Fans Suspect SM Entertainment Rejected A “Rolling Stone Korea” Interview With NCT’s Haechan After He Won It In A Poll

SM Entertainment is receiving criticism from fans after Rolling Stone Korea failed to interview NCT‘s Haechan, despite him having reportedly won the interview in a poll.

Earlier this year, Haechan won first place in a poll on the app, called IdolChamp, after fans voted him as ‘the idol with the best/most unique voice.’ Placing first supposedly won him a special interview with Rolling Stone Korea, which reportedly partnered with IdolChamp for the poll.

Yet, several months later, fans are raising questions after finding out that Haechan’s interview with the magazine never took place. Instead, a simple article was published about Haechan winning the poll, while the second-place winner was reportedly given a two-page interview.

Fans are particularly frustrated to see that the magazine mistakenly printed a picture of Jisung instead of Haechan on the spread. IdolChamp explained in a statement that this was due to an editing issue at Rolling Stone Korea, and a corrected version would be uploaded soon.

The uncropped picture mistakenly included in the article | *@NCTsmtown_DREAM/Twitter*

Yet, what concerns fans the most is the reason why the interview didn’t happen. According to the statement from IdolChamp, Rolling Stone Korea tried to coordinate with ‘the artist’ to schedule the interview but was ultimately unable to make it happen.

Rolling Stone Korea, which organized the vote, tried to conduct the interview by coordinating with the artist as much as possible, but the final consulation between Rolling Stone Korea and the artist failed. Then, Rolling Stone Korea published the special article instead of the interview article.

— IdolChamp

Seeing as Haechan is managed by SM Entertainment and all his activities have to be approved by the company, fans have taken this to mean that SM Entertainment did not approve Haechan’s interview with the magazine.

it’s actually unbelievable that sm turned down the rolling stone interview.. 🥲

— 22 (@dailyhaechan) July 13, 2022

no because the rolling stone interview literally proves that sm is either actively turning down activities that could benefit haechan and help him independently grow or aren’t managing schedules well enough to allow things to happen, i mean we all thought it but now we have proof

— baby duckie (@heyhaechan) July 13, 2022

This comes as a disappointment not only because Haechan undeniably deserves that interview…

i feel so bad like my heart hurts for haechan if someone deserves to talk about himself and the things he want to pursue its him he worked really hard not just for himself but for his units and this is what he gets from sm its a fucking interview just an interview gooodd

— َ (@fullvaIentine) July 13, 2022

this rolling stones interview is the literal result of the HIGH DEMAND for haechan's solo activities from the fans which sm is unable to provide themselves which is why people worked hard to give this article to haechan in the first place yet sm takes that away too???

— ⭐️ (@twinhck) July 13, 2022

…but because fans themselves put a lot of effort and spent a lot of money to make sure he won first place.

whats most unfair and why fans are so mad is because it wasnt sm who got him this it was all on the fans atp fans were the ones making opportunity and ways for haechan to have a solo activity for himself the least they can do is just do it properly the funding wal all on the fans

— Piayaya (@haechansoloace) July 13, 2022

Sfs worked so hard and paid so much to get that Rolling Stone interview for Haechan, a great solo opportunity for him just for SM to reject it ughh 6 years to his career he only got 2 solo activities, an ost and a magazine. I wonder how many solo opportunities that haechan+

— ‎Pammy🖤 (@princemingsun) July 13, 2022

For sfs’ awareness this was equivalent to ~17M KRW and a full-sized subway ad in the busiest junction of the busiest stations in Seoul for 1 full month typically costs less than half of that amount. https://t.co/UQO7u9WiyL pic.twitter.com/Xrxy4jRFPi

— SUNSPOT📍@STAR1 July Issue (@fs_sf_fs) July 13, 2022

IdolChamp apologized to the fans who had participated in the vote in their statement, yet fans still have mixed feelings about the missed interview.

Given that Haechan has such a busy schedule as a member of two NCT units, it could very well be that it was simply a scheduling issue. Yet, it is not clear whether Haechan himself knew about his win on the poll or not. In fact, fans are hoping to ask him about it!

I really need someone to ask haechan on fansign did he KNOW about this.

— HAECHAN GENIUS (@skyrockethc) July 13, 2022

At the end of the day, fans just want to see Haechan be recognized as his own individual artist, especially given how hard he works as a member of NCT.