Throughout the K-Pop industry, one thing that fans of different idols have in common with each other is their dislike of their idol’s entertainment company. While there have been many companies, one with a long history of upsetting fans with its actions is SM Entertainment.
| SM Entertainment
From the numerous legal battles the company has faced to accusations of overworking idols and poor management of schedules, fans of almost all groups, like Red Velvet, under SM Entertainment, have protested against the company on at least one occasion.
— DC 레드벨벳의레벨업 갤러리 (@red_velvet_gall) July 17, 2023
With NCT 127, the same can be said — the company recently came under fire for posting what appeared to be Taeil’s leg injury in a teaser photo for the group’s recent comeback.
Fans have often wondered if idols know the grievances against the company, and a joke made by NCT’s Johnny during a livestream hinted at exactly that!
NCT’s Johnny | Mnet
NCT 127 have been busy preparing for the start of their third world tour, Neo City: The Unity. Before heading to numerous countries, the group will begin the tour with six nights of performances in Seoul.
| SM Entertainment
During a break, the group decided to do a Weverse live stream, where there seems to have been some lagging due to slow internet reception. Johnny noticed that fans were blaming SM’s wifi, despite not being at SM, and made a hilarious comment about viewers disliking SM.
Johnny: I think they just don’t like SM.
Taeyong: Why?
Johnny: Anyone can see we are not at SM but they’re saying “no wonder, [it’s] SM’s wi-fi.”
개웃곀ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
그냥 에셈 자체를 다 안 좋아하는 거 같아 누가 봐도 우리 지금 에셈 아닌데 ‘역시 에스엠 와이파이’ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
믿고 거르는… 그거야? 와이파이가? pic.twitter.com/Afvaw5ggTS
— 플 (@loveyazw) November 15, 2023
Fans found Johnny’s “acknowledgment” of their dislike of SM hilarious.
johnny speaking on fuckass sm: pic.twitter.com/zb8Fz0Canl https://t.co/oiTDdyg6wY
— A (@jaeizms) November 15, 2023
when we normalize the “blame sm for everything” https://t.co/xfUEVZgRbP
— na ´∀｀ (@bbhyunly) November 16, 2023
he knows we be talkin shit https://t.co/5BnHVZT1CH
— kai (@pixiekazu) November 16, 2023
Some were shocked that he mentioned the company!