On May 4, enraged fans expressed that they are fed up with SM Entertainment allegedly mistreating their artists, especially NCT Dream's Chenle.
Earlier, NCTzens trended the hashtag #PleaseTreatChenleFairly on various social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Weibo, and Instagram, demanding the agency treat the young idol better.
thread of chenle being mistreated just in ridin era since y’all wanna act like it’s not there and real for some reason @SMTOWNGLOBAL #PleaseTreatChenleFairly — beth (@cheIcas) May 3, 2020
According to fans, the agency has been treating Chenle poorly in all aspects, starting from song distribution, promotion exposure, and was given the least care between other members. In their recent comeback album, "Reload," NCT Dream successfully released their title track "Ridin'," where the members exhibited their exciting and cool image.
However, a fan uploaded the members' line distribution in the song, and looking at it, Chinese members Renjun and Chenle have the least song lines, not to mention that they also have the least appearances in the music video. Fans also noticed that Chenle is always placed at the back or rather has smaller pictures in the group's teaser photos.
In addition to this, a fan who bought an album expressed her anger towards SM Entertainment after Chenle was cut out from the album photobook, though some are saying that it could be a production mistake. However, Chenle was the only one who wasn't included in the group photo.
Further, during show guesting, fans are claiming that Chenle always has the shortest screen time despite being a bubbly and happy idol whenever he's on a show.
Chenle, who debuted as a 14-year-old idol through NCT Dream, left his homeland China to pursue his dream of becoming a K-pop star. His musicality, voice, and personality immediately stole his fans' hearts, but in four years of promotion, fans think that the young idol has been rarely given an opportunity to show his full potential, even between China line, or the other Chinese members.
As the issue went on, other SM stans joined the Twitter hashtag party.
chenlebar has published an official statement regarding chenle's mistreatment!!! if you have weibo please like, repost and comment on the post!#PleaseTreatChenleFairly @SMTOWNGLOBAL link https://t.co/h4ucDoCrYQ pic.twitter.com/FGoNVI5Vas — chang ↺ #RELOAD (@jaemrenle) May 3, 2020
Other fans also talked about how the agency doesn't treat their non-Korean artists well, such as Chinese idols, starting from Super Junior-M, EXO-M, and f(x)'s Victoria.
Online users also mentioned that safety and security aren't properly looked into by the agency, such as Red Velvet's Wendy's stage accident. Even now that the female idol has been discharged from the hospital and on the process of complete recovery, fans are still demanding the company to take legal action against SBS.
Moreover, fans believe that SM Entertainment doesn't take appropriate actions against malicious commenters who target their artists.
Recently, a malignant rumor vilifying NCT 127's Taeyong circulated on social media. EXO, Super Junior, and NCT members' private information were leaked as well. EXO's main vocalist, Chen, is currently the subject of hate, with mostly Korean EXO-Ls demanding him to withdraw from the group because of his marriage. However, there hasn't been any news of SM Entertainment taking legal actions against his slanderers.
sm is quiet abt taeyong's defamation, wendy's accident, chenle's mistreatment, winwin's misplacement, sasaengs calling jeno (the list goes on)but they become loud abt ppl who ill*g*ly str*am the online concerts yup yup !! #ApologizeToWendy #sm_이태용_지겨 #PleaseTreatChenleFairly — ↺ (@renhyucktv) May 3, 2020
Some fans already sent emails to SM Entertainment, informing the agency that they will take actions legally if solutions weren't provided. Many also dissed SM as a company that only cares about profits, following the warning during "Beyond Live Concert" wherein unpaid users who illegally stream the concerts will be sued.
