On the 28th (local time), an interview video with Han Geng was uploaded on the online channel 'PhoenixTV'. Han Geng revealed that he experienced stress and nightmares every day while active as a member of Super Junior at SM Entertainment, even having suicidal thoughts.
Han Geng mentioned that his family's financial situation was not good from a young age. Therefore, with the thought of making money by becoming famous, he signed a 13-year contract with SM Entertainment at the age of 19. At that time, his father regretted his own incompetence, saying, "I sold my child."
Arriving in Korea as a trainee, Han Geng practiced from morning till night every day. He said, "The trainee days were very difficult," often not even realizing he was injured.
Han Geng debuted as a member of Super Junior in 2005 and gained popularity. However, income distribution and other factors became stressors for him. He revealed that he did not receive a large amount of money during the first settlement. "I had to return some of the income to the company. Therefore, my income was less than when I was a trainee," he said. It is said that he received living expenses from SM Entertainment during his trainee days and paid it back after debuting.
Han Geng eventually decided to leave the company and suffered from severe depression, experiencing nightmares. He confessed that he once said to his father over the phone, "What if I make an 'extreme choice' someday?"
In 2009, Han Geng left Super Junior and SM Entertainment. He reminisced, saying it was "a very good decision" as he could return to his hometown and build an acting career. He expressed gratitude, saying that despite the difficult times, he was able to grow through his activities in Korea.
-Why blame the victims when it's the company that didn't pay?
-Han Geng also sued in 2009, shortly after JYJ. So, if Han Geng left after facing similar contract conditions as JYJ, it's likely that both Han Geng and JYJ had unfair contracts and poor treatment.
-It's a story from 15 years ago, why does it matter?
-Because of Han Geng, laws changed, and the standard 7-year contracts were altered.
-That guy was the real problem, for sure.
-Wait, the agency isn't a charity organization, and even in those days when there was no such system, they probably provided living expenses and accommodation for Han Geng, an overseas member. Until they turned a profit, it's natural that he didn't receive proper accounting. What kind of entertainer gets paid as soon as they debut? At that time, there were no concepts of copyright, and they only made money from albums and concerts. It's amazing how they thought they'd turn a profit so quickly. Of course, life must have been hard for him personally, and I don't want to deny that, but do people not realize that accounting isn't such an easy issue? Naturally, they would earn more now than back then, isn't that expected?
-It's an old issue about not getting paid, so why get mad about bringing it up?
-It's nonsense to criticize without knowing anything, just because you want to. Whether they talk about it at that time or not, should they not be able to say anything after several years have passed? Do they have to keep quiet and live? It's really nonsense.
-Han Geng words seem to be right back then... Brian also mentioned some things. During that time, there was a lot of suffering, and they couldn't earn much money. Everything changed before and after the trial with JYJ. It doesn't seem like baseless talk when they share their own experiences, but what's up with those who just want to criticize unconditionally?
-What's with the people who seem to idolize the company? Do they just want to blindly hate again?
-Things improved after JYJ left, didn't they?
-If Han Geng won the lawsuit, it means there were issues with SM, but what's up with the people here who keep criticizing Hankyung?
