Top K-Pop Idol Gains Attention For Paying Staff With His Own Money After Agency Goes Bust

SHINee‘s Taemin recently terminated his contract with Big Planet Made Entertainment, due to the company’s missteps. Not only have their failed to pay him and their staff for their services, the company also allegedly signed a third party contract without Taemin’s consent. Due to breaches of trust and contract, they have decided to part without legal conflict.

After the initial report, it has been confirmed to have personally covered some staff salaries in recent months. According to Sports Chosun, during the contract termination process, which involved various uncertainties, Taemin continued working with his existing staff and supported part of their wages out of his own pocket.

Within the industry, some interpret this as a response to instability surrounding staff working conditions amid ongoing settlement delay allegations linked to Big Planet Made Entertainment, suggesting Taemin stepped in directly to provide support. The decision is seen as an effort to keep his team intact, reflecting his sense of responsibility and loyalty toward staff members he has worked with for many years. Netizens have nothing but praise for the young star.

• Crazy. So cool of him.
• The company be crazy, he be amazing.
• Taemin suffered in such a crazy company…
• Seems like it’s true that they’ve not been paying people… Whenever something about it comes up, they’ve been saying it’s not true.

Taemin debuted in 2008 at age 14 as a member of SHINee and has spent 16 years performing globally as the group’s main dancer and one of K-pop’s leading male solo performers. After his contract with SM Entertainment ended in 2024, he moved to Big Planet Made Entertainment. With his recent departure, industry attention is now focused on whether he will join a new agency or pursue independent activities.