By NATASHA IMAN

alltherage@thestar.com.my

WITH a surge of music video releases and comebacks from artistes that have been on hiatus, the K-pop industry is currently packed with artistes waiting to wow their fans once again. On the other hand, breaking news of scandals and legal cases have also been flooding in as we head into the summer months on the K-pop scene.

SM Entertainment and JYJ
After months of legal battles, Korean boy band JYJ – formed by three former members of SM Entertainment’s boy band TVXQ – has finally won the right to freely continue their promotional activities. Their former agency has been issued a sanction, prohibiting them from interfering with JYJ’s activities.

In 2009, three of the five members of Dong Bang Shin Ki (TVXQ) filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment on the grounds that their 13-year contract was too long, with income distribution being biased in favour of the agency.

The lawsuit quickly led to the splitting of TVXQ, leaving the three members to form what is now JYJ. SM Entertainment however, were quick to restrict the activities of the newly formed group, issuing formal requests to major broadcast stations, online music sites and album retailers asking them to prohibit the promotions and sales of JYJ albums.

The legal disputes finally came to an end late last year after both sides signed an agreement to drop all lawsuits against each other, and to stop interfering with either party’s promotional activities.

The newly-issued sanction, however, has reopened the case. SM Entertainment released an official statement saying they have never interfered with the activities of JYJ and are looking for a legal response to the sanction.

There’s no telling when this conflict will finally end, but as of now, fans of JYJ can sit back and look out for what’s in store for the group with their new-found freedom.

Ailee’s back
Having only debuted as a solo artiste early last year, Ailee has been in the spotlight with her mesmerising vocal performances. It was no surprise, then, when she nabbed her first number one spot on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100’s this week.

Ailee’s latest single U&I was released on July 12 as part of her second mini album A’s Doll House.

Within a day of the album’s physical release, nearly all stores throughout Korea were sold-out, once again proving her popularity amongst K-pop fans.

U&I also earned Ailee her first ever “all-kill” on the music charts, reaching the top of all the major online music sites within four hours of release.

The new album features a mix of funk, pop and R&B, using powerful brass sounds to highlight her unique vocals. Producer Shinsadong Tiger, noted for his work with Beast, 4minute and also T-ara, was at the helm, raising the bar for Ailee as she competes with a rush of artistes making their comebacks around the same time.

With an album ranking high on the music charts coupled with flawless performances on the weekly music shows, Ailee is truly on her way to the top of the K-pop scene.

Mixed reaction
Joining in the surge of comebacks this month is none other than SM Entertainment girl group f(x).

After almost a year on hiatus, the group has returned with a new track, Rum Pum Pum Pum. The pop-dance track compares first love to a wisdom tooth, as it pushes aside other teeth when the time is right.

While most fans were anticipating a different concept after the release of their comeback images showing the girls in vintage sepia and black and white, fans were yet again treated to their signature bright colours, leading many to wonder whether SM Entertainment had missed the mark with the comeback this time round.

Music video aside, the title track does stand out with creative vocal harmonies and an under stream of guitar riffs reminiscent of their debut back in 2009 with La Cha Ta.

But the music video, however, fell short of expectations. Still, the powerful comeback track could be all f(x) need to push them back to the top of the charts and right in the spotlight once again.