Girls' Generation Vow to Clean up Showbiz

The manufactured band Girls' Generation, management agency SM Entertainment and Grand National Party lawmaker Cho Moon-hwan on Monday launched a campaign to clean up showbusiness in Korea, which remains mired in sleaze.

They launched the campaign at a press event in the National Assembly. Their aim is to shed light on what they say are virtual slave contracts many performers sign with their management agencies, which can involve women being practically pressed into prostitution and teenagers signing away their rights for a chance at the big time.

Members Soo-young and Yu-ri were there to represent Girls' Generation. "We are happy to be a part of this event promoting constructive and exemplary contracts between entertainers and management agencies," said Soo-young. "I hope that our small efforts can lead to a brighter future for Korea's entertainment industry." Yu-ri promised to "show my best side to promote Korean pop culture to a wider audience."

The event was arranged by the GNP lawmaker, who has been a vocal advocate of protecting the rights of artists, many of whom are bound by stifling terms in their contracts with powerful management agencies. "I hope that this event will allow more artists to seek their rights and to create an atmosphere of trust in the industry," Cho said.