Chen Baek Xi Expresses Intent for EXO Full Group Activities... SM Says Agreement Conditions Must Be Met First

EXO members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (hereafter referred to as Chen Baek Xi), who are in a contract dispute with SM Entertainment, have expressed their intention to return to team activities, but SM has drawn the line citing the failure to meet the conditions for resolving the dispute.

On the 29th, Chen Baek Xi's agency INB100 announced, "The members of Chen Baek Xi have promised fans full group activities as part of EXO and are making every effort to achieve this," adding, "We plan to reach an agreement for full group activities as soon as possible."

However, SM immediately refuted this. SM stated, "We have clearly indicated to the three members that the agreement for resolving the dispute and team activities are separate issues," and added, "The only demand made to the three members regarding the resolution of the dispute was to pay 10% of their individual activity revenue, which has not yet been fulfilled."

On the 27th, SM announced that EXO plans to hold a fan meeting in December and release their 8th regular album in the first quarter of next year. They explained that only six members, Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay, would participate in the fan meeting and regular album activities, excluding Chen Baek Xi, who are currently in a lawsuit regarding contract fulfillment and settlement claims against SM.

On this day, SM stated, "Due to numerous unreasonable disputes, trust between both parties has significantly deteriorated," and added, "The issue of participating in team activities should be preceded by the three members' serious efforts to fulfill the existing agreement and restore trust."

The start of the dispute dates back to 2023. Chen Baek Xi notified SM of the termination of their contract, citing that SM was not providing proper revenue settlement data, and filed a complaint with the Fair Trade Commission against SM.

Both parties agreed to maintain the contract but under the condition that the three members would independently conduct their individual activities through INB100. However, SM later filed a lawsuit for contract fulfillment, demanding 10% of Chen Baek Xi's individual activity revenue, and Chen Baek Xi countered with a lawsuit for settlement claims.

Chen Baek Xi filed a complaint against SM executives for fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes and reported SM to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for not providing settlement data, but SM won consecutively.

In the case of the contract fulfillment and settlement claim lawsuit, the second mediation failed on the 2nd, returning to the main lawsuit procedure.

INB100 claimed, "After the second mediation date, Chen Baek Xi accepted all conditions proposed by SM and conveyed their intention to reach an agreement," stating, "The members of Chen Baek Xi chose the path of agreement because they earnestly wished for EXO's full group activities."

On the other hand, SM refuted, saying, "Contrary to the three members' claim that they clearly conveyed their intention to agree, they filed an objection on the 16th first," expressing great regret over the distortion of these circumstances.