracts down to the current seven years.

In an interview with Korean media, Lee Tae Hwi, head of the FTC, has confirmed the investigations, and states that an official statement will be released once the case has been finalized.

Follow up of the previous post^^
Trad will be posted when available


Source: soompi
            Youtube

Comments

[es2pido.livejournal.com]

Again, DUN DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNN

[es2pido.livejournal.com]

Lol, topped related post as well. WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THIS WORLD RN

[neechee-striped.livejournal.com]

it doesn't surprise me at all.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

here bb

[suzieeq-luv.livejournal.com]

Chump Change

[cher-ex3.livejournal.com]

MTE.

I'm surprised this even happened at all. I guess SME doesn't have as much clout as I thought they did.

W/e. I'm happy for the boys.

[gardenintheair.livejournal.com]

So?

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

That icon is just so CUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE <3

[taylorniw.livejournal.com]

Woah now, 87k? Hefty ass fine. SM's definitely going to learn their lesson now.

[shigeshoshii.livejournal.com]

lolololol They'll never learn. They'll release some cute boys dancing in a box and make up the money the were fined. no big.

[baka-tenshi.livejournal.com]

as long as it's finally on record, i'm satisfied.

[ho-snaaap.livejournal.com]

good. at least /something's/ happening.

[k0dama.livejournal.com]

Even 7 years seems too long. It should be like 3 years.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

agreed

[the3rdjester.livejournal.com]

[suzieeq-luv.livejournal.com]

lmao I love this gif xDD

(http://tinypic.com?ref=2i0q92u)

[2ne3rd.livejournal.com]

SM continues to be evil
nothing new here...

[captainmarvel.livejournal.com]

alrighty then

[apharel.livejournal.com]

Scumbag SM lol.

About damn time.

[luvey.livejournal.com]

SM will pay it. go about their business and try again.
i think JYJ's legal team need to civil sue SMe asking for a public apology and damaged from this. it's the only way it's going to stop them from trying again. to shame them.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Even if they apologize, that would just be empty words.
And the shame won't last cause fans don't really care. They will care for a while and then a new album or else will wash away the memory of the law suit.
But SM will learn, not to be better towards their artist but to have better contract with harder NDA.

Well, let's be positive. They might change their way, but very slowly.

[patentpending.livejournal.com]

So does this mean they get to promote regularly in Korea now?

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

supposedly

[lovejae23.livejournal.com]

at least somethings happening... maybe it won't change much but it's better than people just sitting there doing nothing at all

[weerainbow.livejournal.com]

Yup! I'm happy to see something being done and someone at least trying to make a difference.

[oldwillow-brook.livejournal.com]

But when all things are said and done, what does this exactly mean? What does this do for JYJ per se?

Just because SME is going to have to cough up 100 million won, does that mean they won't be able to use backhanded ways to try to stop JYJ from being able to perform by manipulating station producers? I don't know, I'm pretty sure that SME are still pressuring these stations without any direct confrontation.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Yeah but now station won't have the excuse to say "we don't broadcast band under investigation". If they want to bend to SM pressure they'll have to find an excuse and if they fail to do so they'll be compel to broadcast JYJ.

[uledy.livejournal.com]

Yes. This. For real. SM can't conspire on their own...

[yukahoo.livejournal.com]

It feels like JYJ camp is, by blowing the lid on this investigation, trying to ensure that it will end in their favor. And that it will be publicized. And that the ensuing discussion will be framed in their favor. Smart. Maybe. Idk. But, then again, the FTC might not take well to being cornered like that. I don't really know what kind of entity the TRC is and what their ties to the industry are. Just thinking out loud... Waiting for how all this will turn out in the end.

[hibohabu.livejournal.com]

I've been having similar thoughts. It is weird that the progress and results of an official investigation the FTC has been quietly conducting can be so freely disclosed by a third party and sounds a bit too much like sharing classified information for a scoop to me. I think it'd have been more prudent and respectful to wait for the FTC to announce its own conclusions with full supporting evidence and no room for speculation. That said, I am curious about what the FTC will say too and hope they make a fair call to protect the interests of both management companies and their artistes equally.

[megasourwarhead.livejournal.com]

sooo will things change now? I needs my JYJ in variety shows.

[oldwillow-brook.livejournal.com]

All I keep thinking is Jaejoong or Junsu in Running Man. Stat.

[erbalurbal.livejournal.com]

If this is true why are sm able to "negotiate " their fine?

[puffy-wuffy.livejournal.com]

They cooperated with the FTC and underwent a large restructuring, so they're getting leniency. I'm pretty sure the raid was an inside job, which is why it went unreported. SM artists were and are actively participating with the FTC on new rules and regulations. In many ways, SM became a giant because of practices that should have been illegal but weren't and thanks to SM artists, managers and fans SMTOWN is walking a better path.

[naegastar.livejournal.com]

I'll believe something has actually changed when I see JYJ on music shows/varieties/etc etc.

Also, flawless Matthew Gubler icon OP. I love him on Criminal Minds~

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

(http://pics.livejournal.com/benihime99/pic/000fyw6k/)

[jetaime-pyon.livejournal.com]

what about kbs acting as doormat for sm? do they have nothing on that? =|

[pekojan.livejournal.com]

"Lee Tae Hwi, head of the FTC, has confirmed the investigations"

Did they only confirm the investigation or confirm the result of it too?

Because everyone knows they are doing the investigation already.

[junho9.livejournal.com]

SM SUCKS! and it doesnt surprise me at all.
truth will prevails.