Recent Shinee Drama Summary

[RussianRoulette]

Shawol twitter is an absolute dumpster fire today.

Everything is a bit of a confusing mess so let me try my best to fill you all in.

For some background info, Shinee hasn't had a group comeback in over a year. Their last group comeback was Hard in June 2023. Since then Onew and Taemin have left SM. It was announced that both of them would stay with SM for group promotions but their new agencies would be handling their solo promotions.

There has been absolutely zero Shinee group promotions since Onew and Taemin left though. SM has changed Shinee to just being listed as Key and Minho and anything Shinee related at SM since the two members left (season's greetings, SM Town, etc) has exclusively been Key and Minho with Shinee only being credited as Key and Minho.

(I think they might have come together for some Shinee concerts that was prescheduled? but since then they were pretty much never seen together again.)

When Onew and Taemin first left the members first told us they would be focusing on solo activities for awhile but always promised to have a group comeback after awhile. We were all expecting a group comeback sometime in the 2nd half of 2024 and I think it was even listed in SM's quarterly plans at some point? But it never happened and I know Minho and Taemin did address on bubble multiple times that they tried to coordinate their plans but it just never worked out.

Since last year Taemin's also been on a sold out world tour which he has been getting a lot of backlash from shawol's for since his world tour is also preventing him from doing Shinee activities. His world tour is still actively going on (I see him next month! ) which is probably contributing to why Taemin isn't at SMtown (though fan have pointed out Taemin's had a break in his schedule recently which would have allowed time for him to be in SMtown).

Now onto the most recent drama:​

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This whole recent disaster started around the time Onew's manager at Griffin went onto instagram to complain that Onew was supposed to be at SM Town and even cleared his schedule for it but SM canceled on him at last minute.

To be honest of what I have been seeing Onew's manager has really been going off the deep end and spiraling on instagram stories. (Someone low-key needs to take this man's phone away.)

There's been several instagram stories complaining/shading people. In one of them he says they (Onew?) has been treated like he's on standby and confirmed that Shinee was supposed to have a performance at SM town, a song on the SM town album which to my understanding Onew even recorded for it and they removed him from the project after he cleared his schedule and recorded everything? Along with a Shinee winter comeback which apparently was going to be a mini album and a Shinee concert but " everyone's getting cancellation notices for the same reason", and implied that this "everyone" includes SM.

In his stories he seems to be really shading BPM and Taemin and throwing him under the bus claiming all of Shinee's lack of group promotions is due to BPM/Taemin. It seems BPM/Taemin is either not willing to cooperate/coordinate with SM, or BPM and SM keep fighting and can't reach a mutual agreement on how to handle Taemin's participation in group promotions.

This has since started a massive hate train towards Taemin by Knetz on social media. Many Knetz are attacking Taemin for prioritizing his solo work over the group and are complaining he should just leave the group already if he doesn't plan on doing group promotions.

Oversea Shawols are trying to support Taemin, claiming he's always been passionate about Shinee and never gave us a reason not to trust him. They are also pushing the fact that a world tour has been Taemin's dream for over 10 years and Taemin's just trying to fulfill his dreams right now. They are also really wanting Onew's manager to release an apology to Taemin since his manager's instagram stories are directly causing all of this hate towards Taemin.

Taemin's had to go and bubble and apologize twice to fans ever since Onew's manager first said Onew was cut from the SM Town concert.

With all of this attacking of Taemin on social media, BPM has recently gone on twitter and released a statement:


Here is an english translation:​

Hello. This is Big Planet Made.

We are aware that some communities and social media posts have expressed concerns regarding Taemin activities with SHINee, and we would like to clarify our position.

All of the content posted on social media recently contains clear falsehoods, and we will take a strong stance against them.

We have always supported and cheered for SHINee's activities, which Taemin has a great affection for. At the same time, we are doing our best to ensure that our artist is treated fairly and receive the full support he deserves.

We will continue to actively support Taemin so that he can continue to shine as a solo artist and as a member of SHINee, and we will strive to protect the artist so that he can grow into an even bigger artist. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of our fans who have always shown Taemin great love and interest.

Thank you.​

A lot of fans are not happy with this statement saying it doesn't really answer or solve anything. They also feel that BPM has not been putting in enough effort to coordinate Taemin into Shinee activities despite them claiming they fully support it.

People are also sort of confused by this whole mess between BPM and SM because Viviz has been participating in Gfriend activities without any issues. BPM even sent a coffee and snack truck to Gfriend in support of their recent activities in Gfriend, so they are confused why BPM is supporting Viviz/Gfriend but not trying to work out the Taemin and Shinee situation.

(On a side note, I would like to shout out that the Exo members under BPM's company umbrella have been having issues with Exo activities, and The Boyz have been issues with their former company IST as well.)
​

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All of this is just skimming the iceberg of all the Shinee drama right now it's truly hell in Shawol world right now

I know he is annoyed, but I kinda want to know wtf is Onew's manager's problem because what manager goes on instagram stories to shade another member of your artist's group???

If more updates happen I will update y'all here.​

 

[kyom ✦ kyom ✦ pom]

As time goes on, I am definitely not a big fan of the intercompany path groups take when they wind down. Especially when fans start getting upset when an artist puts their solo work before the group.

I believe the nature of Viviz and Gfriend is different, but Umjimoods probably has a better perspective on this since I missed Gfriend's HYBE arc.

 

[UMJI MOODS]

I would say these issues mainly stem from the revenue disputes that occurred between Kakao owner of SM and BPM(Taemin) and affiliated company INB100(EXOmembers) among others. The claims were that Kakao was charging much higher distribution fees to unaffiliated agencies versus lower fees to companies like SM connected to Kakao. They nullified the agreements with Kakao distribution over this. Korea's FTC is conducting an ongoing investigation into the charges.
Taemin and BPM related article.
EXO and FTC investigation of Kakao article.

As time goes on, I am definitely not a big fan of the intercompany path groups take when they wind down. Especially when fans start getting upset when an artist puts their solo work before the group.

I believe the nature of Viviz and Gfriend is different, but Umjimoods probably has a better perspective on this since I missed Gfriend's HYBE arc.

The greater ease here actually probably has something to do with what occurred above. Both BPM and Hybe use the same distributor now which is YG Plus likely making fee distribution much safer. VIVIZ has also had Kakao related issues as they were barred from Inkigayo last comeback. Inkigayo is run by Kakao for SBS. Yuju and Sowon have no agency and Yerin's is still quite small so that likely helped them to avoid issues.

 

[Your Biggest Fan]

I mean... I understand Onew's manager's frustration, but crying about it on Instagram is so unprofessional.

Lack of communication is the problem.

 

[SirTim0thy]

Sounds like a first-rate muck up all around. I feel sorry for both the fans and the members themselves in the midst of this.

His world tour is still actively going on (I see him next month! )​

I'm excited for you to get to participate!

 

[roseychu]

BTOB is in a similar place. When they all left Cube, two of them went to separate companies and the other four together. They have been unable to do group activities for whatever reason though they are still seen supporting each other. But they have separate season's greetings and fan club memberships. Melody Twitter is a mess. They are blaming to ones who have been doing solo activities as well as the ones promoting as BTOB. There is just no direct solution.

It goes to show that even if the members themselves say they will continue group activities, it is actually really hard to do so, because companies will be companies and schedules will conflict. All I know if that Taemin and Onew have not and will never give up on Shinee, so I hope it all works out.

Also, I hope you have a great time at Taemin's concert!

 

[RussianRoulette]

I would say these issues mainly stem from the revenue disputes that occurred between Kakao owner of SM and BPM(Taemin) and affiliated company INB100(EXOmembers) among others. The claims were that Kakao was charging much higher distribution fees to unaffiliated agencies versus lower fees to companies like SM connected to Kakao. They nullified the agreements with Kakao distribution over this. Korea's FTC is conducting an ongoing investigation into the charges.
Taemin and BPM related article.
EXO and FTC investigation of Kakao article.


The greater ease here actually probably has something to do with what occurred above. Both BPM and Hybe use the same distributor now which is YG Plus likely making fee distribution much safer. VIVIZ has also had Kakao related issues as they were barred from Inkigayo last comeback. Inkigayo is run by Kakao for SBS. Yuju and Sowon have no agency and Yerin's is still quite small so that likely helped them to avoid issues.

After all of this went down on twitter I started to remember the EXO drama and that most likely is not helping at all, I almost forgot about it since it's been so long without an update. I wouldn't put it past SM to hold this over BPM's head. I don't know how many Shawols are EXO fans (I know i'm not) so maybe that's probably why people aren't considering this when it comes to why BPM and SM can't reach an agreement on Taemin's Shinee activities.

I mean... I understand Onew's manager's frustration, but crying about it on Instagram is so unprofessional.

Lack of communication is the problem.

I am seriously dumbfounded by the manager's instagram rants. Griffin is also a new company and this isn't going to be a good look for them going forward when they need to make partnerships as well.
I'd say this guy should be fired, but this guy is apparently Onew's close childhood friend or something so...

BTOB is in a similar place. When they all left Cube, two of them went to separate companies and the other four together. They have been unable to do group activities for whatever reason though they are still seen supporting each other. But they have separate season's greetings and fan club memberships. Melody Twitter is a mess. They are blaming to ones who have been doing solo activities as well as the ones promoting as BTOB. There is just no direct solution.

It goes to show that even if the members themselves say they will continue group activities, it is actually really hard to do so, because companies will be companies and schedules will conflict. All I know if that Taemin and Onew have not and will never give up on Shinee, so I hope it all works out.

Also, I hope you have a great time at Taemin's concert!

Glad to know Shinee isn't the only one going through this. Shinee had a similar situation this year where the Shinee season's greetings was only Key and Minho and Taemin had his own season's greetings (I honestly can't remember if Onew had his own? But I assume so?).

Also thank you! I originally couldn't go because the tickets sold out so fast but I was lucky enough to grab tickets during the second surprise ticket drop. I feel so lucky!

 

[Your Biggest Fan]

this guy is apparently Onew's close childhood friend or something so...

Good grief!
Listen, people. When you rise in life, you don't have to bring everyone "up" with you. Some will pull you back down, and you'll have to start from the bottom again.

 

[RussianRoulette]

Good grief!
Listen, people. When you rise in life, you don't have to bring everyone "up" with you. Some will pull you back down, and you'll have to start from the bottom again.

I can’t even imagine how awkward it must feel for Onew right now to have your one childhood friend who is also your manager trash talk your other childhood friend who has been your bandmate for almost 20 years

 

[Thigh-high feminist]

Oh. Onew's manager/friend is the one who released that accusatory rant? For some reason I misunderstood and thought it was Griffin's CEO. Holy crap, Onew needs to reign in his friend.

Taemin keeps saying, lately, that SHINee will be doing something soon. I hope he's right.

 

[RussianRoulette]

Oh. Onew's manager/friend is the one who released that accusatory rant? For some reason I misunderstood and thought it was Griffin's CEO. Holy crap, Onew needs to reign in his friend.

Taemin keeps saying, lately, that SHINee will be doing something soon. I hope he's right.

Onew’s new Manager/CEO is his childhood friend. They are the same person. Griffin ent was started between Onew and said childhood friend to handle Onew’s solo activities.

 

[Thigh-high feminist]

Onew’s new Manager/CEO is his childhood friend. They are the same person. Griffin ent was started between Onew and said childhood friend to handle Onew’s solo activities.

I saw his friend on a tv show with him but I wasn't paying attention so I didn't realize that. Thank you for the information!

 

[babyv004]

Onew’s new Manager/CEO is his childhood friend. They are the same person. Griffin ent was started between Onew and said childhood friend to handle Onew’s solo activities.

But would his friend be saying exactly what Onew thinks?
You guys are saying that he needs to reign his friend but the more i read the more it makes sense that they are both in the same page bc the company was created by both. If Onew is not happy with the whole situation is most likely he talked about it with his bestie and that was what cause that rant

i do agree that they need to be more professional running their agency but is not that much of a stretch to think that Onew might be mad with Taemin' agency and maybe even with Taemin and since they can't resolve the things privately they decided to bring it publicly

 

[OutroTearTheFirst]

The unprofessionalism…keep it coming
I love shinee tho so I hope they resolve whatever is going on it was so strange to see Onew’s ceo(?) post that shinee photo without Taemin and write “this is shinee”

 

[RussianRoulette]

But would his friend be saying exactly what Onew thinks?
You guys are saying that he needs to reign his friend but the more i read the more it makes sense that they are both in the same page bc the company was created by both. If Onew is not happy with the whole situation is most likely he talked about it with his bestie and that was what cause that rant

i do agree that they need to be more professional running their agency but is not that much of a stretch to think that Onew might be mad with Taemin' agency and maybe even with Taemin and since they can't resolve the things privately they decided to bring it publicly

I don't think Onew has any beef with Taemin?

All of the members have been saying they are working hard on trying to do group promotions and they still all hang out with each other in their free time when they can and sometimes will post pictures together. Based on bubble messages and stuff they all seem to still be on good terms with each other like always (Key and Minho always have their banter but they're always like that )

Sort of like what Umji Moods was talking about earlier, I think BPM and SM still have some serious beef with each other and they are taking it out on each other by preventing any Shinee promotions from happening. (Kind of like when divorced parents fight and the kids are caught in the crossfire.)

The unprofessionalism…keep it coming
I love shinee tho so I hope they resolve whatever is going on it was so strange to see Onew’s ceo(?) post that shinee photo without Taemin and write “this is shinee”

Seeing him post OT3 (OT4?) pictures on his instagram was crazy.

I want to slap this man. I have no idea why Onew isn't trying to step in and tell him to cut it out.

The thing that hurt the most to me about the pictures is that Onew genuinely seems so SO happy to be with the Shinee members again doing Shinee stuff! And his manager/ceo/friend(/drama queen) ruined it by trash talking Taemin.

Like it's sad that Taemin couldn't come because the companies are fighting, but can't you just let Onew be happy with the Shinee promotions they can do in the meantime???