NBA All Star Celebrity Game includes some big names

   
 Hows this for a unique twist to the NBA All Star Game festivities? The NBA announced today that the All Star Celebrity Game will "Canada vs US," with some big names attracting fans from many places.
       One that stands out from the other well known celebrities is Kris Wu. "Who is he? Wu Yi Fan?" many people have wondered.
       Born in Guangzhou, China, Kris Wu Yi Fan became a Canadian citizen when his family immigrated to Vancouver. He has since rose to stardom after debuting under one of Korea's entertainment giants, SM Entertainment, in the boy group 'EXO.'
   
       For those who have been following the Asian entertainment industry, they have heard his name for a few years now. His name has appeared in many stories in Asia, especially after his abrupt lawsuit with SME over the termination of his contract.
       Even though still in the lawsuit, Wu has been heavily promoted in China, staring in multiple movies and variety shows. He was recently awarded as the Most Influential Male in Asia in 2015.
       His athleticism and basketball skills have been also heavily promoted throughout his career, making the news of his attendance at the All Star Game festivities not a surprising one.
       This will be Wu's first official appearance in Canada, and many fans are sure to be anticipating his arrival.

KPOP: SM Entertainment's Male group, EXO Falling Apart?

       When they debuted in January of 2012, EXO looked like the next big music group for Kpop. Showing off their vocals, rap technique, and dance, the group quickly rose in popularity, both in China (EXO-M) and Korea (EXO-K).

       The popularity quickly resulted in multiple award wins, including the 2013 MAMA Award for Album of the Year, un-seating fellow label-group Super Junior (who had won in 2011 & 2012). They were the next generation for SM Entertainment.

       But it is beginning to fall apart. It began in May, where EXO-M leader, Kris Wu filed a lawsuit towards SM Entertainment(SME) to terminate his contract. He criticized SME to not treating their artists fairly, reporting that the company had not allowed him to visit his family in Vancouver, Canada. It was not the first time SME received a lawsuit from an artist, Han Geng of Super Junior being the first. Kris has currently continued his career in China, acting and rumoured to be releasing an album in the near future.
       Super Junior was able to continue with the lose of one member, so it appeared EXO would be fine too. But as we are finding out now, a second member of EXO-M is filing a lawsuit against SME as well.
       On October 9, 2014 (KOR time), Luhan filed his lawsuit to nullify his contract with the company. There have been much speculation about this, but there were no hard evidence. Many had believed Luhan was on sick leave, recovering from intense fatigue. But that does not seem to be the case now, with reports that the relationship between the two sides have gone bad. Luhan had set a deadline to resolve this conflict, but it seems it has past, judging by the issuing of the lawsuit.
     

EXO, once started out as a 12 member group, is now, possibly down to 10 (6 in EXO-K, 4 in EXO-M). This leads to the question, "Can EXO still continue their success with the absence of two members?" Super Junior lost one member due to lawsuit and have continued to produce popular music. EXO members have been quiet these few weeks, possibly unsure themselves as to what will happen to them. They were shocked when Kris left, and this time with Luhan leaving, it could be a big blow. Can they come back and dominate the Kpop industry in the future?
       Aside from EXO, SM Entertainment have been through a tough year, losing artist after artist. Last week, popular member, Jessica was reportedly kicked out of Girl's Generation, causing SM's stocks to drop drastically. After Luhan's news was announced to the public, the stocks plummeted. It seems SME will continue to fall in stocks until they are able to resolve the drama within their company. It will need time before SM can come out and release what is happening within their organization.
     
     

Is SM Entertainment Losing its Hold on it's Idols?

       News has recently emerged that Jessica Jung, a member of the Kpop Idol group Girls Generation(SNSD), has been dropped by the agency, halting any plans she had with SNSD. This comes approximately 6 months after Kris Wu of EXO filed for a lawsuit, terminating his contract with SM, while F(x) member Sulli has left SM as well.

       Is there something going on within SM Entertainment that is forcing artists out? Both of this years issues have been linked to disputes between the artists' future and the plans of the agency. Jessica has recently begun her fashion line, and it seems that it is clashing with the plans SM has planned for her.
       Jessica's issue is not as severe as Kris', with SM Entertainment confirming that she will still be managed by the agency, the only change is that she will not be participating with SNSD in any of their promotional events or future albums as of now.
       But it seems that there is a misunderstanding between Jessica and SM. SM is stating that "This coming spring, due to her personal situation, she has notified us she will halt her team promotions with the release of one (more) album (source: allkpop)." But Jessica stated on Weibo differently.

      Jessica's post on her Weibo account states "I was excited about our upcoming fan events only to shockingly be informed by my company and 8 others that as of today, I'm no longer a member. I'm devastated....I am being forced out."
       Fans from all over the world show their outrage about the news, Jessica being one of the bigger names of Girls Generation, many just hoping that this is just a misunderstanding between the two sides. Many, like with Kris and EXO, are stating that Girls Generation needs to be a 9 member group, incomplete if one is absent.
      Jessica has been noted to be seeing an attorney, maybe just for advice, but it could also mean a lawsuit could be waiting in the shadows.
   
OCTOBER 5, 2014 UPDATE

       Over the last month, SM has noted the another member of EXO will be absent from promotions and shows. That member is Luhan, who is currently recovering from different symptoms, many saying related to extended fatigue. Information is swirling through the Internet, hinting that SM Entertainment and Luhan are headed to a crossroad. Luhan's declining health and SM's pressure for his return may just be the conflict between the groups.
       2014 has not been a good year for SM Entertainment and its' fans. But 2014 goes on, and we shall wait and see what it has in store for one of Korea's top entertainment corporations.
 

OCTOBER 7, 2014 UPDATE
       Luhan has filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment, seeking to nullify his contract with the company. It seems to be more than just absence due to illness that was keeping Luhan out of the SM Town World Concerts. Sources report that their have been conflicts between Luhan and SM Ent these past weeks. Luhan gave SM a deadline to resolve these differences, but it seems that the deadline has past. Luhan is apparently going in the same direction as former EXO-M leader Kris, with the same actions and law firm. With the possible exit of another member, could this be the end for EXO-M?