During a live broadcast, SHINee Taemin lent his voice to SM Entertainment staff & asked the company to raise their salaries to match the hard work they exerted for the artists.
SHINee Taemin Exposes SM Staff’s Low Salaries: ‘Their salaries should match our reputation…’
On November 17, SHINee Taemin held a live broadcast on the fandom-communicating platform, Weverse and talked with Shawols.
As per usual, the male idol comfortably gave fans updates about his day including his schedules and abundantly answered fans’ questions in the live comment section.
Every moment felt light during interaction with fans until Taemin used his platform to talk about significant issues and concerns that most idols wouldn’t dare to address.
In particular, the “Move”singer brought up SM Entertainment’s rather low salary for its staff, which Taemin implied doesn’t compensate for the hard work and product that they are rendering adequately.
[Translation by @/yeojpg | X]
“I know how hard SM Entertainment staff works, so I don’t want to talk bad about SM. But there are times when I don’t understand the decisions made by (upper management). Even if I were to have an ordinary job, I’d be bound to have some sort of complaints.”
i know how hard the sm staff works, so i don’t want to talk bad about sm. but there are times when i don’t understand the decisions made by (upper management). even if i were to have an ordinary job, i’d be bound to have some sort of complaints.
— 여두둥 (@yeojpg) November 17, 2023
He added:
“I think our company’s salary isn’t that high. but everyone works with so much passion. It’s a company where you make little money but you work a lot. and I know how hard our fans support us.”
i think our company’s salary isn’t that high. but everyone works with so much passion. it’s a company where you make little money but you work a lot. and i know how hard our fans support us.
— 여두둥 (@yeojpg) November 17, 2023
The star showed his awareness about how workers would enter the company with a positive outlook but would eventually run away after not meeting their expectations (including financially). This led the remaining staff to work even harder.
taemin was talking about how people in sm actually works very hard despite being paid not that well. taemin “people who join sm will be like ‘ohh??? What is this??? Save me pleaseeee!!’ and then escape” ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ pic.twitter.com/kS6wPh0dZ7
— ٌ (@iheartshinee_) November 17, 2023
“The company is expanding but there’s no money, I don’t understand how it’s getting bigger.”
some people enter the company and run away bc the reality didn’t match their expectations. so the people who stay behind work hard. the company is expanding but there’s no money, so i don’t understand how it’s getting bigger LOL
— 여두둥 (@yeojpg) November 17, 2023
Lastly, although smiling brightly, Taemin spoke for the staff and pleaded:
“That’s right, raise our staff’s salaries! We have the deepest history among Korea’s entertainment agencies so raise our staff’s salaries to match our reputation!”
The correct translation is “Raise the salary of our staffs” . He is referring to the salary of staffs/managers/other employees in SM. Some of you think he is asking for a raise of his own contract as well but that’s not true! https://t.co/kMZTaFhRxP
— 콩닥콩닥 (@xoalsace) November 17, 2023
SHINee Taemin Sells Out Solo Concert ‘Metamorph’ to be Held in December
Meanwhile, Taemin, who recently returned with his fourth mini-album, “Guilty”in October heralds a solo concert, “METAMORPH”in December.
On November 7, a ticket presale was held for SHINee World Fanclub members followed by a general ticket reservation on the 9th. In a span of two days, all tickets were sold out, realizing Taemin’s ticket power and hot popularity.
Due to high demand, additional tickets were opened on Nov.14, after it was decided to open limited seats to accommodate more audience.
The performance will be held at Inspire Arena in Yeongjong-do, Incheon, from December 16 to 17, and will be filled with a high-quality stage that combines Taemin’s attractive music, performance, and colorful production, drawing keen attention.