SM Entertainment Sparks Backlash For Plans To Remake SHINee Jonghyun’s Song
SM Entertainment is receiving backlash from netizens regarding their decisions for SMTOWN Live 2025 in Seoul. The official SMTOWN account revealed three posters containing the Remake Stage artist line-up that will be present at the show and will also earn a spot on a commemorative album for SM’s 30th anniversary.
The teaser images show the artists at the top who will remake a song by the artists on the bottom. The exact match of artists is blocked off by stickers, indicating it will be a surprise or revealed at a later date.
However, many netizens had an issue with the decision to include SHINee‘s Jonghyun as one of the artists whose song will be remade.
SHAWOLs and many other netizens were not in favor of the idea as they believe SM Entertainment does not go to the proper lengths to honor his legacy or make his music readily available for fans. In this way, a remake feels disingenuous.
Now im pissed off you wouldnt give jonghyun the time of day in his career in shinee’s career you intentionally withhold content, and never aknowledge him except for 2 days out of the 365 but now you wanna have people covering his songs for your anniversary performance
— the gigashawol™ (@kibumiist) January 7, 2025
So sm is going to remake a whole jonghyun song and release it officially on an album celebrating a company that won't reprint his albums, won't acknowledge him more than twice a year, and won't release his concerts but now that they can make money off of him they remember his art
— dija (@meowqxng) January 8, 2025
In particular, the idea of a remake didn’t sit well as fans are upset with SM Entertainment for not reprinting his music to make it readily available for fans nor mentioning his music/art outside of a commemorative post.
I wouldn't care if they performed a cover during the concert by why would you remake a jonghyun song who asked for this
— 자몽 (@selenekjh) January 7, 2025
i’m so pissed off. sm acknowledges jonghyun’s existence only twice a year and his albums are unavailable to buy but now suddenly someone will remake, not even cover, but REMAKE his song????? https://t.co/F4FRShStaL
— afra (@nightkbm) January 7, 2025
You know what frustrated shawols and blingers the most? The fact that we've been starving for ANYTHING related to him for years and this company never gave a fck, even trying to erase him from the group like he have never been a extremely significant part of SHINee https://t.co/86QrkpSmQl
— vic (@seokjjong) January 7, 2025
Though the decision for SM Entertainment to use his song as a cover for the anniversary performance was not as criticized, it still didn’t sit well with many: Many believed the artist in question who would cover his song should hold significance to Jonghyun in some capacity, while others thought that a cover was not crossing the line.
sm barely acknowledges him and now want to use his hard work for their anniversary performance ????? https://t.co/xmNrLctND4
— joey is seeing ateez (@haotec) January 7, 2025
there are not many people in this lineup i want covering a jonghyun song to be so fr with you https://t.co/3codS3ViCW
— nico✡️🍉 (@taemology) January 7, 2025
Covers are cool but a remake… When the artist cant consent… Was it necessary https://t.co/qNLUxnRnlQ
— NiNa (@alieNina8) January 7, 2025
SM Entertainment has yet to respond to the discourse.
