Freddie- That just reminded me of how you spell the word “folks” like f-o-l-x on Twitter and I’m honestly just… so mad all over again.
Jooney- Um, the news —
Freddie- Like, I can’t believe I’ve been your friend since sixth grade even though you type f-o-l-x instead of f-o-l-k-s on a regular basis.
Maisie- Oh! That’s right, you been friends a long time now! At least Jooney’s got good taste in friends. Clothes, not so much. See what he’s wearing? Ratty shirt. Ugly palm tree on front. Cost $90!
Freddie- You had ninety bucks to spend on that t-shirt but you're still a lousy tipper?
Jooney- Uhhhhhh anyway, I think everyone knows that 12:12 is a pretty successful boy group; they debuted in late 2018 and were quickly hyped as ‘monster rookies’ due to their instant popularity.
Maisie- Why’s this boy leaving, then? Everybody leaving these days.
Freddie- Oh, the scandal! That's why.
Jooney- No mention of the, err, incriminating text messages reported last month. The press release from BlueSky came with the usual vague statements about deciding to part ways with mutual respect and all that. So, nothing juicy there, sorry.
(Disappointed noises from Freddie and Maisie)
Jooney- You know, some groups have lost multiple members since debut and I honestly always wonder how everyone copes with that. When these groups become so close to each other, practically like family, and they lose someone? That's gotta hurt.
Freddie- But what about the ones who leave? We hardly ever hear about them once they bow out of the industry or try to set out on their own, establish a solo career. Granted, there are exceptions. Some have done really well for themselves even after leaving.
Maisie- Sure, sure. That boy with the big muscles, seems happy now, lost a lot of money though. Oh, plus the boys who had that big lawsuit. And those girls from Jewell, old-time group. Made their own agency and now they're big bosses.
Jooney- Ah, you mean Haewon and Soyeon, the ones who founded Emerald Entertainment? Only Soyeon left Jewell back then, though. Right?
Freddie- You're both wrong. Soyeon was thinking of leaving Jewell, but she changed her mind and stayed. Jewell made it to their tenth anniversary before disbanding.
Jooney- Man, how'd I forget that? I must've mixed them up with that other 90s group, Hera. In any case, I do agree with Ma, feels like everyone's leaving their groups left and right over the past few months.
Maisie- Mm-hmm. Before, too hard to quit. Costs too much. Pay more than Jooney’s ratty t-shirt.
Jooney- (clearing throat) Err, that's a very good point. Not the part about my shirt! The part about how hard it was to break an idol contract, back in the day.
Freddie- It was so hard. Agencies had all the power. And if you ask me, they still have too much power. Quitting is not a decision anybody is making lightly, you know?
Jooney- Oh boy, this is one of Freddie's pet subjects. Buckle up.
Freddie- Look, this is just the kind of nerdy shit — ooh, sorry Auntie Maisie, don't kill me — nerdystuffthat you get into when your parents hadLaw & Orderon loop throughout your whole childhood. (squeals) Help, she's going to forcibly wash my mouth out with soap…
Maisie- Not me. Calling your dad, he can do it.
Jooney- Wait, wait. Let her explain first, she has valuable knowledge.
Freddie- But you'll feed me to the wolves right after? Get stuffed in a locker, Chun.
Maisie- Your daddy not answering, keep talking ‘til he picks up.
Freddie- (nervous laughter)
Jooney- You mentioned agencies having a lot of power.
Freddie- It's a lot to go through, probably deserves its own episode, but mainly agencies could make it a financial nightmare for idols to break contract.
Jooney- Right. It was stay or go broke, pretty much.
Freddie- Plus, before the legal reforms, agencies were free to include all kinds of restrictions in their contracts, many of which are thankfully very rare now. Like banning dating outright, controlling what artists ate, or penalties like forced disbandments. Agencies could require that idols work insane schedules. A contract could even last for over ten years. That phrase about signing your life away is very appropriate here.
