Is October Taking a Turn for the Worse?
After a streak of two-day happiness, from five hot major music videos to head-to-head rookie debuts, the past forty-eight hours have been a delight for many kpop fans worldwide. However, that excitement was cut short with the shocking developments of some recent controversies. One month ago, people were waiting to wake up when September ended, but has the curse of male idols infected October as well?
Let's take it back a notch and check out the events of last month.... fangirls beware, the following list may trigger emotional trauma. You have been warned.
[JAEBEOM of 2PM]
09/05: Jaebeom's MySpace comments unearthed
09/08: Departure from 2PM & Korea
09/13: Hottests begin widespread boycotts, protests and projects
09/13: 2PM activities churn to a stop
[HYUN JOONG of SS501]
09/08: Diagnosed with swine flu, stuck in Japan
09/16: Returns to Korea a-ok
[G-DRAGON of BIG BANG]
09/09: Plagiarism issues still questioned
09/20: Sony warns YGE about plagiarism
09/24: YG responds to plagiarism accusations
09/25: Teddy responds to plagiarism accusations
[JAEJOONG, YOOCHUN & JUNSU of TVXQ]
( July & August: Disbandment rumors are legitimized, lawsuit develops, activities are suspended, world implodes )
09/11: TVXQ & SME refuse to budge on conflicting views
09/11 : Absence at 2009 Dream Concert confirmed
[KANGIN of SUPER JUNIOR]
09/15: Charged with assault, claims innocence
09/16: Andre Kim drops Kangin from fashion shows, video evidence discovered for assault
09/20: CCTV video findings revealed
09/22: Kangin decides to drop out of SuJu's variety show Miracle
[DAESUNG of BIG BANG]
( August: Car accident resulting in nose, spine & eye fractures, discharged a few weeks later )
09/18: Unable to perform at 2009 Asia Song Festival
[RAIN]
09/29: Fans scammed for fake Shanghai concert
Now for the first two weeks of October...
[JAEBEOM of 2PM]
Despite an unbelievable movement of worldwide support for Jaebeom, there have been no confirmations Jaebeom returning to 2PM. Hottests are still hotly debating what stance to take & are ultimately split on whether to support Jaebeom's departure or stick with six. Furthermore, JY Park's recent visit to Korea has caused panic in many fans as to whether another recording is in progress. However, this is unlikely as JYPE has denied such rumors, and it'd be unwise to take such a bold action when the subject has clearly not cooled down.
[ JAE DONG of STAR GOLDEN BELL ]
The beloved MC of Star Golden Bell has been booted after four years of hosting the show. Suspicions have arisen as to the reason why this abrupt action has occurred; many upset fans and Koreans speculate conflicting opinions between Jae Dong and the conservative KBS. Jae Dong will be replaced by Ji Suk Jin.
[K. WILL]
Yet another celebrity bogged down with swine flu... pretty self-explanatory.
[SHIN HYE SUNG of SHINWHA]
Legendary Shinwha's Shin Hye Sung has been heavily fined for illegal gambling away nearly W140mil ($120k) in baccarat games in 2007 & 2008.
[KANGIN of SUPER JUNIOR]
After promises to reform, Kangin manages to hit the headlines again for a hit and run at three in the morning. Despite voluntarily turning himself in, Kangin then failed to show up at the second investigation, leaving many to wonder what his ultimate punishment will be in the scope of both SM Entertainment and law.
Furthermore, Kangin was omitted from Dream Concert this month as a result of his assault case.
[JAEJOONG, YOOCHUN & JUNSU of TVXQ]
Despite promises made by TVXQ's leader, the lawsuit has dragged on; ultimately, TVXQ has yet to reach an agreement with SM Entertainment.
[EPIK HIGH]
As Tablo & Tukutz begin their married lives & Tukutz leaves for military service, Mithra is left alone. Activities are put on hold for a few years. (...Okay, so this isn't really a scandal, but it's undeniably agonizing for many fans!)
....And these are just the issues off the top of my head.
Now, I'm sure many of us are glancing at this list wryly. Not to make this a light-hearted joke because these events certainly aren't, but to dig up my old theory of the Holy Kpop Trinity of SME/JYPE/YGE battling it out - most people agreed that JYP's Jaebeom issue was the biggest crisis of September with SM Entertainment close behind. However, with TVXQ complemented with Kangin Scandals #1 & #2, SME's really fighting to collect the biggest scandals of the year.
But then again, hopefully I'm wrong and this is just a single bad day for kpop fans; maybe TVXQ will get back together scot-free and Kangin will be acquitted though he totally deserves some type of punishment for putting other people's lives in danger. Perhaps Jaebeom will be back soon and, with the swine flu vaccine discovered recently, there won't be any other celebrities bogged down with sickness. And guys, cheer up - aside from some of these unfortunate events, October has had some really awesome news for the most part. What do you think?
(Masochists, you're going to love this poll question... yes, you can only choose one.)
16 Oct 2009 - 03:27 AM
1. khunloverx
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