“Limited Lineup: Why Xiumin Couldn’t Make the Cut for Music Bank” on 4th
KBS has officially addressed a viewer petition concerning EXO member Xiumin’s canceled appearance on KBS 2TV’s Music Bank. The petition, titled “Request for a Transparent and Fair Explanation Regarding Xiumin’s Music Bank Appearance Cancellation,” was submitted on March 9 and garnered over 1,000 signatures within the required 30-day period, prompting KBS to issue a formal response.
Viewer Concerns Over Transparency
The petitioner expressed dissatisfaction with KBS’s initial response, which labeled the cancellation as “groundless.” They questioned why Xiumin’s agency, OneHundred Entertainment, claimed that the cancellation was due to overlapping appearances with artists from SM Entertainment. The petitioner requested clarity on whether KBS had indeed provided an unofficial explanation and urged the network to offer a more transparent account of the situation.
KBS’s Official Response
On April 4, KBS replied via its Viewer Petition Center, stating:
“Regarding singer Xiumin’s appearance, the production team discussed the matter with his representatives ahead of the broadcast. However, there were differences in expectations and direction during the negotiation process.”
KBS emphasized that Music Bank is open to all artists and agencies. The lineup is determined based on communication with artists, stage composition, program flow, and other factors. Due to limited programming time and production constraints, not all appearance requests can be accommodated. They concluded by acknowledging fans’ disappointment:
“We empathize with the fans who were looking forward to Xiumin’s performance and will strive to ensure more artists can connect with their fans through Music Bank in the future.”
Background on the Controversy
The issue gained traction when OneHundred Entertainment released a statement on March 4 alleging that KBS had unofficially informed them that Xiumin could not appear alongside SM Entertainment artists on Music Bank. The agency criticized this decision as unreasonable and claimed their attempts to resolve the matter were ignored. This sparked widespread speculation among fans and netizens.
Compounding tensions, other OneHundred-affiliated celebrities such as Lee Mujin and Lee Soo-geun suspended their participation in KBS programs during this period. On March 7, Han Kyung-cheon, head of KBS’s entertainment division, addressed the controversy during a press event, attributing it to communication issues between production teams and agencies.
Impact on Xiumin’s Promotions
Xiumin was preparing to release his second mini-album Interview X on March 10 after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus. The cancellation of his Music Bank appearance disrupted his comeback promotions, leading fans to demand accountability from both KBS and OneHundred Entertainment.
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