#icymi
AUGUST:
1- In August, the fallout from the Johnny Kitagawa scandal continued following Kaouan Okamoto's revelations & the BBC-led investigation earlier this year. The company officially announced the results of its internal investigation related to the multiple sexual abuse claims against the former agency head. The label, which was founded — and named after — the now-deceased businessman Johnny Kitagawa came under fire earlier in 2023 when it was shared through the media that the label had created an unsafe environment for its trainees and employees. This was discovered after substantial evidence was shared stating that Johnny Kitagawa himself had actively participated in the grooming and serial abuse of a multitude of young (often underage) trainees and artists under the label. The result of the company's internal investigation was revealed in August. The current head (at the time of the report's release) of Johnny's and Associates, Julie 'Keiko' Fukushima would step down from her official position as head of the agency, and the former Shonentai member and Jonny's artist, Noriyuki Higayashiyama would take over her position as CEO. This decision also came under some criticism as Noriyuki, similarly to Kitagawa, has also faced a series of abuse allegations on his own. It was shared that there were various abuse allegations levelled towards the new head as well.

Through the internal investigation, there was a series of recommendations put forward by the investigative body. It was recommended that Julie Keiko, Kitagawa's niece, and CEO at the time, should step down from her position as the head of the company to prevent another reoccurrence of gross negligence on behalf of the agency. The investigation officially determined that there had been a widespread period of abuse beginning in the 1950s all the way up to the 2010s, and that Kitagawa's sister had helped cover up for the agency founder. Later in the month, it was announced that Keiko had stepped down from her position as CEO and that Johnny Kitagawa would have his Guinness World Records purged from their Japanese website. In addition to this, the company would be changing its name to SMILE-UP following widespread criticisms that continuing to operate under the legacy and name of a serial abuser would be inappropriate and further tarnish the reputation of not just the management company, but would also cause their artists to lose out on opportunities in the future. Then in November, it was announced that Atsushi Fukuda, president of the consulting firm, Speedy assumed leadership of Johnny and Associates' new yet-to-be-named company as president. In total, over 400 people had filed complaints with the agency reporting that they had been abused by the Japanese businessman. Among them was former Kiss-My-Ft2 member, Iida Kyouhei. He shared that he had not actually quit the band to pursue an education — as he had originally stated — but rather that he had suffered from abuse at the hands of Kitagawa between the ages of 13 and 18.

2- Numerous legacy SM artists began to depart from SM Entertainment throughout the month. Three SUPER JUNIOR members: Eunhyuk, Donghae, and Kyuhyun officially departed SM in search of new companies. Kyuhyun officially signed with Yoo Jae-suk's current agency, Antenna, while his fellow members Eunhyuk & Donghae set up a new agency, ODE Entertainment for the management of both their solo activities, as well as their SUPER JUNIOR D&E schedules. Then in August, SNSD's Sunny officially departed from the company following the expiration of her contract. Each of the idols will continue to work with SM for their group schedules with SUPER JUNIOR & SNSD respectively.