After EXO-CBX publicly said they would accept SM Entertainment’s terms with no strings attached to join upcoming full-group activities, SM responded that resolving their legal dispute and participating in EXO promotions are “separate matters,” expressing regret over the trio’s statement.
On Oct. 29, SM said in a statement that it has prevailed in all disputes to date and that its only demand has been the 10% of individual-activity revenue set in a June 18, 2023 agreement―an amount the company says remains unpaid.
Earlier, EXO-CBX claimed they had been in talks with SM since July and, as of Oct. 2, had accepted all of the company’s conditions, adding that SM announced EXO fan-meeting and album timelines without them. The trio previously notified SM in June 2023 that they were terminating their exclusive contracts over alleged deficiencies in settlement data, later agreeing to pursue individual work under independent label INB100.
SM countered that any return to team activities should follow sincere efforts to rebuild trust, which it says was badly damaged by multiple disputes that hurt EXO, its members and fans.
The company also stated that, contrary to EXO-CBX’s claim of clearly accepting all terms on Oct. 2 after a second mediation session, the trio filed an objection on Oct. 16. SM said it “cannot help but express deep regret” over what it called a distorted account.
While SM had long signaled plans for full-group moves since 2023, the company has shifted course: the next album rollout and Dec. 13?14 fan meeting are set to proceed with six members―SUHO, CHANYEOL, D.O., KAI, SEHUN and LAY―excluding CHEN, BAEKHYUN and XIUMIN.
Observers point to SM’s strong position in the legal fight, along with LAY’s renewed participation, as key factors reshaping EXO’s plans.
Attention now turns to whether SM and EXO-CBX can strike another deal before December’s fan meeting.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)