anonymous
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Lee Seunggi's reputation was really tainted by his association with his wife's criminal family, he went to them because he needed a shelter quick. He's a bit stupid too for being scammed by his previous company for so long, so he's a perfect mark for the likes of MC Mong.
We'll have to see in 5 years how many of their big names stay. It is hard to breakthrough and actually be one of the biggest agencies like HYBE did. Money is important, but luck's also essential. CJes came in guns blazing taking JYJ and, although they still have big name actors, they've settled into a midtier existence after all the initial hype.
/+r/90f76508a7
their business model is both their strength and their weakness when you think about it isn't it
profiting off already existing brands allows for a guaranteed source of revenue, but the mere fact that they can profit from said brands is due to them dwindling... you rarely see groups reach their peak at the time they're due for a contract renewal
gfriend was way past their peak when they unfairly got disbanded, lee seunggi was in hot waters as you were mentioning, the exo brand they managed to taint themselves (100 and the members themselves) in the process LOL
some of the soloists (baekhyun, taemin, lee mujin?) can offer them stability re:sales which is good for them as a company fund wise (tho they don't seem to need those) but again i dont see them growing significantly - and apart from singular hits (viviz maniac, lee mujin also had traffic light and I know his cb did quite well on melon this year as well) the only constants they're known for are their horrid communication and shady methods. and thing about the big 3/4 is they're not only big groups machineswho got lucky at some point, there's also a matter of image and reputation so that doesn't rly give them a good start.