In 2019, Taeyong of NCT 127 had to endure criticism due to a huge controversy about being the person responsible for school bullying. The case has been settled in the same year, and Taeyong and the alleged victim of bullying already resolved the issue, as the K-pop idol repented on the actions he reportedly made a decade ago.
However, the controversy resurfaced after a post made on the Korean online community site, Pann, blew up on April 29. Due to this, NCTzens have been voicing out their concerns and disappointment with the label through the hashtag #SM_이태용_지켜 (SM Protect Lee Taeyong). The hashtag trended worldwide on Twitter not long after, as SM stans came together to plea for the agency's protection for their artists.
It's not the first time that SM talents got involved in a controversy, of which they were harassed and slandered. The late actress, Sulli, was a victim of cyberbullying, which lead to depression, as revealed by the star. EXO's Chen has been the target of hate after he announced a new milestone in his life.
This pushed SM fans to air their frustration on the social networking site and have been demanding SM Entertainment to take appropriate actions to combat these malicious commenters and treat all their talents fairly.
Mistreatment
Recently, Yeri of Red Velvet became a trending topic on Twitter after fans noticed that the K-pop star wasn't seen on the promotional posters online for the animated film "Trolls World Tour." They believe that it is not proper that the agency is being unfair for neglecting the importance of the artist.
Screenshots of the label's artists' schedules also surfaced online, wherein they are bombarded with an overwhelming schedule. Fans think SM shouldn't only give their talents a just treatment but should consider their health as well.
Depression
Fans noted several SM talents who admitted that they are suffering and suffered from depression. They firmly believe that the company doesn't care about their artists' mental wellbeing. Taeyeon of Girl's Generation, for instance, revealed she had depression, and the late idols Jonghyun of SHINee and Sulli suffered from the same plight as well.
"SM Entertainment does not care about the health and safety and reputations of their idols. They are perfectly happy to let the idols suffer so long as the bottom line doesn't suffer," one fan wrote.
The protection they deserve
Fans have been saying that SM never dared to make their biggest move to sue or file legal actions against antis who try to defame and malign their artists.
Haters, upon EXO's Chen's wedding announcement, have been aggressive to the extent that they rallied in front of SM's building, while his official merch (solo albums, posters, etc.) lie in front of them, scathed. They also planned to defame him in his hometown by parading a bus with derogatory texts against him written on it.
However, netizens feel that the label wouldn't even bat an eye to shield their artists from these rabid antis.
"Dear EXOLs and nctzens, I'm sorry that SM entertainment does not care about EXO and NCT enough to take action when malicious comments and false claims that could possibly ruin their career are said/thrown at them," said a fan.
While it's true that SM Entertainment's artists are brimming with talents, fans think that the agency doesn't protect them - something that they truly deserve.
