H.O.T’s Tony An(23) has decided not to renew his contract holding his position in the group and is leaving to America. As a result, H.O.T, the group that has reached the highest level of popularity in the past five years as "teenage idols", has stepped into the process of breaking up. Tony will be leaving for America around the beginning of March. He is planning on leaving to his home in Orange County, LA right after the H.O.T concert tour (starting on the 27th) ends. On the 20th of February, Tony revealed his present thoughts. He said, "I have not decided ultimately whether or not I am going to renew the contract. For the moment, I’m planning on going to America to take a step back and sincerely think about the future of my path in life. I can’t say right now whether my stay in America will be short or long." Tony’s trip to America translates into the break up of H.O.T. The negotiation of the contract renewal began at the end of last year, and has now found itself in this situation after a rough voyage with still no definite agreement. However, Tony going back to America shows that his decision is more on the side of not renewing the contract. Also, if the proceedings were definite, the length of his stay in America should also have to be definite. However, everyone is accepting the established fact that H.O.T is breaking up, saying, "the other members have even made decisions as to what path they are going to take after the team breaks up." Tony, who is an American citizen, has been through a long and hard journey with SM Entertainment in terms of renewing his contract. Tony, along with Jang Woo Hyuk (23) and Lee Jae Won (21), has consulted with SM about the renewal situation. However, they couldn’t come to a mutual agreement, which sent rumors of their break up flying into the gayo (note: name for k-pop) world. Tony’s contract with SM ends on the coming March 4 while Jang Woo Hyuk and Lee Jae Won’s contract will end in around the middle of April. On the other hand, the leader Moon Hee Jun (23) and lead vocal KangTa’s (22) contracts have already been extended into the next year. Excluding Moon Hee Jun and KangTa, the rest of the members have been let down by SM’s behavior when it came to the process of renewing contracts. According to different sources, they requested a salary that was well-matched with the million-seller status with every album after their debut, but they were turned down. Also, they felt alienated after finding out that Moon Hee Jun and KangTa had already renewed their contracts (separately from the three of them) last year, way before the three were asked to renew their contracts. Because SM didn’t reveal any definite outlook about the situation with the renewal of the members?contracts until now, they can no longer deny and avoid the break up H.O.T.

Taken from : Soompi

Popular group HOT is stirring up a lot of news due to their 'rumor' of them breaking up. HOT, who is signed under SM Entertainment, had an advertisement of 2002 World Cup on the evening of the 14th but they said they could take the offer because of their positions. It is said tat they are having problems renewing their contracts and also of the fact that members have to serve the mandatory military agreement. Information was released about this news from a worker under SM but for privicy issues, his/her name will remain private. The workers says he is sure that this 'rumor' is true because of the member's change in personality. They have changed away from each other and are not denying this matter. A poll was taken by fans to pick their favorite entertainer who they think should have the opportunity to advertise this event. HOT and SES got 1st place for male / female catagory. Because the 2002 World Cup is a big event in Korea, it is unthinkable that a star would give up such an offer but they had no choice but to decline the offer without a reason. In the middle of March, Tony, JaeWon, and WooHyuk's contracts will end. Because their looks into music has changed, it is hard to renew their contracts to the way they want it. After theic oncert, they will reveal the situation to their fans.

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