
The former head of SM Entertainment's artist and repertoire (A&R) department is under fire after registering his wife as a lyricist for 15 songs.
According to reports, former A&R head 'A' selected lyrics written by his wife without notifying the company, and he's currently undergoing severe disciplinary action. His wife reportedly participated in writing lyrics for EXO, BoA, Baekhyun, and EXO-CBX.
The A&R department is responsible for discovering, contracting, and fostering artists as well as for developing, contracting, and producing musical pieces that fit the artist. A&R will further participate in researching and finding lyrics after commissioning songs received from composers.
As 'A' selected lyrics written by his wife without notifying SM Entertainment, he's under fire for abuse of power and violating fairness rules. It's reported all the tracks that credited his wife as a lyricist were written alongside a famous lyricist, who has a close friendship with the couple.
Key word here = "Former"
So the current dispute is over payments and royalties, past and future, then if not that wife, who's entitled.