Ever since news surfaced that members of the popular group Tohoshinki had filed for an injuction of their contract with their Korean management company, Korean media have been reporting that they are at risk of disbanding. Their Japanese management company, AVEX, have expressed that they will "fully support" their future activities. Large quanities of postcards have been sent from netizens to AVEX, expressing their wish for AVEX to protect Tohoshinki.
Tohoshinki debuted in 2004 in Korea as a 5-member, male, Korean vocal group. The following year, they debuted in Japan through AVEX. Thereafter, they grew to become Asia's top idol group. Their popularity also increased after they sang the opening theme song for popular anime "One Piece". They have also become stars whose sales for singles and albums top the Oricon rankings.
■Album sales of over 500,000 but each person only receives ¥750,000? (T/N: ~USD$8,397)
Although everything looked smooth sailing, 3 members from the same group, Junsu, Jejung, Yuchun, filed for a temporary injunction of their contract with their Korean management company, SM Entertainment, to the Seoul Central District Court in late July.
According to reports, including their years of compulsory national service, their exclusive contract with the Korean management company is as long as 15 years, and in the event that they wish to cancel the contract, the compensation amounts to several billion, in Japanese yen.
Also, at first, the income division for their album sales was such that they would receive 10,000,000 won each if they sold more than 500,000 copies of each album released (roughly ¥750,000), and receive nothing if the sales were under 500,000. Although these terms were amended in February 2009, profit division amongst the members only amounted to 0.4-1% per member.
On 6 August 2009, AVEX expressed through their official site that the members' lawsuit does not indicate disbandment. They also said that the Korean management have acknowledged that the 5 members will continue their activities in Japan, and that they will "fully support" them.
However, the Korean media reported that due to the trouble that Tohoshinki has with their Korean management company, they are certain that there is a "threat of disbandment", and recent reports (see below) have stated that it would be "difficult for them to reconcile".
(T/N: The article stated the following as examples of the recent reports.)
* TVXQ's 3 members, Jejung, Yuchun, Junsu will not be able to use the name "Dong Bang Shin Ki" (4 November 2009, JoongAng Ilbo Electronic News)
* Impossible for TVXQ to have activities next year (13 November 2009, Chosun Ilbo Electronic News)
* The 3 members of TVXQ who are in conflict with SM, did not respond to SM's ultimatum regarding their domestic activities. While the 3 members are likely to carry out their independent activities, the likelihood for TVXQ to reconcile further declines (13 November 2009, JoongAng Ilbo Electronic News)
■AVEX: No change in giving full support
The Korean management company gave the 3 members an ultimatum to respond to them by 12 November 2009 regarding their domestic activities next year, and negotiations have broken down as the 3 members did not respond. This situation has made the survival of the group increasingly difficult.
On the internet, fans have also expressed their anxiety regarding Tohoshinki's future. As AVEX have expressed their "full support", from 14 November 2009 onwards, they received the sincere support of Tohoshinki's fans in the form of large quantities of mail, through a "Project to support Tohoshinki" organised by their fans. Also, this notice (T/N: for the project) was also listed in Tohoshinki's fan community, SNS "Mixi".
「On ¥50 postcards, using red ink, please write "We (heart) TVfXQ" in the middle. (Editor's note: TVfXQ is Tohoshinki's Chinese name) On the white margins, please also write down your messages of support. It's also OK to decorate it or draw. Please make sure to mail it on 29 November, so that all the postmarks will reflect the same date throughout the nation.」
The address is AVEX's headquarters, 6th storey, 「AVEX Entertainment 『東方神起』」. Will AVEX be able to meet the expectations of such fans? In response to our query, it seems like AVEX Entertainment will uphold their promise as they said that, "The company will stay true to what was stated in the press release that was released on 6 August this year."
Source: [J-CAST News]
Translation credits: mandasoh@tohosomnia.net
Shared by: tohosomnia.net
Do not remove/add on any credits
Info:Avex is the Japanese company who manages DBSK's Jap activities.
Always Keep The Faith !!!!!
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