Former idol looks at K-pop scene with sadness

Kim Isak, a former K-pop group Isak N Jiyeon’s member

By Kim Hyo-jin

A first-generation K-pop star looks at today’s entertainment scene with a great deal of regret.

“Nowadays, young singers have to work for an album, while meeting overseas concert obligations and shooting a music video on the side,” Kim Isak told The Korea Times.

Isak was a member of a R&B group Isak N Jiyeon in the early 2000s.

“The K-pop scene has totally changed,” said the former idol, 29, who has an American father and Korean mother.

The Korean-American, whose American name is Ida Simmons, quit S.M. Entertainment in 2012 when her 10-year contract expired.

She recalled spending time as a trainee with Girl’s Generation.

In 1998, she joined S.M. Entertainment, which has grown to be the industry leader with over 200 billion won in annual earnings and more than 100 stars in its stable.“I learned everything that I needed to be an artist in that period,” she said.

Her group was disbanded after its first album was released. She has moved on as a musical star and VJ.

Nowadays, it is hard to find the kind of amicable breakup that Isak had with S.M.

In May, Kris of the popular K-pop band EXO, originally with 12 members, sued the agency, claiming it had “treated me like a machine.”

Kris and Luhan, EXO’s two other members, have been trying to end their S.M. contract.

Then, Jessica of Girls’ Generation also called it quits.

Isak said the agencies had gone too far.

“S.M. CEO Lee Soo-man used to look after me like a father, having meals with S.M. artists and asking how we were doing,” Isak remembered. But he was now too busy.

More importantly, she said the big issue was to how to share the bigger pie into which the industry had grown.

“If you think you get a smaller share than you think you deserve, then it causes friction” said Isak, adding that many young pop stars consulted with her.

But communication was a two-way street, Isak said, adding that many young trainees who signed professional contracts sometimes lacked the confidence to bring up their issues directly with the agency.

“The company actually spends tens of thousands of dollars to prepare for three minutes on the stage,” she said.

“But it seems that young stars take the agency’s investment for granted. I advise them that rather than letting your anger grow, demand your rights professionally by talking one-to-one with the agency.”