Did JYPE really trash Jaebum?

Did JYPE really trash Jaebum?

Silent Jaebum, frustrated fandom, and JYPE full of regret.

To use when needed and to throw away when not. This is one of the greatest reasons that the fandom of 2PM is enraged over with the recent complete withdrawal of Jaebum. The fandom states that JYP Entertainment and the remaining six members trashed Jaebum. It is only one member that has disappeared from 2PM but 2PM soon turned into 6PM and beastly idols turned into traitor idols. And ironically, with 2PM at the top of their musical careers, Jaebum still holds a large share of their income. During the group's debut stages, it was Jaebum that acted as the leader of the group in cable shows in order to get their name known, and it was also Jaebum that sealed 2PM’s name to the public as he was chased out of Korea last September. A tragedy for Jaebum was used as a positive force by 2PM.

Did JYPE really throw Jaebum away? We will never know but we are able to speculate from circumstances. During last year’s year end ceremonies, one of the largest entertainment awards requested for Jaebum to appear with 2PM for the ceremony. Their reason was simple. They believed that JYPE was preparing for Jaebum’s return and that they were in their final stages. JYPE rejected their offer, stating that they could not alienate the other award ceremonies with Jaebum only appearing for one of them.

A popular advertising agency within the nation stated, “In the industry, everyone was confident that Jaebum’s return to 2PM was only a matter of time. I know that there were many advertising contracts that included Jaebum in their terms for his return.” Another associate also stated, “It truly was only a matter of how dramatic his return would be. Everybody believed that his return was inevitable.”

But the situation reversed. Going by what JYPE has revealed, on December 22nd, Jaebum confessed to his mistake and the information was relayed to the members on January 3rd. By January 6th, Jaebum’s fate was sealed. 2PM’s fandom asks, “How could a company that is supposed to protect Jaebum, how could the six members that have shared their joys and sorrows with Jaebum, just agree so easily to his termination within three days?” This is a question that is only definite, a question coming from a fandom that truly loved Jaebum.

However, JYPE already prepared their answers as if they predicted the fandom’s questions. On the 25th of February, JYPE stated, “Although we are unable to reveal the exact mistake, it is definitely more severe than his mistake from September and an even greater mistake that will affect society.” The problem with their statement is that any further explanation is completely omitted from their statements except the phrase, ‘severe private life,’ a phrase that is highly ambiguous in itself.

JYPE had always revealed their efforts for Jaebum’s return along with the remaining members. JYPE once stated, “We are on standby for Jaebum’s return. All of the advertisements that 2PM is contracted for are not under six members but seven in anticipation of Jaebum’s return.” They also stated, “Last November, Jaebum agreed to a return with an April album release and we are planning his return to the country in late February along with a press conference. By March, it is confirmed for 2PM to be promoting as seven once more.”

Regardless, all of it was a vain attempt. The only thing that is left is that Jaebum was terminated due to a severe private life mistake and all of the plans JYPE planned were unfortunately put to rest. The mass public heightened their senses to the many possibilities surrounding Jaebum’s private life and 2PM’s fandom became increasingly enraged at JYPE for tagging Jaebum with a scarlet letter. Why did JYPE have to specifically express Jaebum’s withdrawal through a private life mistake?

A famous entertainment agency stated, “It is true that I’m a bit surprised by JYPE. When most idol groups go through a member change or a withdrawal, it’s a sensitive issue so it is handled by saying that the member in question has personal matters to attend to. That’s how it is handled. Even if the member does have something severe, it is never revealed. JYPE never had to specifically say that Jaebum has committed a grave private life mistake. He could’ve been withdrawn through other ways.”

However, JYPE clearly stated something that they had no reason or need to state. Why? JYPE’s Jung Wook representative stated at the conference, “If we do not speak honestly, the fandom will doubt us which is why we are revealing this as honestly as we can. We wrote our notification with the entire nation as our target audience. We cannot lie to the nation. We also did not want the members to be betrayed by Jaebum’s private life mistake if the issue should come up again later. The six members are more important than one.”

At the conference, Jung representative and the remaining six members were busily stating that Jaebum had repeatedly committed an unimaginable private life mistake and that others also knew of it. They stated that they wanted to protect him which is why they were never revealing the truth. Whether the revealing they are speaking of is just information or a product, we will never know.

JYPE’s situation turned worse by the end. An associate of the celebrity industry stated, “It seems like JYPE knew that if they weren’t specific with Jaebum’s withdrawal reason, 2PM’s fandom would only further step back which is why they went ahead and stated that it was a private life mistake. Regardless, it gave the mass public too many options of speculation regarding Jaebum’s mistake. The company made a mistake by underestimating the fandom.”

The reality of the anger of 2PM’s fandom is unimaginable. They never forgot about Jaebum and waited for him day by day. Eventually, he was never able to return to them. It was a situation they had never expected. In such a tragic moment, JYPE threw to them the variable of a private life mistake. Instead of rationally thinking why Jaebum had to leave 2PM, their emotions took over their decisions. This was the beginning and end of their needs.

- Conspiracy

Another key phrase of Jaebum’s 2PM withdrawal is ‘the abode of devils.’ 2PM’s fandom believes that a conspiracy is behind Jaebum’s true withdrawal and that he was the sacrifice. They also believe that JYPE and the remaining members did not want Jaebum’s return. Regardless, it is only beliefs without any evidence.

The conspiracy has reached its final stages. If JYPE intentionally withdrew Jaebum, there must be a special reason. Before the fact that 2PM is an idol singer, they are a company product. If they are not able to turn a profit, their presence is useless. Was it profitable for JYPE to throw away Jaebum?

Professionals shake their head. An associate of the advertising industry stated, “Although the advertisements that 2PM is currently starring in are bright, there’s a slight tinge of sadness in all of them because of the loss of one member. If Jaebum was to return to 2PM, the effect of it would be huge.” Jaebum’s return to 2PM would not have been negative profit wise.

Another associate stated, “A lot of cell phone and fashion advertisers that cater to the younger audience sent love calls to 2PM. It’s obvious that with Jaebum’s return, the amount of offers they receive would be immense.” There was also another professional that calculated 2PM’s worth to go up by the millions with Jaebum’s return. Broadcasting agencies were of the same sentiment. An associate stated, “2PM is still the most sought after cast for variety programs. If Jaebum were to come back, they’d receive more offers than imaginable.”

It was recently revealed that JYPE’s financial situation is not positive. With the Wonder Girls entering the American music market last year, much of the company’s financial efforts were directed towards them. The amount of profit that they would have earned with the return of Jaebum is not something that is easily overlooked. This is one of the reasons why the speculation that JYPE forcefully withdrew Jaebum is weak.

After Jaebum withdrew from 2PM and returned to Seattle, the music industry spoke of Jaebum’s comeback scenarios. Although Jaebum was pushed to the corner, the amount of sympathy that he received was quicker. Many knew that if he was to return to 2PM, their popularity would have shot through the roof. With DBSG’s difficult promotions, 2PM was up against Big Bang. Jaebum’s comeback was truly only a matter of how dramatic it would be but to 2PM, he was their hidden card.

There are also rumors that the parents of the 2PM members did not want Jaebum’s return. With parents concerned over their child’s idol decisions, they frequently step forward in order to make sure that their child receives the most amount of spotlight and make sure that the group does not fall apart. Although they are sometimes in a tug-of-war with the company, they usually move towards the direction of company reasoning.

JYPE has terminated Jaebum’s contract. By law, they have no relation to one another. If JYPE forcefully trashed him, he is in a position where he can step forward either himself or through an associate and reveal the behind story. He can also sue for slander if he wishes. Regardless, Jaebum and his parents remain silent on the issue. If what 2PM’s fandom is stating is correct, that this whole situation is a conspiracy, his silence is difficult to understand. It is one of the weaknesses of a conspiracy.

- Where is 2PM headed?

Due to Jaebum’s withdrawal, 2PM is in a dire situation. They are in their prime time but are hit with a bomb and their image is only further falling. Their come back is just as hard. Wooyoung and Taecyeon’s individual activities are also in a fragile state. Advertisement agencies are not taking it as seriously. Although fans continue to call in with messages of disagreement, they have stated that they do not see anything else that is wrong. The problem is the future. If the situation worsens, it is the advertisement agencies that will also feel the effects of it.

JYPE has caused 2PM’s chaotic future to become more opaque. Their idea of a conference for the fans was a rather fresh idea. Future agencies might consider the option of a conference when dealing with a withdrawal. The only problem with this method was that JYPE presented a one sided notification of Jaebum’s withdrawal and not a discussion like originally planned. The company and the six members had already made their decisions and the fans were forced to accept the decisions in their entirety.

The minute the fans heard the six members agree to Jaebum’s withdrawals, their hearts were ripped into pieces. It was a moment where JYPE’s decision became a blunder.

JYPE has a history of moving head on whenever their idol groups are met with problems. Group GOD’s Park Junhyung and Yoon Kyesang’s controversial withdrawals were covered up with the success of their next album. Wonder Girls’ Hyunah’s withdrawal was covered with the success of ‘Tell Me.’ It is one of the strengths of producer Park Jinyoung. Will he succeed once more through music? The problem that lies before him is that 2PM’s image is already a mess. In just one morning, JYPE and 2PM’s fandom became mortal enemies. How will their ending be recorded in idol history?

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CREDITS : CHOONGBOK ILBO (SOURCE) ; hazyfiasco@2ONEDAY.COM (TRANS)