[instiz] SM WITHOUT LEE SOOMAN, ABSENSE DEEPLY FELT… ONGOING CONTROVERSIES INVOLVING THE ARTISTS

Since the departure of founder Lee Sooman, SM Entertainment has repeatedly come under fire due to internal confusion and a string of controversies involving its artists. Despite declaring a new era of transformation and innovation following a shift in management structure, critics argue that the company is now revealing clear signs of a leadership vacuum and a lack of proper artist oversight.

One of the most recent figures at the center of controversy is BoA, an SM director and longtime artist. On April 5th, during a personal live broadcast with former announcer and entertainer Jun Hyunmoo, BoA appeared to be intoxicated and made inappropriate remarks, drawing sharp criticism. Notably, she commented on comedian Park Na-rae, who was not present during the livestream, saying things like, “I could never date her. Oppa’s too good for her,” which many viewed as rude and careless.

As backlash intensified, BoA issued a formal apology on April 7 via a fan platform, stating, “I apologized to Park Narae for my careless remarks made in her absence, and she graciously accepted.” On April 15, she opened up about personal struggles, revealing, “I’ve gone through tough times in recent years, but I couldn’t let go of music because it’s my whole life,” in a heartfelt message to fans.

Taeyeon also found herself embroiled in unexpected controversy. Her solo concerts in Tokyo, scheduled for April 19–20, were abruptly canceled just two days prior. SM cited logistical issues, saying the equipment used for the Asia tour had failed to arrive in time. However, fans expressed outrage over the lack of preparation and last-minute announcement. Some incurred financial losses from non-refundable flight and accommodation bookings. Her fandom, SONE, issued an official statement demanding compensation.

On April 18, Taeyeon posted on a fan platform, saying, “It felt like the entire concert disappeared in an instant,” and expressed deep sorrow, saying, “I’m so sorry, SONE.” While fans comforted her and emphasized that she too was a victim in the situation, they voiced disappointment in SM’s handling of the issue.

Given the series of incidents, many argue these aren’t just isolated missteps. Under Lee Soo-man’s leadership, he acted as the brand’s core, overseeing both artist management and public image control. With his exit, doubts are growing over whether a structured management system is still functioning effectively.

As a pioneering force in K-pop and a leader in expanding globally, SM once set industry standards. However, the recent spate of controversies seems to underscore deeper issues in leadership and internal operations under the “post-Lee Soo-man” era. Fans are now calling for real structural reform, saying, “It’s time the company operated through a solid system, not just apologies.”