After news of two of the largest companies in Korea each running their own audition program, much attention was put on which side would win the battle of pride. The controversy first began with MBC and SBS creating their own audition program and beginning discussions with SM Entertainment, asking for cooperation. The discussions immediately piqued the interests of industry representatives since Korea's first original audition program, "Super Star K," is broadcast by Mnet. With CJ Media & Entertainment being the parent group to Mnet, representatives began speculating a battle of pride between CJ's Lee Mi Kyung and SM's Lee Soo Man. The rivalry between the two is a well known fact in the industry. Mnet does not service SM artists on their music sites while SME boycotts Mnet and their year-end awards, the MAMA, due to unfair voting standards. The most representative case of their ill-fated relationship lies in Mnet casting TVXQ's Jaejoong, Junsu, and Yoochun on last year's MAMA, fully knowing that the trio are involved with a lawsuit against SME. Fortunately, it has recently been revealed that SME and CJE are seeking ways to join forces in what is considered to be a professional manner. The two will be avoiding the aspects of the industry that first created their enemy-like relationship and will be embarking on a completely new project. The two companies will be joining forces for movie productions and the distribution of a variety of different content. SM Entertainment had already produced a movie in 2007 with Super Junior titled, "Attack on the Pin-up Boys" by setting up their own film enterprise, SM Pictures. Although they bravely attempted to enter the movie industry, their efforts were met with meek results. With CJE already being a veteran of the industry, combining forces with SME will only bring about more profit and success. Representatives commented that no matter what ill feelings they had for one another, a situation has arose in which they must 'row their paddles in the same direction' lest both of them lose everything. One representative stated, "For profit, anything can be put on the table. We fully believe that a warm breeze will finally blow between the two companies in the business world." Source + Photos: Sports Chosun