Every year K-pop will receive news of this or that idol leaving the management company. There are people who have only been active for a short time, and there are also people who have been active for more than 7 or 8 years but still have to ‘get rid of their clothes’.
In the past, if idols had an unfavorable time leaving their agency (often involved in drama), they would often face difficulties in the Korean industry, and some were even blacklisted.
Typically Girls’ Generation’s Jessica and TVXQ’s Junsu, JaeJoong and Yoochun. Even when an idol’s departure goes smoothly, their career often loses momentum because they no longer have support from longtime companies.
However, this seems to be changing. Over the past year, the K-pop music industry has seen a wave of idols leaving their management companies but remaining in their groups. Typically, BLACK PINK and BIGBANG left YG, along with members of SNSD, Super Junior, EXO and SHINee leaving SM. So what is behind this situation?
Contract restraint and unfair treatment
For a long time, the public has been accustomed to idols being closely associated with their management companies. For example, when mentioning BLACK PINK or BIGBANG, people immediately think of the management company YG. Similarly, when mentioning the names of groups like EXO, SNSD, Super Junior or SHINee, the public will immediately remember the management company SM.
Idols’ music and fashion styles often reflect the image their companies have meticulously built. Companies are responsible for producing music, organizing activities, and shaping the idol’s overall public image.
Management companies have become an important part of idols’ lives, from their early days as trainees to becoming stars.
However, this relationship is not always rosy. Behind the glamor on stage are countless challenges that only insiders can understand. The reasons why idols leave the company despite having been with them for many years often stem from issues such as unfair contracts and labor exploitation.
On June 1, 2023, fans were stunned by the news of EXO, Xiumin, and Chen filing a lawsuit against SM, seeking to end what they called a “slave contract.” The trio requested detailed records of their income and payments from March to May of that year. However, SM refused to reveal information to them.
EXO-CBX accused SM of forcing artists to sign long-term exclusive contracts lasting 12-13 years, constantly asking for early renewal, eventually extending the contract to 17-18 years. Including trainee period. This means that artists will be with SM for more than two decades, making them feel pressured to sign “slave contracts.”
After a period of negotiations, SM and EXO-CBX finally reached a settlement agreement. They continued to work together until January 2024. At that time, Baekhyun announced that he would “go private” to establish I&B 100 Company, directly managing his personal activities.
Two members Chen and Xiumin also decided to join Baekhyun’s new company and work together under the name of group CBX (small group of 3 EXO members).
Unfair treatment is another factor that makes many veteran idols decide to leave their companies. When debuting, rookies will receive full support from the management company. However, after gaining popularity, companies often begin to neglect veteran idols to focus on rookies. G-Dragon leaving YG is a typical case.
