[TRANS] 100918 Tohoshinki “Halting Activities in Japan” – Sparked by Kwong Sang Woo Incident

“JJY halts activities..Tohoshinki cannot sing in Japan.” Tohoshinki, the group that, due to the management company SM Entertainment and exclusive contract issue, has halted all domestic and foreign activities. Members Junsu (Xiah), Jejung (Hero) and Yuchun (Micky), due to alleged relations with organized crime groups, were withdrawn from their Japanese management company Avex Entertainment. The local Sports Nippon news reported the incident with the above title on 17 September. JJY is derived from the initials of Junsu, Jejung and Yuchun. Sports Nippon said, “It will be impossible for the 3 to appear in the Year end Kouhaku Utagassen” although “Presently, Tohoshinki members’ songs are widely heard in Japan.” Also, “Avex had gone through Korea’s C-JeS to sign a contract with the 3. However, this company’s representative has a history with violent gangs, and using his father’s background, forced actor Kwong Sang Woo into an exclusive contract, was found guilty and got sent to prison. Avex, with their business ethics in mind, decided to cut the trio’s management off.“ they reported.

Also, “Their current decision will also help to improve their chances of reconciling with SM, who has had a poor relationship with them since the lawsuit began.” Without the support of Avex, the three’s chances of being isolated is very high” they analyzed. “Furthermore, if Tohoshinki restarts their activities, the three would definitely have to reconcile with SM. Avex revealed that “the 5-member Tohoshinki’s exclusive contract is unchanged. They will be working hard so that they can re-start their activities as 5,” but with the ruling of the lawsuit, which seems like it will happen this year, and if the three loses, a lengthy appeal period will be inevitable, and even with a ruling passed locally, an amicable end still seems difficult” Sports Nippon predicted.

On 17 September, Chunichi Sports News also reported with the headline “Tohoshinki Trio Halts Activities In Japan, Korean Management Company Representative Convicted.” saying “For 2 years starting May 2003, the C-JeS representative managed popular Korean actor Kwong Sang Woo, but in 2006, Kwong Sang Woo revealed that “I was forced to sign the exclusive contract,” giving them much negative press. The representative was found guilty of coercion, and he served time in August that year,” they pointed out. On the other hand, “Within a day, Avex has received over 200 enquiries about this news from Tohoshinki fans. It is also a fact that in July this year, Yuchun’s (Micky) manager was charged without detention for physical violence.” Also, “A decision on the lawsuit between the trio and SM, is expected to be revealed by this year. (With regards to the current matter), it is highly likely that important claims on the SM side will remain unchanged,” they predicted.

Source: [Innolife.net]
Translation credits: ssunsett@tohosomnia.net
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T/N: Please note that these are speculations from the Japanese press. Please read it with a pinch of salt.