Serious Dissatisfaction: Why Cassiopeians Dislike SM the Most

In the heirarchical structure of K-pop fandoms, there is one particular group that stands out in their intense disapproval of SM Entertainment: the Cassiopeians. Here, we explore the reasons behind this fierce dislike and the historical context that has cemented Cassiopeians as the most vocal in criticizing SM.

The Fandom Split: Cassiopeians vs. SM

Originally, the Cassiopeians were a devoted fandom that supported the entire SHINee team, including its original five members: Onew, Minho, Taemin, Chen, and Jonghyun. The Cassiopeians were known for their unwavering loyalty and strong support for their idol group. However, this loyalty was tested in 2009 after three of the five members, Onew, Minho, and Jonghyun, decided to leave SM Entertainment to form a new group called JYJ—a move that divided the fandom into distinct factions.

Three Divided Loyalities

With the departure of three members, the once cohesive Cassiopeians were split into three distinct camps:

The Fans of JYJ: This group comprised the members who supported the three new JYJ members and appreciated their fresh, solo career opportunities. The Fans of SM: Those who aligned with SM Entertainment and believed that the three members had acted irresponsibly or treacherously towards their agency. The Neutral Fans: Individual members who found themselves in the middle, not agreeing solely with the JYJ faction or the SM faction but rather appreciating all five members of SHINee equally.

The Legal Battle and SM's Alleged Misconduct

The departure and reshaping of the SHINee group emboldened an intense rivalry between the factions and ultimately led to a public legal battle. SM Entertainment, feeling threatened by what they perceived as the potential dilution of their trust, took legal action against the other two groups, including the Cassiopeians.

This lawsuit, which served as a catalyst for the heated rivalry, culminated in a significant victory for JYJ. The legal ruling was a landmark win for the JYJ members, validating their decision to leave and pursue their dreams on their own terms. However, this win was not enough to alleviate the tensions between the factions. Many Cassiopeians, along with some JYJ fans, felt betrayed by the aggressive stance taken by SM Entertainment, which they deemed excessively punitive and designed to hamstring the members of JYJ.

Current Status and Improvement in Relations

The situation between SM Entertainment and its former fans progressively worsened. Any attempts at reconciliation were met with staunch resistance from the Cassiopeians and other loyal fans. Despite this, there have been some promising signs of healing:

Jaesang (JJ) Expanding His Reach: JJ, one of the three ex-members of JYJ, has made significant strides in popularizing K-pop internationally. His humblebo and solo projects have been well-received, which has led to a certain degree of easing in tensions. Junsu's Awards Ceremony: Junsu, a member of SHINee, has recently gained positive recognition for his leadership in Korean musical theater. His ability to step up and be recognized on live TV is seen as a sign of respect and newfound appreciation from both the Cassiopeians and the public at large.

Conclusion

The Cassiopeians stand as a testament to the intense emotions and long-lasting impact of idol group dynamics and the legal battles they often entail. While relations have improved to some extent, the mistrust and animosity between the Cassiopeians and SM Entertainment remain a central topic of debate within the K-pop community. As time progresses, it will be interesting to observe if these relationships continue to heal and evolve.