By Cho Jae-hyon
Staff Reporter
SM Entertainment, the agency for five-member K-pop boy band TVXQ, said Friday the group's domestic comeback that was originally planned for early next year won't come to fruition as three rebellious members remain defiant against the agency.
In reaction, the three defiant members spoke out about what they called a "slave-like contract," saying they wouldn't talk with the agency until their demands were respected.
Amid the escalating conflict, their planned tour to China has been cancelled, with each side pointing fingers at the other.
Lim Sang-hyuk, a lawyer for the three rebellious members ― Xiah, Micky and Hero ― said the agency had to respect the recent interim decision by a court which ruled partially in favor of the trio and must share profits with the members.
In late October, the court ruled that they could appear in movies, dramas and commercials without approval from the agency.
"They can talk with the agency only when these demands are met," the lawyers said.
He said SM Entertainment "unilaterally" cancelled the tour scheduled for Nov. 21 in China by not showing the terms of the contract.
"It's regrettable that the agency cancelled the Chinese tour at its own discretion," he said.
SM Entertainment said that the three members failed to reply by the Nov. 12 deadline set by the agency to make a decision on the band's domestic activities next year.
The band has not performed domestically since the conflict surfaced, though they occasionally had shows in other Asian nations.
"The three members didn't meet the deadline. This means they virtually rejected being TVXQ members," it said in a statement. "Therefore, their domestic comeback became impossible. It's regrettable for the company, which has wanted to see the continuation of the band."
It said the three members notified the company of their decision not to take part in the "Asian Tour ― Mirotic," which was scheduled to start in Shenzhen, China, and was contracted in June with a Chinese company.
The agency said the three members had given written consent on a number of occasions that they would abide by all schedules that were already set, regardless of ongoing legal disputes.
"The opening of other Asian tour programs became uncertain with their refusal to partake in the Chinese tour," it said.
SM Entertainment also expressed concerns about the adverse impact the cancellation of the tour would have on the band and its agency.
"The image of TVXQ abroad is expected to sustain huge damage. It will also negatively affect other Korean artists' activities in China," the agency said.