An anonymous insider revealed that on the February 28, SM representatives, including Lee Sung-soo, visited KBS to meet with Hwang Kyung-cheon, the head of the entertainment division. Initially, SM had downplayed Lee’s visit, saying he had no reason to go, but later explained that it was to support the debut of the new SM’s girl group Hearts2Hearts.
The timing of the visit, following complaints from Xiumin’s agency INB100 about his appearance restrictions, has raised suspicions. SM denied the claim that their representatives went to the sixth floor, stating they only greeted Hearts2Hearts in the waiting room of “Music Bank.”
In a conversation with the Culture Daily, Hwang Kyung-cheon, head of KBS Entertainment, responded, saying, “This is untrue. In the morning, I was receiving medical treatment at the hospital for post-surgery stitch removal, and I had lunch with a former colleague. In the afternoon, I was filming with the cast of ‘2 Days & 1 Night.’ You will be able to confirm this on next week’s broadcast. I know the name Lee Sung-soo, but I have never met him. I don’t know where this information is coming from, but out of the 20-odd programs in our entertainment division, I wouldn’t have time to focus on ‘Music Bank,’ which is one of the lowest-rated K-pop programs.”
Although broadcasters have the discretion to decide guest appearances, the accusation that SM’s influence played a role is stirring debate. SM has a history of blocking appearances, notably with JYJ, which led to the “JYJ Act” being passed in 2015 to prevent such practices. The same controversy is now resurfacing with Xiumin, who left SM but is still facing restrictions.
SM initially promised an official statement by March 6, but as of March 7, they have remained silent.
Additionally, Xiumin is also facing difficulties in appearing on music programs, following his absence from KBS, and it has been confirmed that he is unlikely to appear on other major music programs as well.
According to Star News’ investigation on March 7, Xiumin is expected to not appear on SBS’s music program “Inkigayo” and Mnet’s “M Countdown” next week. Amid the ongoing conflict with KBS’s entertainment division regarding his appearance on “Music Bank,” his participation in music programs on other networks remains uncertain.
Xiumin’s inability to appear on MBC, Mnet, and KBS in the second week of March has puzzled many, especially since Hearts2Hearts is scheduled to perform. Industry insiders question the motivations behind the coordinated stance taken by the broadcasters.
On March 14, Xiumin is unlikely to appear on “Music Bank”, as KBS has not confirmed his participation. The situation stems from a dispute between KBS and One Hundred, the parent company of Xiumin’s label INB100. Previously, One Hundred claimed that KBS had deliberately blocked Xiumin’s appearance, leading to a temporary boycott in which affiliated artists, including Lee Mu-jin, Lee Su-geun, and THE BOYZ, were pulled from KBS programs. Although the boycott was later lifted, One Hundred stated they were still awaiting an official explanation from KBS. However, even as the broadcast date approached, no response was provided, strongly suggesting that Xiumin’s appearance has been canceled.
In addition to “Music Bank,” Xiumin will also not be performing on Mnet’s “M Countdown” on March 13. His appearance on MBC’s “Show! Music Core” seems unlikely as well, as he has a fan meeting scheduled at Yonsei University at the same time as the live broadcast. However, sources indicate that his team remains open to an early morning pre-recording if the show confirms his participation.
Meanwhile, Xiumin is also expected to miss SBS’s “Inkigayo” due to an ongoing conflict between One Hundred and SBS regarding artist appearances. Given these circumstances, his opportunities to promote on major music shows remain uncertain. As the dispute between One Hundred and broadcasting networks continues, fans are left wondering whether Xiumin will be able to resume his music show promotions in the near future.