Girls' Generation has gotten themselves into a whole bunch of dating rumors this year however, this one gave them their biggest blow yet. Despite all the little 'ranters' guessing that Jessica or Yuri will be the next one in Girls' Generation to come out with dating news, it was actually Girls' Generation's leader, Taeyeon, who we all thought would, if she did end up to be dating, come out with it gracefully... as she is the leader, after all. But alas! She did not! And as we all probably should know by now, her relationship with EXO-K boy, Baekhyun, gave both groups a painful blow, fans feeling betrayed (as usual) but also the general public being sickened by the lovebirds' actions, similar to INFINITE's Myungsoo casual but painful use of Twitter to communicate with his then girlfriend. Regardless, both groups are popular however, Taeyeon's group has been around for nearly a decade when Baekhyun's has been for only around three years yet with both sides getting the hate, I want to decode the reasons why people are viewing this one differently than the other Girls' Generation dating scandals.

1. This scandal busted Taeyeon's act

Remember the post I did a few months ago about how I was scared for Taeyeon's well being? She seemed like she was about to crack at any moment! On all kinds of Girls' Generation appearances, Taeyeon did not seem like her usual idol self... which is seemingly nothing different than the rest of Girls' Generation's recent behaviors as they are now starting to realize that no matter what they do, they have a group of fans who will be with them (read the article about how idols should not treat fans like crap for some reference) therefore, different from back in their debut days, they now give bored, gloomy and tiredsome faces. However, Taeyeon's was different, as she constantly complained about loneliness, making people sympathize the fact that idols were not supposed to date. But, just like Sooyoung how literally the day before her own dating news came out, she complained about how she was lonely in response to YoonA's dating news, fans felt kind of betrayed that they were fooled into thinking that she did not have a significant other and that she was getting depressed because she did not have a significant other. I mean, I actually feel a bit betrayed, too, because I usually don't even show empathy but I did for Taeyeon's case and I'm not even a Taeyeon fan! 

2. Taeyeon acted immaturely being the fact that she is the senior & Baekhyun betrayed his already betrayed group

Despite the first one being my own sentiments, this one seems to be more of the general public's feels as they believe that Taeyeon should have acted more 'maturely' for her age being that she's ten years into the music business while he's barely even touching his second. She should have taken into account that EXO is just rising in popularity and that they are still in the midst of a scandal in which people were sympathizing Baehyun for. ¿¡Why would Baekhyun, during the midst of the Krisis (Kris vs. SM Entertainment scandal), even think about doing stuff that is remotely human?! Why would Baekhyun go out and do the naughty with Taeyeon when he should be remorseful in his dorm as the public is sympathizing him and his other ten group mates and should take advantage of the situation to get more popularity and fans (this one is actually a serious question)? And why the hell make it so. damn. obvious? Taeyeon should have acted different instead of making it so obvious, different from the other girls, being that she's the leader and should be the most responsible. Taeyeon should have realized that Baekhyun's group is in a situation right now that should not have scandals towards the remaining members of the group and realize that Baekhyun is a rising star. Baekhyun should have realized that the lie about being '35 years old before dating' really hurt gullible fans being that he was the first in EXO to have such a scandal. No one was really expecting him to wait till 35 but he was the first so it put a bigger blow.

3. They messed with their fans

Taking this all from Netizenbuzz, long story short, fans feel betrayed. Instagram, by Taeyeon's definition, was a way to communicate with fans. But instead, she fooled fans and communicated with Baekhyun in numerous posts as did Baekhyun. Fans dug out a lot of places where they communicated/made their relationship obvious (summarized from the same Netizenbuzz article. The astericked ones are ones that I'm somewhat iffy about correlating to dating):

a) Baekhyun and Taeyeon's similar Instagram IDs. 
Baekhyun had put on his Instagram, ExO, not EXO like the others. Why? E and O in English look like the first letters of the first syllables of Taeyeon's name ㅌ and ㅇ in Korean. Because he naughty, naughty.

"I like you. Can I like you?"

b) Taeyeon's ruthless post about liking Baekhyun/being in a relationship with him.
She put that fugly doll in the picture as a distraction/excuse. She's asking if she can like him because she realizes they're both celebrities and this going to the public can ruin them both.

c) The trip for my dreams, Pikachu!
Long story short, after Kris left the group, fans made the slogan 'This is the beginning' to give the guys strength. He put the picture on Instagram of the slogan as well as, as translated by the same Netizenbuzz article, 'This is the beginning! For my dream! The trip for my dreams! Pikachu! This is the beginning!'. Fans were gullible into thinking this was starting a new and the guys found strength but in actuality, before, Taeyeon wrote 'This is my beginning now for my dream~ The trip for my dreams pikachu'. aka they dun fucked

d) Baekhyun posted 'Euri'. 
Taeyeon later posted 'Very eurieurie shikye drink! Euri #Euri'. If you don't know, Euri doesn't mean shit in Korean but it must be an inside joke for the two.

You're eating sugary snacks?! You're betraying us!

e) Taeng kyung very mang ching*
Okay, I don't really understand this one that much/correlate it with the scandal. Taeyeon received a special made Starbucks cup from her fans. For saying thanks, she said 'Taeng kyung very mang ching'. Everyone is blowing shit up since Taenggo is her nickname for fans and Baekyung is his therefore, she must be making a couple name.

f) The famous oreos*
Taeyeon posted, a day before the news, oreos. Baek means black and Hyun means white in Korean. Oreos for Baekhyun, by fans point of view... or maybe Taeyeon was just hungry for oreos.

g) Birthday se--flowers
On Baekhyun's birthday, Taeyeon posted birthday flowers as well as a heart.

h) They went to see Seohyun's musical.
Suho saw Seohyun's musical the day before, but apparently being that Taeyeon was going, Suho went again the next day with Taeyeon in clutch.

i) Taeyeon posted a picture of light.*
Taeyeon posted a picture of light when she went to the beauty salon on Instagram. We all know Baekhyun's power in EXO is light. MUST BE A CODE FOR BAEK DICK.

j) Kyahing
Kyahing means nothing, just a cute thing for Taeyeon to say to fans. However, Baekhyun was seen using Kyahing when talking to his fans on EXO's 2 year anniversary.


Though there are other more subtle reasons (fans just mad cause they're dating), these seem to be the most prominent. People are getting testy with the Taeyon and Baekhyun kissing picture (apparently, Hyori mentioned that when pictures go out to the public and the company admits to the dating, that means there are pictures far worse than revealed to the public. This has to be one of the most 'sexual' images for a idol dater to reveal... a kissing image... therefore, if they are kissing in a car and if Hyori's claim is true, who knows what more they could have done in that hot and steamy Benz?), people are feeling betrayed just because they don't like idols dating... all in all, a bunch of negativity for the two, people were also getting mad because with all the dating controversy in Girls' Generation, they felt like Taeyeon was the last source of singleness that they had left (since apparently, they don't want Seohyun, Yuri, Sunny or Jessica). And although I would be happy and all for the two dating, there's something inside me that actually understands were the betrayed people are coming from (probably because I feel a bit betrayed, too).


Likewise, I just want to bring light on my old articles that I wrote when Tiffany's dating scandal was revealed, asking if Girls' Generation is on decline as well as my hypothesis for Girls' Generation's future and how long it would take for them to disband/who would still be famous post-disbandment. Now that this scandal broke out what do you think? Is Girls' Generation on decline and how long do they have left? Comment below and don't forget to vote!

Girls' Generation on Decline. How Long do They Have Left?
	2015
	2016
	2017
	2018
	2019
	2020 or even longer
	지금은 소녀시대! 앞으로도 소녀시대! 영원히 소녀시대!
	They're not on Decline! THEY'RE AT THEIR HEIGHHT!!!111

Probably the biggest thing going on in the K-pop scene recently: EXO's Kris is suing SM. EXO's Chinese group's very own leader, Kris, has filed a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court to terminate his contract with SM Entertainment. This news hit everyone, including myself without notice and up till now, many fans are still in denial of what happened. News on the lawsuit first broke out on China's Sina around 9am on 15th May and speculations were made, with most blaming it onto Sina for confusing Kris with a China artiste Chris. 

However, later in the afternoon, Korean news sites TV Daily soon chimed in with a response from SM, confirming that Kris had indeed legally filed for contract release. Other news sites such as Korea Herald, Nate, TV Report, and Daum followed suit with similar announcements. Details as to when the lawsuit was first filed, what the lawsuit demands are, and Kris’s reasons behind it, however remained unknown to public. Hankyul Law Firm has released a statement that affirms their representation of Kris. Fun fact, Hankyul Law Firm is the exact same law firm that handled Hangeng's lawsuit.

SM seems to be caught off guard as reps responded to be unaware of the lawsuit and are surprised to find out about it.  The exact reasons behind the filing of the lawsuit is still unknown (there has been claims of Kris having 'myocarditis' when he eats the food that SM Entertainment gives, which, for people uneducated in medical terminology, this basically means inflammation of the heart muscles) , however fans and various news websites are speculating that this is about SM's slave contract again. Kris, has had financial difficulties despite his tremendous workload because SM Entertainment exploited him financially, according to sources close to him on Thursday.

“SM (Entertainment) controlled him like a pawn or a control-target rather than offering him opportunities as a celebrity,”

 an undisclosed source supposedly close to Kris told Yonhap News.



Additionally, there have been reports of the EXO members being revoked their phone privileges with images such as the one on the right (rumors going around that this woman is associated with EXO and has taken away all of their phones) as well as speculations of their posts on their social networking site (some claiming to have some of the members update during times which would be unrealistic for updating for example during music shows). Some rumors go as far as saying one member, Baekhyun, had his phone being taken away and was slapped for resisting then other member D.O. stepping in and trying to intervene however, being slapped as well which seem a bit far-fetched and made simply to spark even more anti-SM sentiments. Regardless, there has been more anxiety in the EXO fandom that these speculations regarding the boys not having full control over their social networking sites seemingly true to an extent, EXO's Tao posting on Weibo this:

I am EXO member Tao. The things said on Weibo and Instagram are by me. I have nothing to hide.

then going along and saying later that his phone was not taken up when EXO fans have said that Tao in fact possesses an iPhone however, the post was made by an Android phone.
Situations remain unclear on social network but what we know is that all of EXO members with Instagram accounts have all unfollowed Kris, and Tao's posts are not exactly very optimistic for many fans who wish for the eventual reunion of the 12 members. EXO's Sehun has also posted a giant question mark and fans seem to think that EXO were not kept in the loop about the lawsuit. Likewise, Sehun, as translated here during EXO's award speech for winning with Overdose on M! Countdown showed his pain as well as the others' pain and confusion

"Thank you for this big award. Thank you to all of those who love us. It's the day of the mentor today so I'd like to thank Lee Soo Man. We won't forget your kindness. The EXO members genuinely apologize. Our team slogan is 'we are one' and so like our slogan, we promise to become an EXO that belongs not to the individual but to ourselves and one that thinks of our fans. We will work hard. We are one. EXO, I love you."

And also talked to Osen saying:

 "All the members had a conversation. We don't understand Kris' actions at all. Everyone was caught off-guard and have mixed feelings. I think Kris' actions are irresponsible and show that he's not thinking about EXO at all. Our members and agency have no issues. What Kris needs to do right now is take back the lawsuit and apologize to the members and company."

Even more speculation goes with their words wondering if SM Entertainment is forcing them to say this or not. It can also be noted that EXO's Kai collapsed on stage recently when performing Overdose, adding on to the SM hate.




SM Entertainment has responded to questions about the upcoming concert from May 23rd to 25th and it is set to happen as planned. Tao also confirmed this via his Instagram account, and it seems like Kris will not be joining the rest of EXO for this concert. According to a representative from MBN star, Kris was supposed to arrive at Gimpo Airport today but he cancelled his flight ticket and continue to stay in Beijing, China.
Earlier this week, Kris also posted on his Weibo a picture of his handwritten message which roughly translates to

"I made a rash attempt to do what is far beyond my ability. I'm alright, I wish you all the best, and that things will be even better for you guys. Thanks to all of those who support me, thanks for all your voices of support. Wu Yi Fan will always be here!"

As a fervent EXO fan myself, I'm still in absolute shock and I'm surprised to see yet another lawsuit supposedly coming out of the reason of unfair contracts and mistreatment. Hasn't SM Entertainment learnt anything from the past times their idols tried to sue them? This is an upsetting event for every single fan in the EXO fandom and especially for the boys themselves. Nevertheless, I wish all the boys good luck for whatever is to happen in the near future. And to Suho, I just want to say the entire fandom is massively proud of you for keeping it all together on M! Countdown 140515. 

A gentle remainder to all: please be cautious and thoughtful of what you post on the members' Instagrams and online, for the sake of Kris and the other members. Please also take whatever you read online, may it be the posts on EXO's Instagrams or Weibo, including this post with a pinch of salt. Nothing other than the fact that he is indeed filing a lawsuit is officially confirmed by SM Entertainment or Kris himself, this is more like a run-down of what is happening. There is nothing confirmed and honestly, the only people who know what is really going on are Kris and SM Entertainment. This is a difficult time, please act responsibly.

And now to you, what are your thoughts and opinions on this lawsuit? Why did he resort to this move despite the upcoming concert and recent comeback? What is going to happen to EXO after this? Leave your comment down below!

Also, vote here to who you think is at fault!

Who's at Fault In the Kris v. SM Lawsuit?
	SM Entertainment
	Kris, himself
	EXO (bullying, etc.)
	Both SM and Kris
	Both EXO and Kris
	Both SM and EXO
	All of them
	None of them

(Herald 1,2), Sina, TV Report, TV Daily, Nate, Daum)