Official letter from SNSD, marking their 10 month anniversary:

To: Everyone who loves SNSD

Hello….This is SNSD.

This is the first time leaving a message on our homepage…
We should have greeted you earlier…TT  TT

Since our debut…for the past 10 months…we received your abundant love, and worked hard and actively promoted till now. We believe that we were able to receive this big love due to the cheers from those who love us.

In retrospect, weren’t there a lot happy memories?^^
Our long awaited and dreamed of debut stage…the first fan meeting of our lives, after our first stage performance…the moment we broke down in tears after winning 1st place on a music program for the first time…winning the new artist award that we envied during our trainee days as other senior artists won them TT  TT .. Starting with ‘Into the New World’, ‘Kissing You’, ‘Baby Baby’ until now..^^ Because we received so much love, we remained joyful despite our busy schedules.

For everyone who gave these gifts of wonderful memories, our…fans, thank you…^^

The past 10 months that we have ran without rest have remained as memories that we cherish…but looking back, there were moments that we regret…These regretful moments have made us more mature and come to many realizations..our inappropriate speech and behavior, misuse of informal speech on broadcast - we would like to send our sincere apologies to everyone who was inflicted with scars by these incidents. In the future, SNSD will be more careful in our speech and behavior.

Once again we would like to thank everyone who have believed in us and loved us..
For all our fans who cheer for us anytime and anywhere, holding those pink heart balloons..
We don’t think we can find any words that can express our deep gratitude..
To express our hearts..With more effort! With all our hearts! We will sing.

We are currently preparing to come back with a new image.
In order to give back to everyone who have shown their unchanging love for us, we are studying harder, and putting in more effort..please look forward to us~

Always stay healthy and happy!^^<3

Translation credit: soyboy@ShenYuePop!

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This seems to be their official apology letter addressed to *people that love them. I think we should end all of this chaos with SNSD’s sincere apologies. This may bring relief to fans from either side who are tired of bickering, or perhaps disappointment for sadistic spectators who relish in spewing invective and Soshi die-hards who feel indignant. Yet, I am glad to hear that SNSD members are willing to admit their mistakes and improve. So now it’s your turn, Soshi fans, to apologize. And stop accusing SYP and Cartel fans of fabricating their offenses because SNSD has already admitted to them. Because in this era of fandom, in which SNSD’s popularity flourishes in, Soshi fans must know that they make or break their stars. Hopefully, the Cartel fans’ boycott will be a reminder to all stars and their respective fan clubs, not just SNSD and Soshi, that if you want RESPECT, then you should give it first.

For all those who are wondering why SNSD received the silent treatment and why ELFs, Cassies, and Triples are at war with Soshi, I am the same as you. Many of you fans or spectators may have some inkling of why they are bickering, such as the incessant scandals, the infamous Haptic CF, rude behavior, and personal attacks by fans. But I just can’t fathom why such a shocking degree of violence was displayed at the 2008 Dream Concert. Many spectators (and perhaps fans) may think that it is absurd that young kids are resorting to violence over relatively “petty” matters. I cannot wholly agree on this view, but I must say that I see this as only a side effect of what is going on in Korea. So I would like to share the REAL reason behind this violence.

I decided to write this article because as I was researching and translating blog posts on the events that took place at the Dream Concert, it seemed that the pages were bleeding red, like this.

Translation: THe country is going to pieces and you’re fighting over this?

I came across so many of these posts. At first I dismissed them, thinking that it was a simple excuse to divert attention from what happened at the Dream Concert. But after a while, I looked more closely at them and I realized that this was the very reason why these young kids became monsters and the Dream Concert became a nightmare. They were just releasing all their pent-up anger and anxiety that has accumulated in their personal life, family and society.

The citizens of Korea have recently taken to the streets in massive numbers to protest the resumption of U.S. beef imports. In April, the newly inaugurated Korean President Lee Myung Bak visited the United States to strengthen South Korea - U.S. ties. “South Korea reached a deal with the United States last month to open its market wider to American beef. Prior to the agreement, it only allowed in boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age” (Reuters). Young cattle, under 30 months, are at a lesser risk of being contaminated by mad cow disease.

In 2003, South Korea imposed a blanket ban of 3 years when cases of mad cow disease broke out in the U.S. Last year, Seoul resumed U.S. boneless beef imports from cattle under 30 months but even that trade was stopped after quarantine inspectors discovered bone chips and spinal material in several shipments. This tainted the U.S. reputation and caused Koreans to be more wary. However, this recent deal has allowed all cuts of U.S. beef from cattle of all ages. Other US trading partners such as Japan still will not lift their own ban on U.S. beef imports because of concerns over mad cow disease and its deadly human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (BBC).

“The level of public anger over the deal — which was meant to be a high point of President Lee Myung-bak’s visit to the United States last month and his first trip abroad since taking office — has clearly taken the government by surprise” (Reuters).

People have taken to the streets in protest of the government’s decision to lift the ban. On May 31, 2008 more than 40,000 protesters gathered on Sejong Street in central Seoul to protest, saying that this move does not protect consumer from mad cow disease. More than 10,000 riot police clashed with demonstrators, using water cannons to disperse them. In more extreme cases, some police used batons to beat demonstrators, leaving dozens hurt and bleeding on the streets (BBC).

On June 10, 2008, Koreans flocked to the streets and marched towards the Blue House, and held a candle light vigil. More than 100,000 citizens gathered all across the nation to hold a candle light vigil against the police violence and display a silent protest against the government’s actions.

You wonder why kids have become so violent. Well, it’s because they learn from their surroundings - where police are beating up innocent civilians and the people live in fear of their government. All 50,000 kids at the Dream Concert were playing out their own fears and anxieties - the fear of their voice being castrated, the fear of something they cherish being taken away, and the anxieties of a changing culture, disintegrating social structure, and the loss of liberty. The fearful eyes of these kids reflected the nation’s turmoil, and their silent protest was loud and clear. The ghastly cries of the fans in the stands show that their struggles as a younger generation parallel the struggles of their parents who are fighting to keep the future of Korea safe from the hands of corrupt politicians and corporations and to keep the light of democracy burning more fervently than ever.

This is why we see young kids taking the situation into their own hands - either through impressive demonstrations or cowardly attacks. (I’m not justifying the actions of some psychotic fanboys and girls who decided to physically attack other kids all in the name of their stars.)

Many well-informed Korean celebrities have cried out against this issue, including Se7en and SUJU Kim Heechul. However, the most outspoken celebrity so far has been actor Lee Junki, who slammed the riot police for their overzealous clampdown on protesters who held daily street demonstrations. He defended the protesters, “The people in Korea are struggling to make ends meet everyday and have been getting by through their patriotism and confidence towards the nation. But they really can’t tolerate any longer with this decision and so this is the result (demonstrations). They have no choice but to take to the streets in peaceful demonstrations to state their point.” The Korean government is gravely at fault for such a rash reaction. The people have the right to protest peacefully. Why? Because the government is for the people and by the people. WE shouldn’t be afraid of our leaders; the leaders should be afraid of us, the PEOPLE.

I bet some wise-cracks will have enough guts (but not enough brains) to leave comments, such as “You don’t have to eat U.S. beef if you don’t like it.” Don’t display your ignorance so conspicuously. The very act of shipping in meat that the U.S. doesn’t even eat means that Korean citizens are worth less than the average U.S. citizen. This is a violation of human rights. Why should Korea be forced to BUY “junk” from the U.S. in order to pass a fair-trade deal? What happened to the “fair” part of the deal? There is nothing fair about this. U.S. law makers and the U.S. Beef Association are at fault for imposing a ludicrous deal that endangers the citizens of an entire nation. The U.S. should stop acting so high and mighty and be ashamed of using the Big Stick diplomacy to spread its economic domination in this era of globalization.

Now there’s someone bound to call ShenyuePop an anti-American site. Guess what, I’m American and I’m proud to be one, through rain or shine, and victory or defeat. America is the land of the free, and the home of the brave (Support the Troops!). Repeat, Shenyuepop is not an anti-American site that professes anti-American sentiment.

And guess what? This is not an isolated incident. The U.S. Beef Association (and I bet a few other associations, such as corn and soy), with their giant lobbyists in Washington DC didn’t tell you that this “junk meat” actually ends up on our dinner plates, excluding vegans and vegetarians. Many also probably didn’t know that in February 2008, the LA Times uncovered a contaminated meat packaging plant, leading to a big meat recall. The lobbyists just quietly muffled cries of contaminated meat ending up on school lunch plates that feed 30 million low-income children in federally subsidized school lunch programs. But this is what actually occurred behind our backs: “Hallmark/Westland Meat in Chino bought cheap dairy cows and processed most of them into ground beef, which does not get a USDA grade and tends to be the catch-all for scraps and less lucrative cuts of meat” (LA Times). Wake up America, we our feeding our kids scraps that pigs don’t even eat! Read more about them here >>>>

Here’s some pics of dairy cows that eventually end up on our plates:

Look at them closely because I took them myself while holding my breath because it stank so much. These cows are crowded in a pen, sitting in their own feces (yes, that’s not dirt; it’s dung) steaming under the hot California sun. This is where our milk and cheese come from, before these cows get slaughtered to be turned into hamburgers. Just imagine how many hormone and antibiotic injections they need to get to survive in these conditions.

Or take a look at this dead one lying on the dusty road side for someone to pick up.

Some may be reading this and thinking I’m an animal activist. I’m not, or I would not be a meat-lover myself. But this kind of animal abuse should not be tolerated. This dairy farm happens to own more than 10 acres of land right next to this 1 acre distorted heap of cows, where these cows can freely graze. Of course, some readers may think I value animals more than humans. I don’t - I value them equally. Why are people drinking milk that has become a chemical concoction of hormones and antibiotics? This is not only a violation of animal rights but also that of human rights.

Check this out:

Video footage released January 2008 by the Humane Society showed workers using electric prods, forklifts and high-pressure hoses to force weak and sick cattle to their feet so they could be slaughtered. Cattle that cannot walk are banned from human food out of concerns of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease. Doesn’t it just make you want to become vegetarian?

All in all, there is much virtue in what adults or what our more informed peers tell us: Wake up! We are living in a world of lies, deceitful disguises, and violence. What we saw at the Dream Concert is just the tipping point of this century’s revolution. But it is our duty to mark this century as the era of peace and happiness, not the era of pain and suffering. So let’s keep the entertainment industry from becoming an arena for fandom craziness and animosity. There is too much hatred in this world already. For those of you who are so wrapped up in this fandom, WAKE UP! Learn more about the atrocities and injustices that are going on around the world and find a way to help the people both near and far from you. Because at the end of the day, all this bickering between fan clubs will only hurt your beloved stars and will only leave you ignorant of more urgent and significant matters in this world.

For those who are complaining that this article doesn’t belong in a Korean Entertainment site, then you should go elsewhere. Several readers complained that this site does not do any research and the articles are based on unsubstantial evidence. TAKE THIS. And if you are still complaining that our articles are not well-researched or shows only one-side of the story, then you are unabashedly hypocritical.

Darfur Genocide (pic above) - The U.S. and UN were unable to help Darfur genocide victims for the past 5 years, incurring more than 400,000 deaths. History repeats itself - we still haven’t learned our lesson from Rwanda.

China’s earthquake, Tibetan Independence, War in Afghanistan and Iraq, Global warming, Rising oil prices…just to list a few

Save Mother Earth! Peace

But for those who care less about the big picture, here’s a list of what “Cartel” fans and SNSD are fighting over. These matters below may seem relatively insignificant compared to the issue at hand; however, they are still social and cultural issues that teenagers and young adults are grappling with in Korea. So please respect the social customs and try to understand why these fans find these actions intolerable.

In the last post we promised a through researched base article where we tell you the reasons fanclubs pointed for the Dream Concert’s Silent Protest!

Before we start let us remind ourself a sad truth:
No matter what we say and think ..
it is not our opinions that matters .. it’s those who are living in Korea, those who breath that air and pay these artists that has a saying~ Sad reminder for us all .. we are the international fans after all .. no matter how hard you want to prove yourself otherwise we are the ones that don’t matter much to the Korean entertainment industry! We are the ones due to unfamiliarity with the Korean culture don’t understand what was really going on with the event that night and most of the stuff we read about fanclubs reasons behind the protest doesn’t sound logical to us! So keep in mind that at the end of the day it is important what Korean side of the story thinks, more than what you and I think!

We are dedicating this post to few fan accounts and mostly the reasons that has been listed by the Korean fans for disliking SNSD! Please have in mind that these are just the tip of the iceberg of what caused the protest! So take a minute and read Korean fans reasons for the alliances! Oh and since you don’t see these stuff around the SNSD fan forums doesn’t mean they don’t exists! The translators in such forums don’t tend to mention any non-positive news or article about their artists, all those Tiffany’s news incidents with junjin and actor Kim Ji Suk never saw the light of the day by them! For those of you called us biased and asked us to cover all the sides of the story .. i gotta tell you, all you read around after the incident is sides of the SNSD fans in the English side, I am sure they have done a lovely job explaining all the wrong doings of the fanclubs against them .. therefore, there is no reason for us to cover those parts! However, I strongly suggest you to act like a civilized person for once (this is to the SNSD die-hards that are full forced on mission spamming the comment section and desperately beg the readers to not believe any of this) read all the possible sides of the story and at the end of the day it’s your own choice to decide what you want to believe!

Unlike what it is being assumed SNSD fans were only one of the reasons behind the protest .. it was the SNSD members who actually created the starting blocks for the event!

Reasons Behind Cartel’s Actions:
1. Shinhwa
-Jun Jin
SNSD appeared at Sungmin’s DMB radio program as guests and they made fun of Shinhwa member JunJin. They called him “Justin Jinberlake” and Tiffany made a mockery of JunJin’s “Wa” dance from his solo performance, while other members were laughing and giggling.

Here is the video with the translation if you need it

Shinhwa fans were enraged that SNSD could be so disrespectful of their seniors, especially to Shinhwa, a legendary idol group that has amassed immense popularity for the past 10 years in the industry.
SNSD members were forced to personally apologize to Junjin.

-Shin Hye Sung
SNSD Tiffany also made rude comments, such as “Shin Hye Sung’s voice sounds like a goat” and “Look at Shin Hye Sung’s hair”.

-Lee Minwoo
When Lee Minwoo, in a playful manner, bowed and greeted SNSD first, what happened was that while the rest of SNSD were bowing, Hyoyeon (towards the right end) was the only one who didn’t and just stood there holding the hands of her members and preventing them from bowing too!
Here’s the clip(starts at 2:11):

(For those who have been reading this, it may seem absurd that we are arguing over these “simple” matters. But you don’t understand because this is Korea and there is a big cultural gap. Comparing this to American standards is not fair or reasonable because Korea is not the U.S. and Korean customs must be respected. In Korea, age is a big deal and in the entertainment industry, when you debuted is also a big deal. That means young kids must bow first to adults at 90 degrees. New artists must also call senior artists “sonbae” (senior) and use formal dialogue when conversing. These are Korean customs that must be followed, regardless if you’re a top public figure or not. In Korean society, respecting your elders is of utmost importance and I hope all the readers will understand why small slips of tongue can be a big deal in Korea. And if you’re Korean or Korean-American (living in a bicultural society) and you don’t understand this and think this is “petty”, then you should know better because you are Korean.)

- Using the word “garbage” for other groups on TV

On Happy Sunday program, there was a corner where two contenders tried to force each other to say “garbage” in order to win the game. On this day, SNSD’s Taeyeon sat across trot singer Park Hyun Bin and asked “What do you think of Shinhwa in Korea’s music industry?” In response, Park Hyun Bin said, “Garbage” in order to not lose to Taeyeon. However, SHinhwa member Kim Dong Wan was sitting next to them as a guest on the program. Both Taeyeon and Park Hyunbin were at fault. However, even if it was scripted, Taeyeon should have known better to not ask that question, instigating Park Hyunbin to respond unfavorably. Does it make sense to say this in front of a senior 10 years above herself?
Here’s a clip (starts at 4:32):
080413 Snsd TaeYeon Cut on Miraculous Victory and Defeat

2. Super Junior
-Tae Yeon came out on Kangin’s radio program and called him an “idiot” in korean so Kangin had to defend for Taeyeon and tell listeners she accidently mispronounced the word, and that she did not say that on purpose.

-On a show program Tiffany said “Lee Teuk” instead of “sonbae” when calling him to get his attention.
(In Korean there are two forms of speaking to someone and you must always formal speech when talking to elders–sunbaes.)

-SooYoung appeared on Star Golden Bell and lied that Lee Teuk only escorts girl trainees back home and accused him of being a player for which he got a lot of bashing for and a bad image in the media. This erroneous rumor spread like wild fire on the news.

-On Chin Chin Radio, Evan (a singer) appeared on Chin Chin radio and was talking with Sunny and Sungmin when Sungmin suddenly said, “Leeteuk is the same!” Then Sunny shot back “How dare you compare him with Leeteuk” = “How dare you compare Leeteuk to Evan?”

When asked what she didn’t like about the 1st album , Suhyun said she didn’t like the wigs they wore because Super Junior T wore it. Other members asked, “Was that the same one Shin Dong wore?”

Tiffany also said SNSD is not a unit and that many people think they are because of Super Junior. She said, “Some people are afraid that we might break up into groups like SUJU, but we are ONE. Taeyeon’s “IF” is that of SNSD, “Oppa Nappa” is also that of SNSD. After she said this, Kim hee Chul and Lee Teuk were mad and upset and wrote on their cyworlds that super junior is “one” as well.
Here is the video - it starts at 1:50
080430 SSGB Ep.120 - “Oppa Nappa” enters the Top 100 chart

—————
SNSD’s fans Conflict with SuperJunior’s fans
—————
-In the case of SUJU, on the Taeyeon-Kangin radio program “Chin Chin”, -Taeyeon said a cuss word that eventually Kangin had to take responsibility!
Specifically she called him a “retard” in korean it’s a cuss word. In return Kangin had to defend for Taeyeon and tell listeners she accidentally mispronounced the word, and that she did not say that on purpose.

We all heard how Taeyeon received over 300 hate comments that day!
*
Here is the other side of the story!
-SNSD fans went to SUJU Kangin’s fan cafe and bashed him like there was no tomorrow with words that a living person could not say!

Soshi fans wreak terror on SUJU fan clubs
Kangin Fan club terror:
SNSD fans bashed Kangin on his fanclub site, leaving messages:
“Kangin ….that bastard”
“Look at that picture of him, he looks constipated”
“Bastard…..he’s like a booger”
“I just want to press you down with my feet…”

Leeteuk fan club terror:
SNSD fans left these sweet sour words for SUJU’s Leeteuk:
“How are you an angel without wings?
crazy bastard ..haha.. you’re not an angel, you’re probably a ghost, you bitch”
“….I’ll rip your penis off”

Sungmin’s fan club terror:
liberal spamming of “Have sex with me Sungmin”

One more reason to add!
SNSD fans call SUJU’s DongHae “Oh, the one who’s fatherless.”

and at the night of the concert!
This is the a proof that the banner was not taken away …
by the guards for creating more seats!

Dream Concert - What happened to E.L.F.?

3. S.E.S
SNSD commented that it would be difficult to follow S.E.S. because its members are artificial. (Looks who’s talking!)
And they added that SNSD is this generation’s beauties. (Source)

4. SS501
-When Tiffany saw Park Jung Min, she said he looks like he’d have 10 bank accounts and that he looks funny from far away.
-During the program, Tiffany also exclaimed “omg HIM”?! when she saw Park Jung Min. She has no right to be an MC.
-SNSD fans made fun of SS501’s Kim Hyung Joon, saying “he looks disgusting.” They also made fun of Park Jung Min.

At the night of the concert!
Here is the fancam of a scene SS501 fans were getting bitten up by SNSD fans

This is what she wrote:
This is a picture of the entrance on the first floor
where Triple S fans (SS501) were beaten by Soshi fanboys,
They prevented us from going down stairs and stopping them.
I just cried while watching them
My heart is weak… (Credit: Naver blog)

5. DBSK
Same as what happened with SS501 and SUJU; some members of SNSD did not use formal speech when talking about DBSK and calling their names, like saying “Xiah Junsu” instead of “sonbae”.
- Jessica guest starred on Park Kyung Lim’s Outing. Park Kyung Lim asked Jessica who her favorite artist was and she said DBSK. Then Park Kyung LIm asked which member in DBSK she liked and she said “Jaejoong”, not using formal speech to say his name.
- Tiffany showed how witty she was by saying DBSK’s wave of red balloons looked like insects.
- SNSD fans were upset about the CF that SNSD did with DBSK so they accused DBSK of sexual harassment to give DBSK a bad image and creating a buzz in the internet.

Disrespectful comments in DBSK’s chatting box
This is referring to DBSK’s incident where an anti-fan gave them a drink mixed with superglue that got Yunho sick and sent him to the emergency room.
One SNSD fan wrote: “Instead of medium-strength super glue, I want to see them swallow extra-strength super glue”

And at the night of the concert!
There were no comments, such as “SNSD Disband”.
(Fans say that they have heard of this ‘petition’ for SNSD to disband; however, the dream concert organizers, “Cartel” fans, were not aware of this.) but while SNSD was singing, there were fans shouting “Wonder Girls!” instead that it must have hurt SNSD fans. There were also accounts that Wondergirls fans were crying because of this…because they were so moved.

Another fan account, from a Cassie
I was constantly kicked in the head and was hit by balloons by SNSD fans. I got fed up and told them off “Stop it you bastards”. From that point on they started hitting my head with their fists. I remember exactly, there wasn’t just one person, but 5 or 10 that came to my seat and started beating me. SNSD fan girls were just looking at the scene and giggling….while some fans were so alarmed that they were talking of calling the police. I couldn’t defend myself and just patiently hoped that they would stop. When they left, I went over to the SUJU side to ask my friend for help. She took me to the hospital. When I awoke the next day at 2 in the afternoon, I found myself in a hospital bed with my mother humped over my bed, holding my hand tightly. I have bandages around my head…it seems like my head was ripped open.

6. Big Bang
SNSD made fun of Tae Yang’s real name “Dong Youngbae”, saying “What kind of name is that? It’s not even “Dong Young sang” (videos).” They probably though they were so clever that they could rhyme Young bae’s name to the word for videos in Korean.

7. Epik High- Tablo
Taeyeon was on Kangin’s Chin Chin radio when she saw Tablo at the computer. She said, “Doesn’t he look like a leet “오타쿠” ?
(For those who don’t know what leet means, you can look it up in “Urban Dictionary”. But leet is an internet word that has evolved into referring to gamers or computer hackers who are stuck in front of their computers. But in Korean, it also has negative references to the Japanese.)

8. Happy Shares Company (만원의행복) show program
SNSD members were rude to the program PD (producer & camera man), intentionally hiding Yoonah (the guest) and giving her food to eat, which is against the rules on the show. When they were finally caught by the PD, they shook their head and said, “We didn’t do anything” and then at the end, blatantly admitted that Yoonah ate something.
The PD said, “For someone who is young, you shouldn’t do this, Yoonah.”
Yoonah replied, “I’m 18,” while blinking her eyes innocently.
Yuri, who was standing in front, said, “We are old enough ~” while Taeyeon grabbed the back of her neck and pretended to fall to the ground, expressing that what the PD said was not “fair”.
Obviously the PD had every right to speak his mind, and the way SNSD was treating him was very rude and inexcusable.
SNSD then performed the song “Girls Generation” that starts with quite fitting lyrics “Don’t make fun of me because I’m young…” (Then why don’t they just grow up?!)
Here’s a clip (start at 3:37):

9. Discriminating on show programs
On a weekend café program, SNSD called a trot singer “Sparkles” (referring to the bright sequined clothes they wear) and said, “Get money from Sparkles~”. The members delayed the serving the singer, saying amongst each other “I don’t like Sparkles”. They made their contempt for the singer evident while showing favoritism for some baseball players also at the café.

10. YoonA Disrespected Tei
YoonAh guest starred on Tei’s “Island” radio program. Tei greeted her with a full bow but Yoonha just gave a small bow as if greeting a B-list singer. Tei is not a B-list singer; he is one of the top ballad singers in Korea with a voice to die for.

11. Wonder Girls
- Soshi fans went to Wonder Girls’ fan signing
One SNSD fan went to the Wonder Girls’ fan signing and asked Sunye to sign “Right now is Girls Generation”. This fan also dared to post a picture of Sunye singing this online.

- Remarks related to Wonder Girls
Whenever SNSD asks “Do you like Wonder Girls or SNSD?”
they grow cold and silent towards people who say “Wondergirls”.
- SNSD girls did mic tests while Wonder Girls was rehearsing. (Couldn’t they wait until Wonder Girls finished performing? Why do they always have to be an interference?)

12. Tiffany disrespected Kim Ji Suk
As we covered this incident before actor Kim Ji Suk’s English was corrected on air by Tiffany and caused him embarrassment for the rest of the program. This is when Kim Ji Suk is fluent in English himself and he was raised in England and lived in the United States for some years as well!

^ (Tiffany doesn’t sings the lyrics correctly herself either)

13. Christmas Charity volunteer activities
For a Christmas charity event, SNSD planned to visit a nursery to take care of kids. However, SNSD was late for the event, leaving only 20 minutes to take care of the kids. And during this time, there were so many reporters at the scene that all SNSD did was to take pictures with the kids. (It was just a publicity stunt to enhance their fake image.)

14. When Nation Got Offended
Yuri made a slip of tongue, saying “My country” instead of “Our country” when referring to Korea, causing a national outcry. (The news)

……………………………………………………………………………………..

This is for those who doubted the knife!

^ this is for those who said it’s his cellphone!
—————————————————————-
At the end here is what cartel wants to say to soshi fans!
Soshi fans, you guys brought the downfall of your beloved stars. Don’t you know that in this “fandom” that dominates the Korean music industry, FANS make their stars. It might be quite unfortunate for stars themselves but it is the sad truth that fans will either make or break their stars. The rude, obnoxious, unethical, and inhumane actions by Soshi fans testify that they represent the same kind of stars.

A message from “Cartel” members:
“CHEERS ARE WAYS FOR FANS TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THEIR FAVORITE ARTISTS! WE CAN’T GUARANTEE THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN.” (Credit: Naver)

Sources: Naver

______________________________
Full Credit When Posted Elsewhere
Source: Reuters, BBC, Sports Chosun, Naver, LA Times, Youtube, Newsen, Washington Post, damienkatz.net
Credit for ShenYuePop.com: ShenYue! + soyboy
No Additional Credit Should Be Added

The most significant issue on the Dream Concert 2008, which has already been reported in the forum, was the “Silent Treatment” of all the present fan clubs towards SNSD  members and fans! For the first time ever in the history of KPOP (as far as we know) all the present fanclubs in the concert boycotted a single group: Girls Generation (SNSD)!

During the SNSD performance, other fanclubs remained silent and turned off their light sticks .. this only left the SNSD fanclub cheering for their group, making SNSD’s official color pink as the only visible color in the stands!

Before SNSD performance

During & After SNSD performance

Fans Boycotting SNSD at Dream Concert 2008

The reason?
Was it this girl Tiffany’s fault?

The one who is hated the most in the group?
The one who doesn’t stand a chance to NOT disrespect her seniors in the name of being raised in the U.S. and unfamiliar with the Korean culture? The one who puts down her own group by messing up the dance moves intentionally to grab attention to herself or make fun of respectful singers only to embarrasses the whole entire group in public?

because this is the girl who couldn’t even stop seeking for attention even on the red carpet before the concert that day! appearing in the shortest skirt and making a ridiculous pose, trying to stand out, making you speechless in return!

But NO! It’s not! That is not the ONLY reason!
We are doing a thorough researched based post on the reason’s behind the event shortly! But for now we would like to share insights of noonoo_shoo the person who wrote the lst post’s article on the event. Some like noonoo_shoo believe some of the reasons might lie in the unfair marketing plans of SNSD by SM and such. This is not the only reason but prepares you for what we are going to present you later!
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The dream concert happenings fell into a cycle of things in such a short time, it started off as sheer amusement of the boycotting and silencing of fans, I couldn’t help but laugh ….

Then I saw what SNSD fans did to the Super Junior banner!
During the SuperJunior performance (Before SNSD performance) some number of SNSD fanboys ran toward the Super Junior Banners and ripped them apart, right in front of the ELF and SuperJunior on stage!

Evidence?

I guess the fans retaliated because they didn’t want to take things lying down, since their mostly boys it sorta makes sense, although i must add that real men know when to admit defeat and take things on the chin. Yes, they admittedly dampened the celebrations, cos I do really love suju for their passion, for their personalities, dudes entertain me and i like em.

That wasn’t enough I had to go and read the comments on the soompi thread (sometimes i hate soompi for the idiots there) and got bloody pissed off.

This was done because of SNSD, why? Because these girls ARE rookies, they have NO respect for their sunbaes (seniors) they just jump around like their the popular girls in high school. And seriously, does the movie “mean Girls” not pop up when you think of a reality show in their dorms?

There are plenty of reasons WHY fans are so pissed off, because believe it or not idiot soshi fans your so called STARS are riding on their seniors coat-tails of success, where some have worked hard, they have gained without effort. Where some have spent endless hours perfecting routines, perfecting songs, they get number 1 by kissing lollipops. Anything SNSD have “gained” is because of who paved the way ahead of them, and its not like their walking their path, no, their traipsing around all bouncy showing their panties to the world. How are we supposed to respect them, want them to succeed, how can self-respecting fans clap and cheer for them knowing that they’ve been born in to the world of showbiz with silver spoons and bought awards??? its sickening.

Cassiopeias are pissed off for more reasons but they’re mostly pissed due to the fact that most of the attention they are getting is by them associating themselves with the boys, by saying they trained with them, they’re friends, by appearing in Commercials with them, by making them look close and happy. Are they really that close?? my money is on no, actually I take that back, my money is on HELL NO. The Dbsg boys trained immensely hard for years to get where they are, they’re overworked, sleep deprived and are still passionate about what they do. They were taken at the height of their fame and thrown in japan where they became nobodies. They gained so much humility, respect for themselves and fans, experience and wisdom some stars get after decades of work. They built themselves up again even through such hardships and extreme homesickness. Its not difficult to respect them. They’re personalities alone are enough to get them far, but their hard work, passion, talent and perseverance can only make them go farther. Yet, SNSD with no said talent, not much passion, no personality get popular just by being under the same label, training and being put in scandals with them. Piss take, dontchathink?

ELF are angry because of almost the same thing. They have suffered for a long time because of the sub group business, SM doesn’t take them seriously and SNSD instead of getting their own gigs, feed off of their oppas. SUJU took a while to catch on and be seen as such good MCs, DJs and guests, they had to be recognized and accepted in the industry to be where they are. But what happens with SNSD, they just put them in the boiling pot with them, I swear when SNSD came out, i was like what the hell is going on, is SM putting in a buy one group get one free offer on Suju and SNSD??? FAVORITISM IS ONE OF THE LARGEST ISSUES.

also, boybands like SS501 feel the pain of cassi and elf, SS501 had gone through so much only to stay in the industry, a place that you can only make it if you are from SM, JYP or YG~ ok, they can argue but as i said in another post, die hard fans feel for each other, because they know how hard it is to break in to the business for their stars, the difficulty they had to face, the criticism from the public and th harsher criticism from themselves. SO when Tiffany claimed she liked the leader of ss501 before debut, it was almost like, ITS NOT BAD ENOUGH YOUR MOOCHING OFF THE SM BOYS NOW YOU WANT DSP.

Is it so hard to work your ass off to be recognized for your talent, unless of course you don’t have one, then you have to milk other artists on your label and others. they take advantage of other peoples popularity or popular news, Yoona saying Andy was her ideal man when all eyes were on Solbi and Andy as a couple??

Good god realize this, this isn’t just a punch in the face to your noonas you crazy fanthugs, its a personal insult to the artists and the fans that they got everything from doing and having nothing. I will never respect SNSD unless they spend years working hard in the industry proving their talented, their professional and well-intentioned. And i can rest assured it wont happen, because fame is their only driving power and they will never stop being those stereotyped high school giggly girls that you want to avoid.

Also, SM needs to take note that talent is something a group needs to gain popularity, not just a pair of unseemly legs.
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There are many behind the scene issues of happened at the night of the concert that never got the light of the day through the media coverage! In this post we are trying to bring out points to make you familiar with the reason behind the act as much as possible also a short recap of what went on at the event!

The Dream Concert held on June 7 was delayed for 20 minutes because there were too many fans trying to get in at once.

On this day, there were no security guards and concert organizers to be seen in the stands to ensure the safety and cooperation of fans. There was only supposed to be a crowd of 35,000 concert goers, but 50,000 fans showed up trying to get in.  Many were buying expensive tickets that went for $500 or more. This so called ‘Dream Concert’ was set for disaster.

Problems arose when a stadium that only fits 35,000 people tried to accommodate 50,000 instead and fans started fighting for good seats. This was particularly the case when SUJU fans and SNSD fans started pushing and shoving, using violence to get seats - turning the ‘dream’ concert into a nightmare. You can obviously see in the pictures that fans are being pushed off the railings to fall.

However, the very first reports we read on the actual fight between the fanclubs is actually from days before the concert! where SNSD fans been fighting with other fanclubs on the concert message boards! It’s reports that SNSD fans were very rude to the other Fanclubs online and even went as far as telling them to boycott SNSD beforehand because they said SNSD doesn’t need anyone’s support. This may explain the fact when they even initiated the fight during the SuperJunior performance (Before SNSD performance) and some SNSD fanboys ran toward the SuperJunior Banners are ripped off the SUJU banners right in front of the ELF!

and what SNSD fans think about it? Here is one …

fcuk@soshistalker.com
June 8, 2008 at 10:40 am
when I saw that video of ELF crying like some animals about to be slaughtered I don’t feel a sh*t for them (I laughed actually). you know why?? because those are the same FC that harassed and in the end caused a girl to commit suicide because of a trivial matter! that should make them cry, not their freaking banners being torn!! Cassiopean are the same! these 2 FC bring bad name to Korean music fans!

Even thought the “Silence Treatment” was planned a few days ahead …
Evidence?

we even heard the rumors about it! But SNSD fans kept on adding oil to the fire!

There is also news coming that after the “Silence Treatment” SNSD fans left the stadium when SUJU and DBSK were performing (this was confirmed by many fan accounts … it not a rumour!) only to disturb the other fanclub members. There are many reports of SNSD fanboys threats and physical attacks, stabbing by knife and even rape by to female members of other fanclub!

Fan account: I went with a friend but we sat separately. I’m a Triple but she’s a Cassie. Suddenly I get a call from my friend who was crying and telling me that she was scared. While she was going to the restroom, she saw a Cassie who was being beaten up by boys holding pink balloons…and she told me it was on the level of gang violence. Among the Triples there was also news of being beaten by Soshi fans!

The situation was so frightening that Security asked everyone to walk in pairs!
According to fan accounts, other fan lclub members were beaten up by SNSD fanboys - some had their hair ripped out, raped, stabbed with a knife and had broken legs, and were taken to the hospital.
The news that is being reported now is very minor on these events and they are purposely leaving out these isolated incidents.
Evidence?
http://www.nakorean.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=7898

Here is a pic of a SNSD fan who had a knife with him. It was one of those swiss knives
The deal was that this person was waving around the knife but he took it out of his pocket and was constantly sharpening his knife in front of alarmed Cassie fans he also threatened them to treat them while on the way home!

One girl broke her leg and went to the hospital and told her that she needs crutches for 4 weeks! just because someone pushed her . But luckily, a fellow ELF helped her get out of the stadium as she was limping!
Evidence?

Translation to the picture of the girl with a broken leg:
“I wasn’t going to post this picture up.
But the Soshi boy-fans…hahahaha… said there was no evidence
I’m wearing crutches..hahahaha…how about this
If you say that I’m still lying, I might as well put up my medical examination
You guys should really keep you integrity…hahahahaha
If I had the heart, I’d like to post my phone number and talk with you via video?
But my cell phone is currently messed up”

After the concert the one decent fan wrote to SNSD fans:
“I’m a guy just as you, bastards”
I’m a guy just as you bastards –
I’m a guy just as you bastards –
I’m a Soshi fan also; however you bastards…
How can you hit, kick, rape and stab girls with a knife –
You guys are totally Soshi Pshychos

Not only the fans but the artists weren’t safe from SNSD fansboys!
There are many reports that SNSD fanboys threatened ELF to rape Kang In and Sung Min from Super Junior! And this is when you have Sung Min writing to the ELF after the concert asking them to support SNSD from now on!

SUNGMIN’s MESSAGE TO E.L.F. translation by ak6c @ soshified

o the most lovable angels in the world that made SuJu shine at the Dream Concert…

Did you go back home safely?

I’m not so sure exactly what time it ended because I was too tired…

I hope you didn’t have to spend the night at a jjimjil room (steam room) or some place that’s not your home because it ended too late…

Yesterday, all I saw was our blue river everywhere~ did you know? hehehe

The top right… middle left… back of the stage… even at the side where you can’t see the stage…

It’s sad that not all the ELF fans could see the stage together
I hope we can get seats with a better view next time.. hehe

How’s ‘Cook King’? Do you like it?
I like it.. keke the dance is fun too

………………….
………………….
………………….

Ah… you know our SNSD girls…
I heard you didn’t cheer for them? ^^;; I see our ELF is mad?
We’re one!!! kekeke I wanted to yell that out too~

But we showed to you yesterday that we were one! ke
Super Junior KRY+T+M+HAPPY = 1

I think the SNSD girls understand now too~
that they have to listen to their SuJu sunbae’s well!
Weren’t they punished enough till yesterday~?
So please cheer for our SNSD girls from now a lot~

Because we’re SMTOWN!
SNSD is also a part of our SM Family like E__~
It’s okay to dispute for a little…
but if you goes on without any resolvement, the family itself can be destroyed T_T
So cheer them on from now on ^^

I think it’s for SuJu as well!
If I think of it further ahead, I’d like to ask you to cheer on for all the singers…
Actually because our E__ is very very nice, I saw our E__ cheering the other artists a lot as well.
Sometimes even louder than us!! kekeke
Just joking. But cheer them on to a point where SuJu can feel a little jealous and want to work harder! ^^ ke
Let’s show them that we’re the best!! Making us feel thoughts like this as we go on the stage.. ^^

But if it goes on for too long I’ll quit!!

I wonder if I’ll get scolded? ^^;;
But still… even when I was feeling sick yesterday… it was our SNSD girls that took care of me and worried for me^^

If SNSD fans rip off the banners of SUJU in front of ELF and SUJU eyes
if they stab fans to death right in front of their eyes and send them to hospital!
They sure can rape suju members as well! Just saying!

and while SuperJunior members are going out of their way messaging their fans to support SNSD. The mighty members of SNSD didn’t even care about the way their fans were acting!

The message from SooYoung says:
The cheers from the fans was fabulous! You guys are the best <3

The way they have disrespected their seniors in the past, no wonder they also cheer up on all the stuff their fans did to the other fanclubs!

What Korean Media did instead?
Well SBS edited the whole performance .. made it sound like nothing really went wrong!
They shamelessly added ELF cheering parts to the SNSD performance video to make it sound as if nothing was out of the ordinary!
Evidence?

watch how .. around 2:28-2:37 they shamelessly inserted SUJU ballons in the video!

SNSD members were said that cried after they performed. There are reports that Lee Teuk (SuperJunior’s leader) also cried after the Suju performance because some SNSD fans ripped the fan-made Super Junior banner while they were singing, right in front of their eyes!

Yet, it is true that SNSD were booed off the stage!

It is also true that many fanclubs cheered for Wonder Girls when SNSD was performing, which moved a lot of WonderFuls (WonderGirls fanclub)

But SBS (If you also look at the WonderGirls performance) edited the audience part as if the whole stadium was dark during their performance as well! It’s true that DBSK fans kept their red lights on only when DBSK performed .. but the exaggeration of the edited versions are beyond one’s comprehension!

——————————————————————————————

Dream Concert Part 2: Wrong doings of SNSD fan club

1. Walking around with a knife, threatening Cassies and ELFs
Why in the world would anyone bring a knife to a concert if he/she didn’t have the purpose to stab someone with it? SNSD fans are a bunch of low-life thugs.

2. After SNSD’s performance, SNSD fans left the stadium in a group
SNSD was rude enough to leave the stadium after the performance of SNSD, deliberately missing out in the performances of DBSK and SUJU. There are many fan accounts that prove unlike what they claim they never cheered for other artists either!

3. ELF (SUJU fan club) attack/battery
The girl in the wheelchair with a broken leg is just one example of SNSD boy fans beating up ELFs. There are currently reports of 3 ELFs who had to be taken to the emergency room.

4. ELF sexual molestation
Actual fan account:
“A friend of mine was taking a long time to comeback from the restroom, so I called her. She picked up the phone and told me that she was in a certain row, naked and crying. She was going to the restroom when a couple guys came up from behind and ripped her clothes and touched her body and took pictures and then left. They looked like high school boys…she says she doesn’t remember anything but that the boys were holding pink balloons.”

Source: http://kin.naver.com/detail/detail.php?d1id=3&dir_id=30401&eid=BYbu1pEWQJZiLpaZVzqI4c8hQglMdqBs&av=point&page=1

5. Cassieopeia (DBSK fan club) attack/battery:
Cassie fan account, personally from the victim:
“I was constantly kicked in the head and was hit by balloons by SNSD fans. I got fed up and told them off “Stop it you bastards”. From that point on they started hitting my head with their fists. I remember exactly, there wasn’t just one person, but 5 or 10 that came to my seat and started beating me. SNSD fan girls were just looking at the scene and giggling….while some fans were so alarmed that they were talking of calling the police. I couldn’t defend myself and just patiently hoped that they would stop. When they left, I went over to the SUJU side to ask my friend for help. She took me to the hospital. When I awoke the next day at 2 in the afternoon, I found myself in a hospital bed with my mother humped over my bed, holding my hand tightly. I have bandages around my head…it seems like my head was ripped open.”

6. Tearing down SUJU and DBSK’s banner
Fans saw SNSD fans ripping the banners for SUJU and DBSK, enraging many fans. And making many more cry!

7. SNSD fans used words that a human should not say to incite other fans
[Warning: This is disturbing!]
SNSD fans were cussing out other groups and saying the following:
“We can kick their stomachs so that they can’t have babies”
“We can just rape the girls”
“Those crazy bastards, if they’re going to do it, they should do it right”
“They’re screaming like crazy bitches”

8. SNSD fans cussed out other singers while they were performing
SNSD fans shouted “bastard”, “bitches”, and “Shut up” when other artists came onto stage. This doesn’t compare to the 10 minute “silent treatment” that SNSD received.

9. Attack/Battery of ELF/ Cassie/ and Triple fan clubs
So far, ELF has reported 3 members who were taken to the hospital; Cassies have 2; while Triples have many injured members.

We will continue to update readers of any incidents that are reported …
But here’s Soyboy’s opinion:

SNSD fans WAKE UP! All of you and SNSD don’t deserve to be in Korea’s music industry. What the hell is this? How could this happen between fanclubs of the same company? You’re finally bringing everyone down. SNSD and their fans are a pretentious bunch of garbage that don’t belong in the spotlight. Even in sports, if a team is playing ugly, against the rules, or just plain being rude, they’re going to get kicked off the field. SNSD and their fans are displaying bad sportsmanship in a competitive arena. It doesn’t matter how talented they are… if they are a bad sport, they need to leave quickly. The Dream concert was supposed to give hope and dreams for young kids just as its name suggests; but instead, it has caused more hurt and pain for many young kids. SNSD and their fans need to APOLOGIZE and BEG FOR THEIR FORGIVENESS!

But in return this is what they (SNSD FANS) will respond you!
QUOTE ((YoonA)TaengSica @ Jun 8 2008, 11:24 AM)
This motherufcking cocksucking peice of shiitfuuckingdickface I dont give motherfuuckingshiit if i get banned on soompi but that just cut it coockfuucking patheticass little piece ofshiit you should go fuucking die. Burn in motehrfuucking hell dickfuuck cocksucking piece of shiitfuuck dont say fuucking shiit if your not even fuucking sure about what you say worhtless fuucking shiitface koreans dont hate snsd assfuuckin dumbass, you dont knwo fuuckingshiit about love do you pinkberry cuz your PROBABLY fat and ugly and retarded. they dont deserve that shiit you fuucking cockface they tried their best on stage and its their first fuucking time in DC. who said you had to love snsd if you dont like them fuucking shiit face, its just respectful to atleat fuucking clap but booing? wat the fuuck? fuucking inhuman cumfuucking shiit heads like you otta go fuucking get killed. they dont need to love every artist, we never said they needed to fuuckface now get the fuuck out and dont ever fuuckign come back u fuucking dipshiit loser, and divine justice? waat the fuuck? are you fuucking 8? fuucking make no fuucking sense
(Source: http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=223527&st=420&start=420)

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Credit For ShenYuePop!: ShenYue! + soyboy01 + tealfirestar07 + Tangera + rayna
Source: Naver blogs: http://kin.naver.com/detail/detail.php?d1id=3&dir_id=30401&eid=BYbu1pEWQJZiLpaZVzqI4c8hQglMdqBs&av=point&page=1

OOh yes, to take advantage of our new ShenYuePop privilege I’m going to be contributing the first Kpop expose I’ve done, especially for this site. Its for all those of you out there who just don’t get scandals and why theyre done in the first place. Ive used the scandal of the first half of the year “taesu” as a case study.

So if you have a spare moment my friends,
get educated in a way they dont teach you in school.

A short introduction in to the world of Kpop, SM entertainment
with a case study of the Taesu Scandal!

Ok, so a lot of you are not too clear on the idea that the Taesu scandal is a scandal or two stars caught in the act. I fully understand the confusion and so thats why I thought it would be interesting for you to have an insight in to the world of Kpop, the media and more specifically SM entertainment. This article isnt about the Taesu scandal itself but I’m going to use it as a case study to prove my point. I’m going to try and cover all the areas of confusion and try to shed light to my reasoning. I am being completely neutral here and if I were to express my opinion I will state that it is just that. First things first, if you want to understand the logic of Scandals being orchestrated by the management of an artist, you need to understand a few things about basic Business.

Simply put, it’s all a case of Business
The number one goal in terms of any business, is profit. Businesses spend millions on Market research and development each year to gain the most returns on their products. The lifespan of many products released each year are quite short, and thats where the ‘product life cycle’ comes in to play. Everything that you see in shops, television or even in schools and politics can be fundamentally linked back to the formula of the product life cycle. Businesses need to keep their products in the stage called ‘Maturity’, where basically the product has already been established and profitbility is high, while costs are relatively low. Products left in that stage are referred to as ‘cash cows’. Everything reaches the decline stage eventually, but depending on how the business deals with this stage, they can choose to either stop production and let the product go in to decline or try to set it back to the maturity stage. That can be done with Marketing, more specifically advertising. Thats why you can see Pepsi and Coca Cola spending so much money using the biggest stars of the moment in all their ads every year. Yet sometimes adverts just dont get the amount of attention they can gain, and thats where one of the most affective marketing strategies come in to play, Publicity Stunts.
Here is a list of the top 10 Publicity Stunts in Business.

So, what has that got to do with the Kpop Industry?
It has everything to do with the Kpop industry. Kpop of course is show business and everything that applies to business is directly linked to it. Strategies are adjusted to fit the industry itself as of course the Korean Pop Industry is reflected upon the Korean culture and Korean society. Thats why marketing in Korea will be different to say the United States, publicity stunts are also different in the States than Korea. Check this link out if you want to know more about publicity stunts that are more Western centric. South korea of course, is more of a conservative country, making the Western approach to publicity inapplicable. Yet easy to administer to Korean pop culture by using it as a guideline. Basically, its easy to say that sex sells and that works extremely well in the west, but in Korea a watered down version of it cuts the cake a little more smoothly. Hence, the Lee Hyoris, ChaeYeons, Jewelry and of course SNSD. Why SNSD? Mostly because their marketing is just that, a very watered down version of sex. They appeal mostly to males because of their shortness of skirts, cleancut bubble gum pop with a slightly provocative underlying meaning and bright and bubbly demeanor. SNSD is a well marketed tool by SM Entertainment, innocent enough to use the ‘cute’ image, but if you look well enough you can see that they are selling their sexuality. Smart move, ne? Hiding their true purpose underneath a larger cleaner image. And thats what takes me to SM Entertainment.

SM entertainment, Marketing Powerhouse
Its no use denying the fact that SM Entertainment is one of the most influential and powerful entertainment companies in South Korea, also responsible for a large portion of the Music influence of the Hallyu Wave. SM Entertainment has a large portion of the Pop Market Share in South Korea, and what got them there is there ingenious Marketing Strategies. They have studied the industry well and have developed their own strategies to getting their Artists to the highest plateaus in their chosen career. That’s why they have Business students coming to Korea to have lectures in just that, Marketing and the Hallyu Wave.

I’m sure some of you have heard about Harvard Business Schools students coming to attend the lectures and more recently MIT Sloan School of Management students. Admittedly they are more well known for their Musicians and there’s no doubt in saying that they have got their image and marketing down pat. Just take a look at BoA and TVXQ!, undoubtedly at the top of their game and can only get bigger, they are the ‘cash cows’ of SM Entertainment, and they are not afraid of milking them dry. Hence why, you will see them being used for marketing for their Juniors quite often. Just look back to TVXQ!’s debut, where they appeared in a Britney Spears and BoA showcase, and TVXQ! were used for Super Juniors debut, the ‘Show Me Your Love’ collab is proof of that.

TVXQ & Super Junior - Show Me Your Love [MV]

Ok, so what about the Scandals?
Marketing strategies differ from one artist to another in the South Korean industry, whether the entertainer is simply a Radio DJ, Comedian or Singer, you’ll find that their marketed in different ways. Thats why some entertainers are more inclined to get away with more than others, and why if some celebrities are caught with their pants down, fans and the public are more forgiving. What you need to keep in mind about SM entertainment is that they are in the ‘Idol Making Business’, so if they were to have their stars dating others in the company or out of it, its bound to cause more of a stir than and average entertainer.

The ‘Idol making Business’?
Yes, SM Entertainment specialises in making ‘Teen idols‘. That’s why if the particular idol is female, she is most likely to have more male fans than female, and vice versa in regards to male idols. Now, if you consider the two idol groups at question, SNSD and TVXQ! its easy to see their appeal to the opposite sex and its no doubt that their fan base is largely populated by the oposite sex. These idols make a heck of a lot of money by just being physically attractive, and by their availability in the dating sense. SM knows that and uses that to their advantage, fans of ‘idol groups’ tend to be very dedicated and ready to spend a lot of money on their favourite stars. SO they concoct plenty of schemes to gain more fans and to get more money out of their stars, and what better way to do that than keep them in the public eye, and constantly in the news. How do they do that, besides of course making them active in music industry as well as opening doors for them to branch in to acting, letting them do charity work or even better yet, involving them in juicy scandals with the opposite sex.

You mean like the TaeSu scandal?
Yes. Its a part of human nature to gossip and to be curious, thats what makes celebrities such a large topic of interest. They’re public figures who allow us to watch them over the metaphoric garden fence. And if you found out your neighbour was having an affair with the milkman, wouldnt you be interested to find out the sordid details and find out more about her and the milkman? Ok, thats more of a housewife analogy but look at it like this, say you don’t know anything about the two involved in the scandal, but youre interested to know more about them and their history, as you look through site upon site, you start to take more interest and perhaps in the long run, become a fan yourself.

So are all scandals false and just used for publicity?
Not necessarily. Scandals can be true, two entertainers dating can be discovered by the public or the media and the information can be released. When it comes to that, its mostly those in the media that chose when to disclose that information. After all the media industry needs to make money from this information too. How do they make money? Lets look at the Korean Media world, people who read the news in Korea do it mostly through the internet. And every click that goes in to the big news sites gives money to the site itself, how? Through ads on the pages you read. Its a small amount but say a news agency gives a scoop with suitable evidence to back it up, the news would spread like wildfire and people will clamour to read all the details. The amount of clicks could possibly lead to millions, and at 25Won a click, it could lead to a heck of a lot of money. For example, did you know that the Korean Media had evidence and previous knowledge of Kim Jongmin and HyunYoungs relationship a year before it was released? They kept it quiet as to gain the most amount of attention right before he left for the military.

Now, for the juicy stuff the TaeSu scandal, is it true or another fabrication of SM? Personally I believe its a bunch of fodder, like I previously stated. But here I’m going to attack your questions or possible questions about the legitamacy of my claims.

Firstly, doesnt SM have rules about dating?
Yes, SM has rules about dating, but not the kind most people seem to have in mind. The entertainers are allowed to date, but are told to keep their extra curricular activities as undercover as possible. Like going to places that don’t have that many fans, keeping a low profile, wearing disguises and similar things. They are highly encouraged not to though, as of course the consequences can be severe if anything got out, and thats in regards to the entertainer themselves. The company can play some damage control until things blow over. I’m pretty sure loads of you have read about wildboy Kangin and his many relationships, but that just adds to his ‘badboy’ image, if you can call it that. Kim Kibum also admitted to dating after debuting, better yet a noona, which coincidentally is the role hes playing *a younger guy dating an older woman* So I guess we can conclude that their not banned from dating, but discouraged.

So, the two could actually be dating?
Now, this here is me talking from my very own opinion, do you guys honestly believe that those two would be dating just from those photographs alone?? Use your better judgement and think of it rationally.

Do these two faces look like two people dating for a while
and spending some well needed quality time together?

Perhaps, if the pictures were more incriminating I would understand all the hubbub, but for someone who knows a little something about dating and has 21 years of life experience under her belt, I can say that these barely even tell me that they are glad to be in eachothers company as friends.

But these guys on the other hand look delighted to be together.

^ if someone photoshops junsu and taeyeons heads on these guys
i would love them for life!!!

Lol, yeah im only kidding, but the simple fact that the pictures and fan accounts leave room for doubt, is a hint of a staged scandal. IF they wee seen canoodling or better yet kissing and just simply some proper couple behaviour than cant be mistaken for friendship, it would be a little more convincing. Not for me, but perhaps for the public, I have no doubt in my mind this is staged, mostly due to the stuff on the actual stage too. For people that have suffered in the past for scandals, and by that I mean DBSK, do you think they would try to jump around with someone their dating on stage for all the world to see? Its common sense not to, and even if Junsu didnt know better, I think his hyungs would, who have been caught dating after debut.

But, what if they actually are dating?
Something I truly doubt is true. But if you push and push and want to know to the answer to that. I must say that if these two are in fact dating, then they are being exploited for the sake of benefiting the company.

How could them two be rumoured to be dating be benefiting the company?
Now, this is the juicy bit for me. It benefits the company immensely, as I mentioned before TVXQ! are a ‘cash cow’ for the company. Theyre fully established, make a lot more money than most, have a record-breaking fan club and are considered entertainers with substance. (By entertainers with substance I mean entertainers who can elongate their careers as they are individually seen as entertaining as well as talented, so basically theyre loved for their personalities as well as talent) In fact, its not considered much of a threat to fans of TVXQ! but extremely beneficial for SNSD. SNSD are quite plainly a group in need of support and attention, they are relatively new in this industry, so a scandal like this that isnt really inflammatory can do wonders for their careers. Just look at the fact that the news of the scandal has already reached the Chinese media, its quite simply a tactic of ‘fame by association’.

What this does is that if they choose to promote SNSD abroad, they will have articles written about them in the media, like this fake one I just wrote…

SNSD a new girl band making appearances all over China have caused quite a stir with their cute and lively ways. SNSD is a popular Korean girl group, whose leader Taeyeon has been rumoured to be girlfriend of popular band TVXQ!s Xiah Junsu.

etc etc etc

And whats the best weapon when your trying to gain popularity, attention. People who read that will check to see who this Taeyeon is and as i mentioned before, curious readers are potential fans. Just look at the Park Taehwan and Wonder girls leaders news as an example. They release rumours that theyre dating everytime they need publicity.

Haven’t there been rumours before that they’ve been going out?
Theres no proof that that is in fact true. If there were rumours before with substantial evidence, then you would have gotten news of it a long time ago. What I can say about these rumours popping up after this scandal broke out is this. On the internet people would do anything and say anything they feel like doing, so if news like this comes out then some people, just for the sake of drama, start throwing around accusations and so called ‘eye witness accounts’. Thats why you cant believe everything you read on the internet. I’ve read plenty of so-called ‘fan accounts’ on this whole thing that are so obviously fake and the work of anti-fans. The anonymity of the internet makes it possible. SO please dont believe every account youve read, it could just be there to fool you.

Won’t rumours like this make either person get anti-fans?
It may be surprising but entertainment companies actually prefer having anti-fans for their artists rather than having none. What happens is the anti-fans contribute to the attention factor. Anti-fans feel passionately about the artist too, they just are not in favour of them. So, what do antis do, they go online, search for stuff about the artist, post stuff about them and try to drag their popularity down. But instead what it does for the company itself is, increase hits on the search list for their artists. What that does is on the surface create the impression that the artists popularity is on the rise, and it makes other people who are neither a fan or anti-fan curious as to why they are so popular. And what have we said before? Anybody is a potential fan, even antis. A case of antis switching to fans is when say the anti-fan senses that people are going too far, and starts to sympathise with the artist, and in the long run they can start to support them just for that. Going back to the Search list, some of you may be aware just how important having your name in the Search list is for an artist. It mean that people want to know more about you, that people like you or better yet they are fans. That equals money, how? People are most likely to click on the official sites in order to find out about a star, those sites have a counter on them, calculating the amount of clicks a day. The more people that search, the more interested Advertising agencies and other companies would want to use their artists as spokespersons. And the more clicks, the more money SM can ask for. Yes, the key is to think of artists as commodities and not people, after all this is all a world of business.

Can’t they just pay off the big newsites and not bother with staging it?
The kpop industry is one driven by the internet. So you can say that netizens and technology are what create news and drive the market. Netizens are also very opinionated and have no problem to voice their concerns and at some points shame the media. So the media is very wary of them, and must be as convincing as possible when publishing news, in regards to entertainment and artists. A lot of the time, netizens are the ones that make the news and are not easily fooled. So, if your smart, which we’ve established SM is, you need to make them think that theyre the ones that discovered the news. That is also a much cheaper method, all they have to do is feed on the technology obsessed fan culture and tell their artists to overact, be seen together in obvious places in suspicious circumstances and sit back and watch the fruits of their efforts, for free. And it doesnt even have to be very convincing. All the while, making the fans think that they have made a large discovery, and didnt it just, how many fan accounts, pictures and fancams have you seen claiming their proof of TaeSu?

What about Cassiopeia, shouldn’t they be riled up about it too?
Let me tell you a little something about Cassiopeia. Cassioepeia is quite a fanclub, one known to be acknowledged even by SM as a force to be reckoned with. The fanclub is not in fact run by SM, it has ties with it as an official fanclub, they liaison, but of course they are run by the fans themselves. So there of course would be a fanclub president and a heirarchy of people who are in charge of certain things within the fanclub. So thinking that the fanclub itself would go berserk about the whole scandal is wrong. People a part of the fanclub, yes maybe, but not as an official movement. You have to consider that they are now a part of the Guinness book of records and have to live up to a certain standard. The Fanclub is made for the benefit of the artist and not the company, they think of the boys first. They wouldnt act officially, like they did a while back when they ordered a boycotting of SM goods, unless it directly threatened the boys future. I wouldnt be surprised if the fanclub held SM entertainment in contempt. I guess you can say that the relationship between SM and Cassiopeia is that of a daughter in law and a mother in law. You may hate the mother in law but without her you wouldnt have your precious husband. So unless they thought that something needed to be done, they would just leave things be for the sake of the boys. So do Cassiopeia know this is a publicity stunt? Most likely, but they cant do a thing about it, afterall the boys benefit from the publicity as well.

So what would happen if they did get riled up?
That’s no longer in the ‘IF’ category!

SNSD arrival at the DREAM CONCERT 2008

^ Look for Tiffany! with the shortest skirt, highest heels
and with the over the top pose!?

it seems that after months and months of poking at the wounded ribs of Cassiopeia by SM Entertainment and years of torment for the Super Junior pro-Only 13 ELF fans, they joined an alliance in this years DREAM CONCERT with other fanclubs, namely the Triple S supporters of SS501 to stage a silenceing throughout the SNSD performance, and turning off all light sticks.

Fans Boycotted SNSD at DREAM CONCERT 2008 [FANCAM]

What pushed them so far, its of course the ongoing scandals and games SM entertainment have been playing on fans and the public, namely the Haptic scandal commercials which ended up introducing said scandals, and the TaeSu scandal may have perhaps been the final straw for Cassiopeias. Furthermore, it seems fans are angry of the attention the SNSD girls get, namely Tiffany who claims she had a crush pre-debut with every male idol under the sun. The attention goes to them and pushes negativity to their own stars, also one needs to consider that these girls are rookies and have not worked as hard as the established stars to achieve their dream, so all this attention and publicity is sure to make fans of Seniors in the business angry, and do I even need to mention the SNSD-SHinwha business?

Now, what have they gained from this silenceing business?
The main objective was to show SM entertainment that they can try and play with their artists and their reputations as much as they want, but in the end, the fans have the control to make or break people in the business not them. It was meant as a united stand against the SNSD publicity stunts and their outrageous outbursts. You can say, other idol fans have had enough of girls flashing panties, excited male hormone-driven fans getting all the attention for doing just that, flashing their panties. But, this didn’t go entirely as planned. Rumour has it SNSD fans got wind of the plan and tore down a Super Junior fanmade banner, breaking hearts of Super Junior fans. Fan wars can get ugly, other rumours state that fans of larger groups involved in the boycott of SNSD were attacked by SNSD fans after the concert, some say even by knives.

^ an SNSD fan holding a knife!
These pictures were posted in Daum by a Cassiopeian.
She was saying this 2 guys were waving the knife in front of them and threatening them.
Telling them something like “You should try going home and….”
And then someone in ELF got stabbed. (translation: capri-shiqi)
Some other account report of a Triple S fans who also got stabbed by SNSD’s fan with pocket knife! a 14 year old Cassiopeia is reported that was beaten up to death! All the victims were sent to hospital.

We can all agree that boycotting a performer may seem harsh but it is in no means physically harming to the artists or their fans, intending physical harm is something gangsters do and cannot be taken lightly. Remember fandom is meant for your entertainment and it is not something to risk your life or health for or the health or lives of others.

As an afterthought I would like to mention a little something. I myslef was qutie disgusted when I first found out just how money-driven and corrupt the ShowBiz industry is. I didnt like the idea of being seen as currency and neither did I like that the artists where seen as a means for gaining currency either. In fact I was downright outraged, as a fan I wanted to just stop bothering with the industry, why support something so corrupt? And then the outrage died down and I realised a little something. Everything in the world that deals with money is corrupted, so does that mean I had to cut out of my life everything that had to do with that? Politics, Business, the Food and Beverage industry. So if I was going to boycott all things corrupt I might as well be living in a hut in the middle of nowhere, raising cattle and growing crops. the real world is a cruel and tainted place, why complicate things by reading way too much in to everything. Enjoy the industry for the sake of enjoyment, take it lightly, have fun with rumours, take part in the discussions but dont let it rule your life. As long as the entertainment industry is sticking to the fundamentals of entertianment and as long as I’m entertained what should I care. I like a lot of people in the industry, I love TVXQ!, they are a bunch of boys who are talented and hardworking, who have great personalities and do just that, entertain me. So I will buy their albums, I will watch shows they’re on, Buy their DVDS, I have no qualms about spending my hard earned money that way, because afterall their doing their jobs, I’m being entertained, why should they suffer for it? Ok, so Im buying in to the deceit but isnt life too short to take things so seriously.

There are people out there, celebrities who are seeking fame for the sake of fame, dont care who they have to step on and what they do and I dont like them. Who dont work as hard and reap more rewards than people who are extremely dedicated. If I choose to mock them in my little ways and take part in not so positive discussions, thats my choice. They put themselves in positions to be criticised, as public figures we have a right to pick them a part, its a part of democracy and free speech. they know what their getting in to beforehand. Perhaps I;m being hypocritical, for equally adding positivity and negativity and accepting them, but I’ll say it again, just enjoy it, if you take it too seriously you’ll only end up hurting yourselves. This stuff has more of an affect on our lives than we know, when we grow older we’ll think back at these times where we loved boybands and remember them fondly, perhaps even laughing at ourselves and how ridiculous we may have been. I remember Backstreet Boys and Nsync and love those times while I get embarassed by how much it took up of my time, yet I am grateful to the people that worked so hard to give me alittle something to amuse myself with. The drama it caused in school life and how we saved up as 12 year olds *i didnt do the math i dont remember how old i was then* to buy magazines, tape cassettes and CDS when they became popular. I came back to that world when I got in to the drama of Kpop. The media circus of Kpop is a drama in itself and its almost as entertaining as the Mini-series’s and movies they come out with and thats why I follow it. It has created a world in which I can forget the stress of my education, job and personal life and thats what the Entertainment industry essentially was. An escape from the harshness of the real world. SO appreciatte it, have fun with it, enjoy it, but please dont let it add to the stresses of life. take care of your mental health. :3

ALL THE CREDITS TO: noonoo_shoo from SYP FORUM
THE WRITER MAY CONTACTED FOR ANY QUESTIONS