SM Entertainment earned the ire of fans and netizens (again!) after the company revealed they would be delaying the release of Red Velvet's Irene and Seulgi's "Monster" music video.
On April 21, 2020, SM Entertainment confirmed that the first Red Velvet sub-unit, comprised of Irene and Seulgi, will be making their debut. Initially, the company stated that they will be debuting in June 2020. The debut was then pushed back to July 6, with the label saying that they needed time to ensure album quality.
The music video was meant to be released at 6:00 p.m. KST on the 6th, and Irene and Seulgi even held a V Live to mark their debut and the release of their MV. However, SM Entertainment did not release the music video on time, and eentually released a statement that it would be released at 8:00 p.m. KST instead.
But when 8:00 p.m. rolled in, the music video was still not up. The company then released a statement once more, saying that the music video will instead be unveiled on July 7 at 12:00 NN. The new statement reads:
"Hello.
This is SM Entertainment.
Red Vellvet - IRENE & SEULGI "Monster" MV will be released on 7/7 at 12PM (KST.)
Please excuse the inconvenience caused by the delay, and thank you for your understanding and support."
This is not the first time SM Entertainment has delayed the releases of their artists. Fans have noted that the company has done this with NCT 127, WayV, and Girls' Generation. NCT 127 had a comeback delayed by 18 hours, WayV had their delayed by two days, and SM Entertainment had lost all the data for Girls' Generation's "Mr. Mr." comeback.
Many fans have considered this a huge debacle because not only was the music video delayed, but it was such an important event as it was a debut.
In their statement, SM Entertainment did not give a clear reason as to why they delayed the release of the music video. Netizens did not hold back and expressed disappointment at the company, saying:
"The album should have been released in June, so what has the company been doing for the past three weeks?"
"SM Entertainment is one of the biggest companies, but they just can't work properly."
"Their working style is unprofessional."
"Honestly, this has been happening for years and years and nothing seems to be done about it. I wonder what SM is thinking,"
"They're probably just doing this to boost views. SM Entertainment are trolls."
Red Velvet debuted as four members in 2014 with "Happiness," with members Irene, Seulgi, Joy, and Wendy. Yeri would join the group in 2015 for their "Ice Cream Cake" comeback.
Red Velvet is highly-regarded as one of the most popular K-pop groups worldwide by Time and Billboard, and are known as major contributors and one of the country's most talented groups who help spread the Hallyu wave.
The girls have two sides to their music - the velvet, which has more sensual, sophisticated feelings with R&B and strong 90s influences, and the red, which is mostly pop and electronic and more colorful compared to their velvet side.
The "Monster" music video has since been released.
