Enigma Scandal – Prologue #1
Prologue 1
Kang Hye Na worked diligently at her office, signing papers, making proposals, and speaking to representatives. When she first became the Director of YD Consultants Group Co., Ltd., she thought it would be an easy job. Exactly what does one need to do to consult, right? Instead though, she was surprised to know that she had a lot of things to do. But those naïve thoughts were of five years ago. Now she was as busy as this!
Her expensive desk, exclusive shipped from Italy, was cluttered with papers and contracts. The layers of paper obscured the true beauty of the desk’s intricate carvings but she did not care. She just needed someone to help her with these papers. Even taking over time didn’t help her at all.
Someone knocked on the double mahogany doors but in her concentration, Hye Na could not hear it. The knock persisted and then stopped. A head poke out from the opened door and Secretary Seo cleared his throat.
“Er… Madam?” The man called out. The business woman sitting by the desk did not look up from the bundle of papers. “Madam Kang. Madam Kang! Madam!”
Startled at the loud commotion brought on by the secretary, Hye Na jumped in her chair and unconsciously let her Mont Blanc pen slip from her fingers. The lightweight utensil skipped through the air. Had Secretary Seo not closed the door, the pen would definitely poke one of his eyes out. The Director winced at the scene and stared at the door. A minute later, Secretary Seo poked his head in again and bowed to his boss.
“I heard you when you first called.” Hye Na snapped. “Do you think I’m deaf?”
The secretary laughed awkwardly.
“Never mind.” She scowled with a wave of her hand. Secretary Seo flinched and dodged behind the door as if he was expecting another pen to shoot his way. She glared at him even harder. “Secretary Seo!”
“Yes, Madam!”
“Say what you have to say so I can continue with my billion dollar money-making scheme.”
“Excuse me, Madam, but I believe your billion dollar money-making scheme has to wait.” Secretary Seo wiped the sweat off his forehead. Being Kang Hye Na’s secretary was never an easy job. “You have a meeting at two o’clock and…” He glanced at his watch and it read 2:15. “Everyone is waiting, ma’am.”
“They haven’t killed each other off yet?” She made a face. “Too bad…”
“I was kind of hoping they would kill you.” Secretary Seo muttered as he closed the door.
“I heard that!” Hye Na’s voice growled.
“Sorry, Madam!”
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Hye Na walked into the room and immediately recognized the tension floating around in the uncomfortable atmosphere. She could definitely feel these money-making midget schemers flex their big heads to prepare themselves for the tedious job of sounding out their opponents.
Daring to walk in front of her, Secretary Seo rushed to the conference table to hand out the binders that had been prepared for this certain meeting. When he saw Hye Na standing behind her big comfortable chair and tapping her Jimmy Choo heels impatiently, he dropped his current job and rushed over to pull out the chair for his boss. She smiled graciously at him and took her seat.
The meeting now began.
“Gentlemen,” Hye Na smiled at the congregated group in front of her. “Please retract your claws and hear me out. Before you are your business rivals. I know that very well. But you are all my customers and as you and I are both aware of the current situation, we are all in deep trouble.”
Hya Na’s vulture-like eyes scanned the people in the room.
“You!” Her index finger pointed to Lee Soo Man, the CEO of SM Entertainment. Besides her, Secretary Seo flinched at the harshness of her voice. “Your company has been in the red for the past year. SME suffers a lot because of your slave contract scandals, surely you know this. People think you’re using your artists as money-making machines and it tarnishes your image every single time another scandal appears. Sooner or later, no talents would want to be recruited into SM. You know what that means, right? SME will be nothing but history.”
On the other side of the room, Park Jin Young chuckled at the statement made.
“And you!” Hya Na immediately turned to the laughing monkey. “Nobody can deny the fact that you and your #1 artists are in trouble. From Wonder Girls to 2PM, you have been heavily criticized and boycotted by your own customers. You think releasing new singles while ignoring the matters at hand will help? Well think again!”
Yang Geun Suk, the chief executive officer of YG Entertainment, fidgeted where he sat.
“How was your deal with Sony Music, Mr. Yang Geun Suk?” Hye Na coldly inquired.
“W… We’re doing… w… well.” Mr. Yang managed to stutter out.
“Good. My schemes are always brilliant.” Hya Na giggled at her own praise. “Ain’t I the one who say having Flo Rida featured will help your golden-haired freakish boy out of trouble?”
Surviving for this long, DSP Entertainment‘s CEO Lee Ho Yeon didn’t expect her to turn against him. But she did anyway.
“I don’t have much knowledge about music but I can tell you right here, right now Mr. Lee that you should start recruiting real talent and forget the looks.” She smirked. “You know that your #1 SS501‘s ranking is even behind those newcomers, right?”
Lee Ho Yeon was obviously uncomfortable by the statement and Hye Na reveled at his nervousness before turning to the last person.
“And last but not least…” She looked at the corporate executive officer although she couldn’t even call him as such. No one had officially acknowledged him. “You’re a nobody, Mr. Park Chung Woo. Yes, even though your company was established for more than two years with a popular A-list star, you’re still a nobody. Does that hurt?”
Kang Hya Na lets out a laugh that roared around the hollowness of the conference room, her successful reign of terror slowly diminishing as she finished her enjoyment. Snapping back into character, she smiled at her guests.
“Fortunately for you all, you have me. And me, an intelligent being of tremendous talents, have decided to grace you with an utterly brilliant plan to boost your images and save your red asses.”
She snapped her fingers and immediately Secretary Seo rushed to turn off the lights. The guests and its dominating host turned their attention to the LCD projector screen.
“Here it is…” Hya Na whispered. “Enigma.”
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Please continue reading Prologue #2 at Eirallina’s Compilation
Enigma Scandal
Enigma Scandal
A collaboration of the unlikely twins
Viola501 and Eirallina D’Amico
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Starting Date : 10 April, 2010
Finishing Date : 00/00/2010
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Genre : Comedy, Romance, Drama, Mysterious
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Foreword
A man in late twenties to mid-thirties was lying on the ground. His eyes were wide open though sadly, he could no longer see. He couldn’t see the medics checking his body for the temperature and stiffness of his limbs. He couldn’t see the two detectives watching over him with sympathy, shaking their heads once or twice before whispering to each other of countless possibilities. Splashes of bright light could have blinded his vision as crime scene photographers took pictures of his wet body. But then again, he couldn’t see.
Lee Jae Han was dead.
With the simple gesture of nodding heads, the male detective separated from his partner to approach the group of people huddling in the corner outside of the bathroom. Peering in to look at the dead body ever so discreetly as yellow tape lines prevented them to get closer, some cringed while others just looked on, unfazed but definitely disturbed.
With the cigar hanging from the corner of his lips, he took out a notepad from the pocket of his black trench coat and a pen from his shirt pocket before ushering the group of people towards the other side of the room. Once they settled, dark eyes followed in on their every movement slowly, deliberately testing and checking on their reactions as he spoke.
“Greetings, everyone.” He addressed. “I’m Detective Parker Jung of the Ministry of Criminal Investigation in Seoul, nice to meet you. Although I don’t think this is a nice way of meeting people but given the circumstances we can make arrangements.” He cleared his throat and pointed to someone inside the crowded crime scene. “That lady over there is my partner, Medical Examiner Ikeda Rein also from the Ministry. I’ll introduce you to her later but for now, do you guys mind if I ask a few questions?”
He received a couple of yeahs and sure, why nots but other than that, nothing much.
“Please tell me if I’m wrong but the man lying there in the bathtub right now is a Mr. Lee Jae Han, a personal photographer from Miss Yoon’s company, correct?”
As he mentioned the dead person (body), nervous eyes were thrown about.
“The last time he was seen alive was when he was talking to you…” Parker turned towards Yoon Eun Hye, a woman in her twenties garbed lavishly in her stage costume of a short one piece dress and leggings of midnight blue. “…. inside your dressing room. But what do you know, less than an hour later he’s in your bathroom dead. Am I getting this right?” She slowly nodded, her eyes glancing at the dead body as it was carried out of the bathroom by two medics on a stretcher of neon orange. He cleared his throat and her attention snapped to him immediately. “May I ask, Ms. Yoon, what were you doing between 8:15 and 8:45?”
“Are you accusing her of something?” A feisty woman with a heavy set of cameras around her neck brushed past one of the members of the group to step alongside her friend, anger obvious in her gait. “How could Eun Hye kill him? She was on stage with Enigma. The whole crowd could be her alibi!”
“Well, Miss…” Parker glanced back at his notebook for reference. “Park Kyo Yi… According to what Ikeda Rein said, if you recall she’s the head Medical Examiner, Mr. Lee hasn’t died for long. Maybe 30 minutes max. Ms. Yoon could have easily killed him before she took off to perform on stage with Enigma.”
“I did not kill him.” The woman in question replied with her head held up high. “And sir, haven’t you seen the sign?” She pointed to the big white/red sign on the wall to their right. “Please put out your cigarette. You can’t possibly talk, take notes, and smoke at the same time.”
Parker ignored her comment and took a puff of his cigar to boot.
“So before you went out of this room to perform, did you two have a fight?” He inquired.
“No.”
“No hitting, no pushing, no…”
“No.”
“No putting his head under the water, perhaps?” Parker said hopefully.
“That is enough.”
Parker’s eyes turned to look at the male who stepped up to Yoon Eun Hye’s defense, opposite of Park Kyo Yi.
“Hello.” Parker nodded.
“Are you accusing Eun Hye of something?” The man repeated with what Kyo Yi had asked a few minutes back.
“No, sir.” He glanced down at his notes and took note of what he had written. Jung Yun Ho, a hot blooded artist before quickly jotting down how the man had repeated the same question Kyo Yi had inquired.
“He drowned, right?” Yun Ho asked but didn’t wait for the answer. “In the matter of five minutes, how could she had hit him, drowned him, spilled water all over the place, and then go on stage as if nothing happened? If you ask me, there was no blood or water on her clothes when we met up so your inference is wrong.”
“Do they not say that celebrities are fast at changing clothes?” Ikeda Rein joined her partner and greeted the group with a bow, as was her habit. “Medical Examiner of the Ministry of Criminal Investigation Ikeda Rein at your service, guys. Nice to meet you. And to answer your question, Ms. Park, Ms. Yoon here could have done all the things you mentioned and then changed her clothes before meeting up with you without ever leaving a trace behind.”
“She can’t.” Kyo Yi justified. “Enigma‘s fashion concept prevents duplicates of the same dress.”
“I see.” Rein’s cold eyes glanced around the dressing room with its fluorescent lights illuminating the mirrors of the makeup area to the racks of clothes at the corner. She turned back to the group, her eyes intently focused on Yoon Eun Hye. “May I ask about your relationship with the victim, Ms. Yoon?”
“He’s one of my photographers.” Eun Hye answered. “And also one of my friends.”
“Did he have any enemies when he was alive?”
“None that I’m aware of.”
“What about you, Miss Park? You’re his boss, right?”
Kyo Yi shrugged.
“He gets in trouble once or twice. But he can take care of himself.” She said. “I can’t think of anyone that would want him dead though.”
Ikeda Rein glanced at the door.
“When Enigma was performing, this room wasn’t locked. Am I correct?”
Parker butted in.
“We’ll have to do further investigation for DNA and fingerprints. Everybody please get on queue. Leave all ten of your fingerprints and a drop of blood.” Following Parker’s announcement was only silence. Seeing this, he grunted. “I was just kidding. Some hair will do.”
Shaking her head at her partner’s dry humor, Rein cleared her throat and smiled at everyone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I wouldn’t have to tell you Mr. Lee was murdered here tonight and all of you present are suspects of the crime. Under Korea’s administration, the law expects that you will not leave the country under any given circumstances. If you have reasons to leave the country or even the city, please report to us of your whereabouts.”
“In short…” Parker smirked. “You have to be in our sight until we figure out who the perpetrator is.”
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Important Note
This is a collaboration of Viola501 and Eirallina. And we both have our own WordPress. So! To cut out unnecessary problems, we have come to the agreement that I, Viola, will post the odd chapters in my lair Fangs’ Castle. And Eirallina will post the even chapters in her Eirallina’s Compilation.
I’ll also add the chapters, both published in my and her WordPress, at Index page.
Excuse us for the inconvenience. Hope you enjoy reading the story ^__^
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Disclaimer: The following is a work of fiction. The events and characters are fictional and the celebrity names/images are merely borrowed and do not represent who the celebrity is in real life. No offense is intended towards them, their families or friends. This fan fiction is 100% written by us unless otherwise indicated. Do not redistribute, translate, or post in any place without the consent of Eirallina and Viola501. No joke. (If my twin doesn’t kill you, I will.)
© Eirallina and Viola501 2010. All rights reserved.
Compilation of Words from ex-Hottests
I posted them up here because these words can describe my feelings towards this hectic situation of 2PM, Jay and JYPE exactly.
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CREDITS : Bestiz (SOURCE) ; ___@2ONEDAY.COM (TRANS)
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First one : A Fan’s Open Letter to 6PM
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I just can’t understand.
You, the members, have been saying, “The personal life in which he did something a human should not do; something unspeakable,” and that it was for the best, that your silence shows your loyalty to Park Jaebum even though it has turned him into international trash with all sorts of rumors flying about. Yes, what a tear-inducing friendship.
Even though you are hearing words like, “Traitor-dol, Icon of Betrayal, psychopath, idiot, insane”, and more, you, the members, are saying that this is the best way to go for the Jaebum hyung that you all love. How incredibly admirable you are.
I don’t know what claims you had to make that “noble” decision to “keep your silence”, but it brings tears of gratitude again and again.
You, the members, said that the awe-inspiring reason of why it is not right to criticize the morality of someone who has done something bad is because even robbers have friends.
You, the members, said that you tried to stay together, but because he did something that would create cause for social criticism, you made the decision that he was unfit to be the leader of group 2PM. Even though it almost ripped your hearts out and made you crazy, but unfortunately, without a choice, truly, without a choice, you said that that was the decision that you guys had to make. You, the members, between heart and heart have said that you seven are one and you will forever be and to not be suspicious of your friendship.
If that is true, if I were you,
I would want to see Jaebum hyung a lot.
I would really, really want to see him.
That one member that said that fans were only with him for a mere year and eight months while you were all with him from three to five years, and if so, more than the fans that barely knew him for two years, you would hurt more and would want to see him more, but the hyung, Park Jaebum, that you all love and respect so, so much, you have not seen him since last September 8th.
You were all busy, you had no time, the conditions would not allow you to, you had no money, it was too far, you were mindful of the press, and you thought that it would create too much noise, and the company would not allow you to, would you try using these unbelievable reasons?
You, the members, have said that you will continue to say that you miss Jaebum hyung… If you had the will, it was possible. During those six months in Seattle, after he was treated like a he was part of an insect collection, because you would know better than us the state in which he was living, you cannot do this.
If you guys are at least “human”, if you at least had “manners” and “affection”, you cannot have done this.
The hyung that was the team’s leader, the one that you are keeping your hearts, you have not met up with him at least once to try and find a solution. What country’s methodology and common sense is this?
Park Jaebum was abandoned because of his unforgivable personal life and at the least, as humans, did you guys not think to feel sorry for him at all?
You said that your hearts hurt so, so much, that you felt like you were standing outside during winter without clothing, that you were in pain and hurting, from beginning to end, you guys continuously said pitiful things , but you did not make the smallest humane act at all.
The fans who only knew him for a mere two years were hurting [for him] so they were buying plane tickets and rushing to Seattle, and like someone said, in a world where you can buy a ticket and the very next day get on an airplane and fly to that destination, it is not like anybody is tying you guys down.
Hyung, it is okay…
Could you have not hugged him tightly and comforted him?
Because he is the hyung you guys still love and respect so much.
However, you did not even do the bare minimum and go to him.
This just shows that you did not have the will or even felt the need or desire to go.
Even if he really did have that type of personal life, you, of all people, should not have done this. You really should not have done this. If you are really human, you cannot have done this. How could you not go to see him at least once before ending everything? How could you do this?
This is why you are the human trash.
Even if Park Jaebum did something “a human should not do in [his] personal life”.
On your own, you just proved that you are the human trash.
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Second one : Words from an ex-2PM Fan
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Up until two weeks ago, I was the person that said that I support all seven of them.
So what am I now, you ask?
I’ve just decided not to be a fan anymore.
If you ask why I’m writing this here even though I’m not a fan anymore, let’s just say I’m writing this because I think that there might be exhausting people here like me who are saying useless things like how they supported and will support all seven of them. Bestiz is a community site that I’ve been active on since before 2PM and since 2AM is still around, I just haven’t been able to leave.
Anyways, what I want to say is, to those who are superficially (or perhaps truthfully) saying that you are going to support all seven of them and that you will continue to be fans of all of them, before you get stabbed in the back, either quitting being their fan like me or pick a side.
I can say and give you this piece of advice because I stupidly said that I support all seven of them. I’m telling you, even if there is a place that says that they support all seven of them, internally, there is no place that truly supports all seven of them. I’m certain that such a place does.not.exist.
There isn’t a place that equally supports all seven of them like the place you are imagining.
Even if they plan or do not plan it, all of them will start to be more biased towards 6pm and it will continue to be more like that in the future.
Once Park jaebum started to interact with the fans through youtube, as soon as they feel that this is actually damaging towards the six, I don’t know about how they’ll act on the surface, but internally, they will ruthlessly throw Park jaebum away. No, to be honest, there are a lot of places that have already abandoned him.
I’m going to say this again. Since I actually experienced this, and saw and heard about this, I can tell you this.
Supporting all seven of them?
It’s impossible.
One time, when I wrote that I supported all seven of them here, someone replied, “I would understand more if you say that you support the six or that you only support Park jaebum, but to say that you support all seven of them, that’s really a contradiction.”
Truthfully, at the time, I didn’t understand what that meant.
When people were saying that those who supported the seven are just avoiding reality, I just listened to it with one ear and let it go out the other.
But those words are true.
It is avoiding reality.
In reality, there is no way you can support all seven of them.
There are only three choices. You can support one or six or just stop being a fan altogether.
I was saying useless things because of the reckless feelings that I had, wanting to go back to the time before Park jaebum left, when the fans could like 2PM without worrying about anything.
But you need to face reality.
This is impossible.
That is all in the past now, and in the future, it can never go back to it.
Even if you decide and say you support all seven of them, the situation will never allow you to do so. Wouldn’t that only leave you with hurt?
If you cared and like Park jaebum more, you, especially, cannot do things like that.
That’s just the worst thing you can do to Park jaebum.
Even if that wasn’t your intention, in the end, you’re just going to use Park jaebum to support the six. In actuality, you wouldn’t even be supporting Park jaebum.
You would have no choice but to prioritize. This is the situation we are in now.
The front-running cafe for all the cafes that support all seven members…
While I was there, I was so shocked that I even quit being a fan because of it.
Supporting the seven?
Hahahaha
Why don’t you just like a new group that has seven members?
That would be a hundred times better.
I’m giving you a warning and advice beforehand, just in case there really are people who truly want to support all seven of them.
Before you get hurt even more, stop.
The reason why I gave up being a fan in the end is this.
Since I’m not talented and I don’t know how to do anything, and since I can’t help Park jaebum in any way, I, at least, did not want to become baggage [for him] so I decided to give up the crazy thought of supporting the rest of them as well.
Supporting the six who are still active, in the end, that is only baggage for Park jaebum, and is only using him.
Even if that is not your intention, the result is the same.
Even if you truly feel that way, I’m telling you the end result is the same.
I hope none of you will get backstabbed again.
I hope you will stop avoiding reality and accept it.
ps. Since this is an open community, I didn’t write about certain things that I know about. I also avoided stuff that will just start a fight. I don’t know how you guys will react to this since I just abruptly wrote this, but if you want to know more, just send me a message. The stuff I can tell you through messages, I will.
I also regret supporting all seven of them to the depths of my bones which is why I’ve decided to stop being a fan altogether. I’ll ignore the messages that I get about stuff about why I did what I did back then.
ps2. I’m not writing this to criticize or humiliate either Park jaebum’s fans or the fans of the six. As you can see from my post, I’m just saying that the two groups are clearly separate. I’m writing this because I want the people who are stupidly saying that they will continue to support the seven like me to think again.
I said it at the top, but now I’m just a passerby and I believe that I don’t have the right to support either side. I’m writing this because I think that there might be misunderstandings.
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Third one : My personal words
I was one of those avid 2PM fans. I originally got to know 2PM via Nichkhun as he’s a Thai kid who made it big in Korea, the land that we, Thai people, admire.
To tell you honestly, I wasn’t so impressed by their debut song “10 out of 10“
But it’s their dorky and boyish personalities that drawn me in. And of all these dorks, Jay Park stood out for me.
When asked who my favorite is in 2PM, I’d always say…
“No. 1 Jaebum, No.2 Nichkhun, No.3 Jang Wooyoung!”
I was very pleased with their comeback “Again and Again” and “I Hate You” and happy for them that their popularity rose. I believed, at that time, that one day, they could reach or even surpass the success that of the legendary Dong Bang Shin Ki. “The era of Flower Boys are over! It’s time for Beastly Boys!” That’s what I felt.
September, 2009. The first news came out.
Jaebum : “Korean is Gay. I hate Korea“
As a person who used to live aboard and experienced cultural shock, I completely understand Jaebum.
Korea is gay? If you ask 10 Americans about Asian boys/celebs, “Korean” to be specific, I believe 9 out of 10 (if not 10) would say they looked ‘Gay’.
I have heard that from my foreign friends a lot that I am so familiar with it. And I wasn’t surprised that Jay felt like that when he first came.
And look at it another way, Jay might haven’t talked about that gay “Gay” but gay as in “Stupid” or “Idiotic” just like what my friends keep calling Asian dudes.
“You’re still living with your parents though you’re 20s? That’s so gay”
“Open your eyes, dawg! You look gay”
They used it so randomly, to be honest =.=
I’m not saying this to justify Jay’s behavior back then, but I just want to explain why I wasn’t so upset like others to see his old days’ comments.
I truly thought it was just another little issue, and after a week or so, it would die down. No big deal.
4 days later, my most unexpected thing happened. Jay quit 2PM.
I was so shocked and was upset for weeks. And I was also angry. If SM can handle their artists suing them for slave contracts and many other scandals of their artists, If YG can handle the non-stop plagiarism cases of their composers and artists, why can’t JYP handle this little deal as stupid comments from ages ago?
That’s when I started to look for other explanation. And stumble on some comments in other blogs saying JYP is the one responsible, that Jay was actually kicked out. And much later on, I found the site Insider 2PM.
I know many are still skeptical about this site, the writers and their intention. I also find some of their attitude/comments of things differ from my own. But overall, about Jay’s situation, I think they have what I was looking for – A better and more logical explanation.
Though not so fond of TaecYeon‘s cocky attitude or Junho‘s and Chansung‘s bratty acts, I still supported them after Jay left. I disagreed with boycotting 2PM back then because I believed with all my heart that Jay would definitely be back. Khun is my pride and Wooyoung is so cute, Junsu‘s voice is also as heavenly as another Kim Junsu (DBSK). I was even more happy and exiting when they endorsed Cass Beer and filmed the CFs together with my most favorite actress, Yoon Eun Hye. But in the back of my mind, I keep thinking how great it would be if Jay was there with them. I always thought Jay and Eunhye would look good together even though she’s a bit too tall for him XD (YEH is 168 cm. tall)
But after that infamous conference, my mind totally changed.
How could I ever adore these people? How could they do this to their own hyung? How could these idols say such things to their own fans? How could JYPE let this happen?
I have said it more than once and I’d say it again. Whatever “severe wrong-doing” Jay did (IF he really did), it couldn’t be so severe that he is unforgivable. I believe that this wrong-doing is not illegally, or else, he would be put to face his consequences in the proper organization. So it’s most likely be something “morally” wrong. But what could it be that made his own members said he’s unforgivable?
If other celebrities, in the past, have committed great sins and still able to get back on their feet. Why can’t Jay? And for those people saying they wanted to protect him, they did nothing but dirty him more. If they truly cared for him, would they just said “Oh! He committed such great crime that we can’t accept him as leader!”
No! It’s like you’re exposing your friend’s secret to the public. I’m honestly surprised that Jay still support them.
And for something as important as to put one’s career to an end, they didn’t even properly consult it with the man face to face. Don’t tell me that talking on the phone or even Skype is enough. Because it isn’t!
Do YOU wish the people who hold your faith would tell you on the phone “Sorry, but we don’t need you anymore” just like that?
No matter how I look at it, 6PM‘s action can’t be justified. And that’s why I’m no longer their fans. Khun still gets my support, but not as 2PM. Don’t use the “Jay-bias” claim on me. I didn’t quit being Hottest because of Jay. I quit because of 6PM.
But lucky for you, 6PM. Unlike other die-hard fans, I don’t antagonize you. I’m not your fan, but also not your antis. I just don’t like you.
And I’m not being Jay’s fans because of sympathy either. I’m being his fan because I admire his well-rounded talent. And I do wish from the bottom of my heart that he could make it in America. Forget Korea, Jay, JYP would do anything to dirty you even more. American wouldn’t give shits about comments you made years ago or whatever scandals you did in the past.
Love and Respect.
My wish is with you, Jay.
2PM shattered the pride of Hottests
“The first illusion that 2PM broke, the friendship of men.”
The cable variety program that helped 2PM garner a stable fanbase was ‘Idol Army.’ Their popularity undeniable shot through the roof, where people have even said that it wasn’t Park Jinyoung that raised 2PM but Boom.
And at the center of the popularity was Park Jaebum. Unlike the crazy good looks of Nichkhun, this young man gave off a celebrity-like feel in 2PM but showed off antics that were completely the opposite of his image. A bit awkward, hilarious, and even willing to pull a stocking over his head. He rightfully earned the nickname ‘Leadja.’
However, this friendship and image was just an illusion created by fans. Under this friendship, there lied the belief that, “They will forever protect each other, they will uphold their friendship.” So when Park Jaebum left Korea, fans believed that the agency could throw away Jaebum, but not the 6 members.
Omitted summary.
Fans protected the members until the end, with the one belief that all 7 members must be together for 2PM to truly shine. Because the members themselves always promoted and wished for a 7 membered group.
That’s what they said, but whatever the reason, every single member, without one hesitation, agreed to 2PM Jaebum’s complete withdrawal. That alone came as a great shock to fans, nevermind the shocking confession they said soon afterwards. “A severe private life that we can never accept Jaebum for.”
And with that statement, they so cruelly broke the illusion of ‘friendship’ to their fans, a trait that was unique to their group.
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“The president of culture, even Seo Taiji shouts to his fans, ‘I only have you guys.’”
Although he is the president of culture today, Seo Taiji was also one person in a crowd of many singers. How he became the figure that he is today, an icon of culture, is because of the special way he treated his fans. When a song he wrote himself was banned, fans protected him. When Seo Taiji and Boys disbanded, fans waited for him until the end.
And when Seo Taiji finally returned and the mass public didn’t look at his comeback with positive eyes, the fans protected him and added wings to every thing he did. That’s why he is now, different from many other singers, not an icon of the ‘past’ but an icon of the ‘present.’
And Seo Taiji knows more than anybody else that this was not done with his efforts alone but by the strength of his fans. Every album except his first holds songs he wrote in honor and love for his fans. That’s how much he loves them.
As if that wasn’t enough, whenever he gets the chance, he always tell his fans, ‘You guys are the best,’ ‘The only thing that matters is if you guys and I enjoy it,’ I only have you guys.’
This is what a relationship between a star and a fan is.
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“Do we only have to do what the fans tell us to do?”
However, after listening to the recording, the shock is unbelievable. 2PM needs the love of fans more than ever but instead, they have said statements that outright reject the relationship between a star and a fan.
Quite a shocking statement that a member said to his fan was, “Do we have to only do what you gus want us to do?” Of course, a star is not the puppet of his fans but any fan would want their star to respect their opinion because the reason the stars are put in the spot that they are is because of the efforts of fans.
Either way, there was no reason for 2PM to go out of their way to tell their fans that “We are not someone that will do as you say.” It’s quite a dangerous statement.
“2PM, they think their image to the mass public is more important than their fans?”
Secondly, there’s a lot of parodies going around about a members’ statement regarding organisms.
It is really the fans that helped them receive the attention and fame that they have, but to put the importance of other organisms before their fans? It can only come off as betrayal to the fans theselves. Fans are the energy of the stars, the shield to block attacks and a strong pillar of strength. But for 2PM to have chosen the mass public, or in his case, the organisms, before the fans, how much betrayal could the fans have felt?
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“Was reality not ‘You and I are one?’”
Fans believe an illusion where the fans and the stars are one. This is another illusion that 2PM has so cruelly shattered in front of the fans through the conference. With statements such as “Then do you want us to be sad in public places?” or “We can’t even go on vacations anymore?”
To 2PM, Hottests were a source of strength and had always worked with the belief that 2PM, including Jaebum, are one with Hottests. But no matter how big of a mistake Jaebum has committed, the bright and accusatory image they showed at the conference was something that came across as unacceptable to fans. They should have been sad. Mentally, they should have been upset.
“We are one… When we’re happy, we’re happy together. When we’re said, we rely and believe in one another. We’re that special ‘one.’” The fans have been unable to do anything for days, weeks on end out of grief but how could the members, no matter their occupation, without one hesitation, and ever so brightly, say they wanted to enjoy their vacation?
It was from that moment on that the line between the fans the 2PM were drawn.
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“We waited for so long with just that one belief…”
Omitted summary on 1:59 album and award speeches.
Conclusively, when 2PM shattered the illusions that their fans held, the fans are forced to look at the reality of the situation. The reality that the fans are facing now is the fact that “In order for 2PM to succeed, they have thrown away the fans.” The fans have received a wound in their pride that nothing can ever wash away.
Why?
Because before the fact that they are 2PM fans, they are human beings.
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“Who is the most hurt?”
– Look at the forest, not the tree. These people are not Park Jaebum’s personal fans. They are 2PM’s fans.
The reason why I am writing this article today is because the ones that are the most hurt with this situation are the fans that have truly, truly loved 2PM to the best of their ability and the fact that nobody is in support of them.
They are the people that loved and trusted the group enough to buy products just because it had their faces on it, people that made time in their busy schedules to watch the broadcasts the boys came out on so the viewer ratings will go up, people that believe that their pride is their star.
They have withstood it all with that one pride and have supported them through it all. But what did 2PM do? They have shattered their illusion and the last pride left in the fans.
And that is why 2PM’s fans are so angry.
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CREDITS : NAVER (SOURCE) ; hazyfiasco@2ONEDAY.COM (TRANS)
2PM – Professional Situation Analysis
Antist to Hottest, is it possible? Professionals analyze the situation
“Not 2PM but 6PM, not Beastly Idols but Traitor Idols.”
“We will show you that fans turned antis are the scariest.”
Omitted summary on situation.
JYPE attempted to settle any doubts and suspicions through their conference. The fans have revealed their stance, stating that they are clearly unable to support the decisions of the 6 members and have instead turned into antis. Hundreds of fan cafe’s have deleted themselves and a fancafe with over 100k members, Hwansang, has turned boycott. There has even been a new cafe created named ‘Antist,’ a play on 2PM’s official fanclub, ‘Hottest.’
It’s an exceptional, never before seen situation where the fans of an artist and a company have turned into anti’s, not because of a group’s disbandment, but because of one member’s withdrawal. Professors of societal studies at Joong Ang University, Lee Nayoung and Jung Minwoo, compared the situation through a ‘family relationships’ model. This study was released last October entitled ‘The fandom that manages the stars, the company that manages the fandom,’ explaining a model relationship that can be explained through ‘Fandom-Star-Agency’ translating into ‘Mother-Son-Father.’
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- The first generation fandoms were not able to prevent the disbandment of HOT.
The professors marked 2000 as the date of birth of fandoms in Korean society, a time where the first generation idols, HOT, Sechskies, SES, FinKL, and GOD, were actively promoting.
For the first generation fandoms, the stars they adored took all of their full attentions. Because of that, they would focus on one group and ignore the others. Bae JiEun (29), an HOT fan during her teen years, revealed, “In our class, the HOT fans and the Sechkies fans did not get along well.”
As the first generation, the fandoms did not get influenced by the agency. According to the study mentioned above, “The first generation fandoms were angered and enraged over the agency’s way of handling things regarding the stars they loved. However, it was not enough to change or divide the fandom.”
The first generation idol groups disbanded early 2000 whether their fandoms could help it or not. This effectively started the movement of fandoms, a time where change could be seen. A first generation HOT fan that participated in the study stated, “In order to prevent HOT from disbanding, the fans gathered to try a variety of things, but ultimately, none of it worked and we failed.” However, she went on to state, “Some time later, the GOD fandom bought stocks in order to obtain rights and were able to prevent the withdrawal of one of their members.”
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- The second generation fandom that has entered in a close contract with the agency.
After the disbandment of the first generation idols, the second half of 2000 brought up about the second generation of idols, DBSG, Super Junior, Wonder Girls, Girls’ Generation, and 2PM.
CD’s turned into mp3’s, changing the way agencies ran their companies. A professor stated, “It’s now changed so that the aim of companies are to get their idol stars on a straight path to stardom, and then cash in on all of the opportunities in that short amount of time.”
In order for the companies to bring in income, they’ve resorted to selling ringtones, photobooks, balloons for the fandom, etc. From this moment on, they began to see the fandoms from a different angle. They went into a contract, so to speak, with the fandoms in order to drive up their income.
The second generation fandoms call themselves the ‘customer.’ Because they have the purchasing power, fandoms are now able to demand ‘customer satisfaction’ from the stars.
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- The mother (fandom) that raises the child (star) to become the best.
Another attribute of the second generation fandoms are the ‘support’ they give for their stars. Their aim is simple: to bring the stars they like to the top of the top. It’s easily compared to a mother’s feelings for her child to be raised in the best possible way. The professor has stated, “The star is the son, the fandom is the mother, and the agency that gives life to the star plays the role of the father.”
The father (agency) sets up the groundwork financially while the mother (fandom) raises the star to be ready to set forth in the entertainment market. They are also the ones that must map out the futures of the stars, taking into account all of the stars’ conditions and qualifications. They are the managers that put it all into action.
However, problems easily arise from the fact that the level of the father and the mother aren’t equal.
As much as the mother raises the son, she wants to exert that much more influence. Unfortunately, the father only accepts the mother’s proposals, such as new products, at his convienance. The fandom plays the role of the mother but the agency does not view them as anything more than a ‘sister customer.’
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- JYP is the patriarchal father that does not listen to the opinions of the mother.
The 2PM controversy is born from the same context.
September of 2009, JYPE withdrew Jaebum from the group and put him on a plane to America within four days. Fans against his withdrawal gathered at the airport and protested but the situation did not change.
Professor Lee stated, “If it’s a private matter, the father leaves it to the mother to manage it. However, when it advances into a public problem, the father steps up and handles it from there. When that happens, the opinion of the mother (fandom) becomes ignored. Jaebum’s controversy can be explained through this exact simulation, making JYPE look like the patriarchal father.”
She went on to criticize, “When Jaebum’s controversy first exploded, it became a big issue because of the issue of nationalism. However, the actual issue was only a mere episode. The company had to have stayed back and waited for the reaction of the fans and ask for their opinion before making such a drastic move.”
Since it was the fandom that raised the idols themselves, it is also the fandom that is the most hurt with the controversy, making it that much more important to seek out their opinion.
She expressed her disappointment, stating, “JYPE only views the idol groups as a tool to develop the industry. The agencies raise the idols from a young age as a family. However, if JYPE truly saw Jaebum as a part of his own family, he would not have thrown him away so easily.”
- The fandom threw away 2PM? 2PM and the agency threw away the fandom?
Omitted summary.
Professor Jung Minwoo stated, “After the conference, the fandom became split.” Before the conference, there was belief. Belief in the fact that the members would not have really agreed to Jaebum’s complete withdrawal. However, the truth was revealed at the conference and that belief shattered.
The belief of the fandom was ‘2PM is 7’ or ‘The members are brothers.’ Professor Jung stated, “It’s not the physical attributes like the beastly male image or the muscles the fandom was attracted to, but the brotherly love. That’s where the focus was.” Because of that belief, the fact that the six members agreed to withdraw Jaebum came as betrayal.
“The conference became a place where the father was telling the mother that the son was on the father’s side the whole time. The mother realized that there was nothing left she could do. Because of that reason, it is not the mother that threw away her son, but rather the father and son that threw away the mother. By releasing the members’ private social lives, it is the mother’s last attempt at showing the injustice of it all.”
A pop music critic, Producer Kim, made a statement regarding the ‘Son-Mother-Father’ model, saying, “It’s very convincing. The way JYPE treated the fans, it’s easy to see that they are being ignored. The fans probably felt that a psychological share was stolen from them. The deprivation was probably harsh.”
“Looking at it from an industrial standpoint, the agency holds the power but the fans like to believe that their power lies in their star. However, when the only one with the power, the agency, steps up and begins to control Jaebum’s fate, fans are forced to admit reality of the power struggle. That’s when such an explosive reaction occurs.”
Pop culture critic, Lee Moonwon, agreed to Professor Lee’s model, stating, “The fans are the ones that raised the the stars. The feeling of betrayal that they feel is that much greater. Ever since the disbandment of HOT, the fans have increasingly began to feel repulsion towards the company. The 2PM controversy is happening because the fans feel that their opinions weren’t heard and instead were rejected.”
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- Antist to Hottest, is it possible?
After having changed from Hottest to Antist, will it be possible for them to change back to Hottest?
Jung Minwoo stated, “Fandoms are known to grow and disperse. If this was like any other normal situation, it is a possibility. However, I consider it difficult to change back in the case of such a torn fandom like 2PM’s.” Although there are still personal fans that exist within the fandom, the majority of those that followed a 7 membered 2PM have now become ‘Antists,’ and as predicted by Jung Minwoo, they will remain as ‘Antists.’
Pop culture critic Lee Moonwoon also stated, “It’s easy for love to turn into hate, but not as easy for hate to turn into love.” Pop music critic Producer Kim added on, stating, “When Jaebum first left Korea, the protest that was demonstrated by the fans were acts of love. However, what the fans are doing now as Antists are acts of revenge. The possibility of them returning back to Hottests are low.”
Professor Lee emphasized, “JYPE probably predicted the fans’ reaction. If they are able to get the rest of the members under control and develop them as singers, they will obtain a new fandom. However, they must self reflect in order for the same mistakes to never happen again.”
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CREDITS : DONGA NEWS (SOURCE) ; hazyfiasco@2ONEDAY.COM (TRANS)
An Uneventful Day
26 Feb, 2010
So here I am, addicting to my own blog =.=
I have 2 major projects on hiatus because the exams are next weeks, but I still can’t get myself to read anything. Spending my entire day in front of the computer screen. If I wasn’t a computer geek before, I think I’m becoming one =P
Though today is uneventful, my head has been spinning with some events. First, Jay Park permanent leave from his band 2PM. Second, Yoon Eun Hye and her bitchy half-ass fans with her copy-cat. Third, my close friend whom somehow I had a crush on even though we’ve seen each other around for ages and he has a girlfriend. And lastly, my notorious Business Plan.
Let’s talk about Jay aka. Park Jaebeom a little. He is was the leader of my favorite 2PM. He is one of the most talented guys I have seen in Kpop idols industry! Well, I have to say the idols usually are just faces or persona, so seeing some talent every once in a while is a good change, eh? 😉
So in September last year, his Myspace messages in which he wrote on the personal page ages ago got exposed to public. People were disappointed and mad at him. Some haters did a petition for him to commit suicide. Merely a week after, he made his decision to leave for the States to self-reflect himself. After he left, things took an abrupt turn with Antis apologizing, Hottests showed their support to the band and even went as far as to boycott the 6-member 2PM or the so-called 1:59PM.
I think JYP was wise, giving the nation some times to cool down, and then started talking about bringing him back. Creating some hypes and hopes every now and then about his comeback. But they are no good this time around.
They said back in December, he confessed he did something wrong during Again and Again promo. And apparently, it’s far worse than the stupid Myspace message. They also stated that they were planning on his comeback as 2PM in this April almost right after he went back to his home town. (Why the hell they just keep that little info. to themselves? Telling us now when we know he’s not coming back) But for whatever reason, they can’t tell the public what was it Jay did wrong…
Now I wonder… What was his crime during that promo? Was it killing, raping, stealing or cheating? I think it’s clear that this is not legally wrong, or he would be sent directly to court. Then it must be something morally wrong. But what the heck is it?
I’m really confused, you know? While some celebrities can get away with DUI (Kim Jaejoong, Kang In, etc.), Killing people in Hit-and-Run (Jo Hyung Ki, Lee Hyun Woo), and Drug usage + dealing (Joo Ji Hoon, Lee Seung Chul) with Korean and netizens alike embracing them with both arms open, why can’t they forgive Jay for this little mistake he made years ago? And whatever he morally did wrong, it couldn’t be that hard to forgive, right?
As quoted from Eirallina “It’s conspiracy”
There must be some more to it. Something that make Jay wish not to return, and/or JYPE wish him not to return. I don’t think JYPE don’t want his comeback. The 1:59PM never have the fans’ full support ever since their leader left. JYP knows that Jay is the key.
So I came down to this lunatic conclusion…
Jay got married to his girlfriend during Again and Again promo. Right now, she’s pregnant with his baby. So he’d rather be a B-boy daddy then being Kpop idol. And JYP can’t let him come back coz fangirls over the world would be dropped dead with broken hearts.
I know I’m fantasizing too much… but hey! It does sound logical to me!
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Okay, I’ll end this rant with this and I’ll rant on other things later 😉
Goodnight~
Castle of A Beast 
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