In an emotional conversation, the famous artist Dara shared revealing insights about the relationship between artists from the entertainment giants SM and YG in the past. In a special appearance on Kim Jae Joong’s YouTube channel, ‘Jaefriends,’ on October 12, viewers got a glimpse into why closeness between these two entertainment powerhouses remained elusive.
Different Territories
Kim Jae Joong kicked off the conversation by recounting how they became friends, revealing that “People are super curious about how we came to be friends. We came to know each other through (the movie), but other than that, YG and SM didn’t really cross paths.” Dara added candidly, “We couldn’t say we were friends. And if we ever passed each other, we were careful of whether we should say hi.”
Perpetual Competition
Territory was clearly demarcated, and rivalry was palpable. “Everyone was territorial,” emphasized Kim Jae Joong, “Like ‘We’re YG’ and ‘We’re SM.’ Honestly, there are many interesting stories that can’t even be shared on YouTube.” Dara added nuance to this rivalry, saying, “I’m close with many SM artists now.” However, she also revealed that in the past, they couldn’t get too close due to fierce competition for the top spot. Reflecting on those days, she added, “Back then, we didn’t hate each other, but we couldn’t like each other either, because Girls’ Generation would always be our opponent.”
Envy of Their Respective Environments
The conversation also delved into the strengths and weaknesses of their respective entertainment agencies. Kim Jae Joong expressed envy for YG, saying, “We were always envious of YG. We also wanted to do music like YG.” Dara, on the other hand, shared a similar sentiment, noting, “We were envious of SM too,” and explained, “With Super Junior, I was close with Donghae, and he’d say ‘We make too many comebacks,’ but we would reply ‘We wish we had that many comebacks.’ The agencies worked in different ways.”
Pressure from Comparison
Dara also mentioned a time when they felt pressured by being compared to SM. She reminisced, “We won so many awards at the time, so we couldn’t even shed tears. We also got scolded then. ‘Why don’t you cry like those SM artists?’ We were scolded for not crying (after receiving the awards).” However, she added with a smile, “But we’d cry after coming down from the stage.”
Dara‘s revelation about the relationship between SM and YG artists in the past offers a unique perspective on an era of South Korean music that has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Despite rivalries and differences, these artists have continued to grow and evolve in their respective careers, and their friendship is a testament to the fact that music can unite even those who once considered themselves rivals.
Here’s the video for you to watch the episode.
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