[AKP] Entertainment company reps comment on dilemmas resulting from the list of victimized trainees from 'Produce' series

[My Everything]

 

Earlier this week, the Seoul District Court disclosed the names of former trainees of Mnet's 'Produce' series who were victimized by the broadcasting station, Ahn Joon Young PD, and Kim Yong Bum CP. 

According to the court, trainees Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Hye Rimwere eliminated through vote manipulation on season 1; trainees Sung Hyun Woo and Kang Dong Ho were eliminated through vote manipulation on season 2; Lee Kaeun and Han Cho Won on season 3; and Anzardi Timothee, Kim Kook Heon, Lee Jin Woo, Goo Jung Mo, Lee Jin Hyuk, and Geum Dong Hyun on season 4. Among these trainees, Kang Dong Ho, Lee Kaeun, Han Cho Won, Goo Jung Mo, Lee Jin Hyuk, and Geum Dong Hyun were listed as trainees who would have made it into the debut lineup during the final voting round of their seasons. 

In light of the news shocking the entertainment industry as well as numerous fans and viewers, representatives of K-Pop entertainment companies have commented on the situation, as well as some of the frustrations and dilemmas imposed. One rep from an agency of a victimized trainee said, "We are disappointed, but at the same time, we question whether there's anything more we can do about it than to just say that this is the reality of the entertainment industry. We were done wrong without any strength to fight back, but as far as we can tell, there's nothing visibly different [with the names revealed]."

Another company rep remarked,"Since the opposing party is a large broadcasting station, it's uncomfortable to convey our honest thoughts and statements. The agency must also take into consideration that we not only represent the victimized trainee, but we have other label artists to promote. It's not necessarily that CJ ENM is pressuring other companies to keep quiet, but more that most entertainment companies wish to minimize any internal disputes with CJ ENM as much as possible. The fact that the names of the victimized trainees was revealed can be applied as a good thing, but in the long term, companies are still in a position where they must continue to work and negotiate with the large broadcasting station."

Another rep additionally disclosed, "It's true that news of such a systematic manipulation comes across as very shocking, but in the first place, we knew that there would be some discrimination regarding screen time, and that the production crew had certain images they wanted for the show. If Mnet tries to resume trainee audition programs again, most companies will have no choice but to send their trainees on it [for fame and relevance]." 

Finally, an industry insider added on, "This issue should not end simply with this 'compensation' that Mnet promised to the victimized trainees, but the broadcasting station must work to ensure that they receive certain treatment which assures their future activities, and these negotiations must consist of visible actions which viewers can confirm. Now that the names of the trainees have been revealed, this is no longer a two-sided matter between Mnet and the victims."

Source

[KentasGlittery EyeMakeup]

[satoori]

Basically...

The reps: Yes, it's rigged [we sort of knew this beforehand too] but we're still going to continue to work with CJ/Mnet in the future too.

 

ah and we want special treatment.

[satoori]

The vibe I'm getting from these companies is they don't care about their own victimized trainees.

They've already accepted "the reality of the entertainment industry."

All they care about is keeping a good relationship with CJ/Mnet.

Once again proving the music industry is not pretty.

 

[Nev Schulman]

Honestly what can they do? CJ ENM is HUGE. A few companies boycotting audition programs isn't going to do anything. They are pretty much doomed and besides monetary compensation nothing else can be done. It is up to the fans to continue supporting these victims so they can still be the stars they deserve to be.

[My Everything]

Just now, Nev Schulman said:

It is up to the fans to continue supporting these victims so they can still be the stars they deserve to be.

Which they won’t except for jinhyuk & dongho

 

[Hizu]

So CJ ENM is basically saying: "Yeah, I'm gonna mistreat you and do whatever I want to you, and you're gonna keep quiet and thank me because I'm bigger than you and if you dare say something to me, you're done."

I honestly feel bad that this is the situation, but I'm not surprised. Isn't it always like this? The powerful do whatever they want and the less powerful have to keep quiet and take it if they want to continue. It's like that for individuals (like Weinstein in Hollywood) and for companies (like in this case).

Humans suck.

The user here finding blame in the smaller companies instead of CJ ENM should really rethink their values.

 

Edited November 20, 2020 by Hizu

[Danee Danee]

I find it funny how people thinks they are not caring. Even if they didn't care about the trainees who got cheated, they still lost a lot of money. Dont think they dont care. They are just being pragmatic. Especially those who were risking careers of already debuted groups. MNET surely has great power over promos of idols. Small or mid tier companies surely dont have enough power to fight back. Even big companies get into troubles if they talk back or dont send their kids to certain shows on certain tv channels and their whole roster is going to get ignored by pds later on. But at least they have their own ways of promoting. Its something most mid tier companies have not.

Did they know the show will get manipulated? Totally. Even before the whole controversy we ALL knew the show is manipulated (every survival is) in terms of screen time and storylines if not in term of votes. Yet we decided to consume the show and companies send their trainees hoping they will use their 15 seconds of fame well to gain at least some fans even if they dont get to debut with the Produce group. No big company actually participated after Somi if I'm not mistaken. Again, they have their own ways of promoting their trainees. 

Even if lets say Kaeun and Chowon got the same money as if they actually promoted with IZONE, the impact on their career cannot be measured with money that easily. You cannot even say the exact sum in case of X1 boys.

So I agree that the cheated trainees should get special treatment and MNET should make super sure they help them got their name out. Thats the only way how to give them justice and repair the damage they done. But is it fair for newly debuting kids who havent got the chance to get fame? Nope. 

All the big broadcasting companies should be controlled so they wont be able to abuse their power. I get that Red Velvet and Berry Good will never be treated the same (even though they debuted in the same year) and I dont mind tbh. My issue with them is in pushing the "shut up or all your artists are done". Its kinda mafia like.

Edited November 20, 2020 by Danee Danee

[Nev Schulman]

1 minute ago, My Everything said:

Which they won’t except for jinhyuk & dongho

 

and this is an issue as well. I always found it odd that those that didn't make the cut no matter how close they were ended up being irrelevant after the show. These "fans" not supporting them are the real reason why some give up shortly after appearing on produce. Did Ka Eun's last song even chart high? Highly doubt it. The fans are the only ones that can help them imo.

[satoori]

2 minutes ago, Hizu said:

 

The user here finding blame in the smaller companies instead of CJ ENM should really rethink their values.

 

Hi, it's me the "user"

I do blame CJ. However unlike some of y'all, who only want to focus on cj/mnet, I'm blaming the entire industry.

These small companies are not innocent either.

 

[Drama Drama Drama]

Another proof of how rotten is the industry behind the scenes 

Edited November 20, 2020 by Drama Drama Drama

[Hizu]

4 minutes ago, satoori said:

Hi, it's me the "user"

I do blame CJ. However unlike some of y'all, who only want to focus on cj/mnet, I'm blaming the entire industry.

These small companies are not innocent either.

 

I'm blaming the industry too, and yes, no one is innocent. No one is ever innocent in this industry, where they keep quiet in the face of mistreatment because making it is more important than morals. I just think the one who holds the most power is the one who is most to blame.

The way you worded it was just wrong to me, saying they want special treatment like it's a bad thing, and that they don't care about the trainees in favour of CJ ENM. I'm sure the companies want their trainees to succeed, if not because they care about them as people, at least because they invested in them, so it's not that they don't care, they just can't do much against bigger companies such as CJ ENM. I'm sure the trainees and the idols also accepted "the reality of the entertainment industry", otherwise they would leave, but it doesn't mean it's right or that we shouldn't say anything about these things when they happen.

[satoori]

Just now, Hizu said:

I'm blaming the industry too, and yes, no one is innocent. No one is ever innocent in this industry, where they keep quiet in the face of mistreatment because making it is more important than morals. I just think the one who holds the most power is the one who is most to blame.

The way you worded it was just wrong to me, saying they want special treatment like it's a bad thing, and that they don't care about the trainees in favour of CJ ENM. I'm sure the companies want their trainees to succeed, if not because they care about them as people, at least because they invested in them, so it's not that they don't care, they just can't do much against bigger companies such as CJ ENM. I'm sure the trainees and the idols also accepted "the reality of the entertainment industry", otherwise they would leave, but it doesn't mean it's right or that we shouldn't say anything about these things when they happen.

It's not just about this situation. Companies in general mainly care about being profitable. And there are many smaller companies treat their trainees worse then bigger companies. The trainees are young and trust their companies. So they will follow what they're being told. However these companies knew ahead of time things might not be fair. "the reality of the entertainment industry"

In the OP the reps literally say they want "special treatment". Where in my comment did I say it was bad to want special treatment?

 

[Hizu]

3 minutes ago, satoori said:

It's not just about this situation. Companies in general mainly care about being profitable. And there are many smaller companies treat their trainees worse then bigger companies. The trainees are young and trust their companies. So they will follow what they're being told. However these companies knew ahead of time things might not be fair. "the reality of the entertainment industry"

In the OP the reps literally say they want "special treatment". Where in my comment did I say it was bad to want special treatment?

 

You didn't say it was bad explicitly, it seemed that way with how you worded it "ah and we want special treatment.".

[satoori]

Just now, Hizu said:

You didn't say it was bad explicitly, it seemed that way with how you worded it "ah and we want special treatment.".

well, you're wrong.

 

 

 

[Punchy]

CJEM is trash

[hynapia]

2 hours ago, My Everything said:

"Since the opposing party is a large broadcasting station, it's uncomfortable to convey our honest thoughts and statements.

I understand their position tbh. CJ is literally huge and they can't do anything against them. But it still really sucks for these trainees, especially the ones that have almost lost their chance to debut or redebut anymore like Kaeun.

[Elscian]

2 hours ago, satoori said:

The vibe I'm getting from these companies is they don't care about their own victimized trainees.

They've already accepted "the reality of the entertainment industry."

All they care about is keeping a good relationship with CJ/Mnet.

Once again proving the music industry is not pretty.

 

Did we even read the same thing?

They are literally saying bc mnet is a big broadcasting station, they have no choice but to comply if they wanna survive and not get blacklisted in the long run. "They don't care about their victimized trainees"...do they even have the money to fight back against mnet lol. Specially when the viewers will go back to hyping up MAMA, smtm, queendom, produce, travel shows, etc the next minute. 

"Since the opposing party is a large broadcasting station, it's uncomfortable to convey our honest thoughts and statements. The agency must also take into consideration that we not only represent the victimized trainee, but we have other label artists to promote. It's not necessarily that CJ ENM is pressuring other companies to keep quiet, but more that most entertainment companies wish to minimize any internal disputes with CJ ENM as much as possible. The fact that the names of the victimized trainees was revealed can be applied as a good thing, but in the long term, companies are still in a position where they must continue to work and negotiate with the large broadcasting station."

[satoori]

26 minutes ago, StanSatan said:

Did we even read the same thing?

They are literally saying bc mnet is a big broadcasting station, they have no choice but to comply if they wanna survive and not get blacklisted in the long run. "They don't care about their victimized trainees"...do they even have the money to fight back against mnet lol. Specially when the viewers will go back to hyping up MAMA, smtm, queendom, produce, travel shows, etc the next minute. 

"Since the opposing party is a large broadcasting station, it's uncomfortable to convey our honest thoughts and statements. The agency must also take into consideration that we not only represent the victimized trainee, but we have other label artists to promote. It's not necessarily that CJ ENM is pressuring other companies to keep quiet, but more that most entertainment companies wish to minimize any internal disputes with CJ ENM as much as possible. The fact that the names of the victimized trainees was revealed can be applied as a good thing, but in the long term, companies are still in a position where they must continue to work and negotiate with the large broadcasting station."

yea, we read the same thing. as i said, the entire industry is bad. 

[satoori]

when did some of y'all become such company stans tho  the length some of y'all going to defend these companies. yikes.

[hynapia]

2 hours ago, Nev Schulman said:

and this is an issue as well. I always found it odd that those that didn't make the cut no matter how close they were ended up being irrelevant after the show. These "fans" not supporting them are the real reason why some give up shortly after appearing on produce. Did Ka Eun's last song even chart high? Highly doubt it. The fans are the only ones that can help them imo.

I didn't even know she released a song because I didn't see anyone talking about it or hyping her. People love to be vocal and "woke" about these issues but at the end of the day, it's not like they do much to support these idols.

[Elscian]

16 minutes ago, satoori said:

when did some of y'all become such company stans tho  the length some of y'all going to defend these companies. yikes.

This is so tragic though, I doubt most people can even name those companies. 

You saying they don't care about their victims (more like the huge money and fame of artists opportunity they lost), why dont you give some advice on what they should do in this situation, against mnet. Let's hear it.

[satoori]

28 minutes ago, StanSatan said:

This is so tragic though, I doubt most people can even name those companies. 

You saying they don't care about their victims (more like the huge money and fame of artists opportunity they lost), why dont you give some advice on what they should do in this situation, against mnet. Let's hear it.

they don't care about the victims. they mainly care about connections and money.

why should i give advice? that's not the topic of this thread.

[Elscian]

4 minutes ago, satoori said:

they don't care about the victims. they mainly care about connections and money.

why should i give advice? that's not the topic of this thread.

Bc you're saying they don't care then say what they should do for the victims.  

Unless you had nothing in your mind. 

[satoori]

2 minutes ago, StanSatan said:

Bc you're saying they don't care then say what they should do for the victims.  

Unless you had nothing in your mind. 

my opinion/comments are based on what i read in the op. simple.

at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what they do. these companies will put themselves first before the trainees. which they can replace if necessary.