SM Entertainment’s First K-Pop Group H.O.T. Were Paid This “Paltry” Amount, Despite Their Success

SM Entertainment once had a contract disagreement that led to the disbandment of their first K-Pop idol group, H.O.T. (Highfive Of Teenagers).

SM Entertainment debuted H.O.T. in 1996, and the group’s debut album was a great success that sold 1.5 million albums.

The group quickly became a sensation in Korea and even internationally, having been nominated for the “International Viewer’s Choice Award” at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards.

Despite all the success that H.O.T. continued to receive, the group announced their disbandment in 2001. Members Jang Woohyuk, Tony An, and Lee Jaewon all announced their decision to part ways with SM Entertainment because they weren’t able to come to an agreement around their contract.

Fans were upset at the group’s disbandment, with many protesting outside SM Entertainment.

Eventually, it was revealed that the disagreements in H.O.T.’s contracts came from SM Entertainment’s lack of adequate payment for their artists. Although H.O.T. continually sold over a million copies of their albums, the members only received a measly $10,000 USD for every million albums sold.

Fortunately, after their disbandment, the members pursued successful solo careers and even held reunion concerts for their fans.