SMPlayer is not in KDE System Tray , when launch via a video or playlist

[LandisTwo]

This is probably a KDE /OpenSuSE issue,
but after a recent update to Leap 15.6, SMP iis no longer in system tray when I launch SMP via a playlist (m3u file) or a video directly in Konqueror (filemanager).
If I launch SMP/MPV from KDE Launcher (Application Menu), then load a playlist or media file, SMPlayer IS in the system tray...
(yes. the option 'show in system tray' is checked, unchecked and checked again)
Any ideas? ..
Landis.
p.s. SMP is, has been my goto media player for nearly 2 decade. THANKS.

p.p.s, just for the heck of it, I 'open with SMPlayer' in other filemanagers (krusader, Qtfm) and the SMPlayer icon IS in the system tray... hmmm
So, it's an OpenSuSE/KDE issue. maybe. most likely.