2014 has brought out the darker side of k-pop. The latest disaster is the BAP vs TS Entertainment situation.  On November 26, 2014, the six members of B.A.P allegedly filed a lawsuit against TS Entertainment with the Seoul Western District Court. The reason: slave contracts.

Granted that is not what the “official” wording is…but that’s the laymen’s term.  As an international fan, I know next to zero about the details of being a Korean pop star. I read an interesting article on slave contracts  that gave me a little more insight on not just this situation but EXO, JYJ and countless other groups/idols (EYK also has a great TL;DR on slave contracts).

First of all: DAMN.

I have heard about slave contracts. I think that it is something a serious k-pop fan knows about but it may  not really know about.  I feel like every concert I’ve been to has not really helped the artist, but actually have hurt them because it has probably increased the B.E.P (break even point) rather then decrease it.

In my mind when you become a star, you have all the money you could dream of. You can buy whatever you want, love whomever you want and basically live the life you’ve dreamed of. This year has shown me (and countless others I’m sure) that is not the case.

Once you sign with a company, they tell you when to eat, sleep, breathe…EVERYTHING. Yet many men and women continue to sign to these companies because they dream of something greater *sigh*

Alright so now it’s been 3 years and you’ve become an “idol” and you’ve been performing around the world with 5 mini-albums, 2 full length albums under your belt. You have millions of fans….and you’re completely broke. You haven’t reached your break even point, shit you don’t even KNOW what your break even point is because the company is dodging your questions. What would you do?

Shoot I’d probably go buckwild crazy.

B.A.P. did the only sensible thing they could do…file a lawsuit. Does this mean they want to get out of the k-pop life? Honestly I don’t know. I would want to. How can you trust a company after all this?

As an international fan, I really feel at a loss. I went to their concert in DC. I’ve bought albums, singles, matokis…did I help or hurt them? I’ve read so many comments against BAP about they’re breaking their contracts, TS Entertainment is great company…blah blah blah.

You don’t know what is going through the members mind’s right now. I’d be mad as hell and scared shitless. No matter what, I support the 6 members and hope that they continue to make music together. I’d follow those young men if they decided to become street performers (hire me as part of your security crew).

I know this post is sort of all over the place but that’s how my mind is about this situation…all over the place. Let me know your thoughts on B.A.P and the rest of the idols that are opting to break from their groups/companies this year. I am really interested to know.