On January 13, a new episode of YouTube channel TEO’s talk show Salon Drip 2 was released, titled “A Remarkable Star Backed by SM on the Left and THEBLACKLABEL on the Right | EP.122 Im Si-wan.” During the episode, Im Si-wan candidly discussed how his unusual agency arrangement came to be.
Responding to host Jang Do-yeon’s question about why his first solo album was released through SM rather than his current agency THEBLACKLABEL, Im Si-wan explained that he had signed a music-related contract with SM about a year earlier. “I told them I wanted to release an album and communicate with fans on stage, and they helped plan it,” he said. “After that, I signed an exclusive contract with THEBLACKLABEL.”
Jang Do-yeon then asked which agency’s managers accompany him during music promotions. Im Si-wan replied, “It’s a rare experience for me too, but staff from both companies come. It’s like a grand union of two major agencies SM and THEBLACKLABEL.” His comment prompted laughter when Jang joked, “That’s like uniting Christianity and Buddhism.”
Im Si-wan further explained how the two companies divide their roles. “I record music at SM, while meetings related to acting projects are handled at THEBLACKLABEL,” he said. When asked to boast about the perks of each agency, he shared lighthearted examples: “At SM, when an artist releases an album, the in-house café even wraps cup holders with congratulatory messages. At THEBLACKLABEL, there’s space to work out and separate rooms where you can read scripts when you’re in a rush.”
Jang Do-yeon also pointed out the contrasting vibes of Im Si-wan’s newly released profile photos from both agencies, noting, “The mood is completely different. SM feels warm, while THEBLACKLABEL feels cold it’s interesting how big the temperature gap is.” Im Si-wan responded, “Coincidentally, they were released on the same day. It really shows how much better things are when professionals handle it.”
Through his candid remarks, Im Si-wan offered fans a fascinating glimpse into how two powerhouse agencies with opposite styles can coexist each contributing to different sides of his multifaceted career.
Sources: Daum