Three members of the popular K-Pop boyband, EXO (엑소) – Baekhyun (백현), Chen (첸), and Xiumin (시우민) – are reportedly suing their company, SM Entertainment to terminate their exclusive contract.
According to a representative from the law firm Lin, an exclusive contract termination notice has been delivered to SM Entertainment on behalf of the three EXO members. The representative stated the reason was due to overdue payments and unreasonable contract deals.
The three idols, who are also a part of the subunit EXO-CBX, believed there were problematic aspects of their earnings and requested a transparent settlement report and basis of settlement from their company. The firm mentioned that this is the legitimate right of the artist to request the report and that SM Entertainment is obliged to comply. However, the company allegedly claimed that the information could not be disclosed to the artists.
The law firm also stated that the talent agency forced their artists to sign lengthy exclusive contracts, totalling 12 to 13 years. They have also recently demanded artists prematurely renew and extend their contracts to at least 17 to 18 years. The firm added, “This is SM committing unjust use of power against its artists once again.” Former artists of SM Entertainment have previously sued the company for subjecting artists to unfair “slave contracts” and violating existing laws surrounding contracts in the entertainment industry.
Following the news of the legal notice, SM Entertainment has responded, claiming that “outside forces”, or other entertainment companies, are coercing the artists to violate their exclusive contracts. The statement reads, “These outside forces are using groundless rumours, libel and slander, and sweet talk to coerce our artists into violating their exclusive contracts or signing multiple contracts, engaging in clearly illegal activities.” The company added that it will pursue all possible legal action on the matter and act against the “tyrannical outside forces” to protect its artists’ name and image.
Meanwhile, Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin have also extended messages to fans through the law firm. The trio apologised for causing concern to their fans and says they will do their best to resolve the dispute with their company, adding that they want to speak out about the company’s injustice. The message ends with a word of thanks to their fans who have supported them all these years.
It’s heartbreaking that K-pop artists are still subjected to such unfair contracts. For now, we can only hope that the trio and the company can come to a resolution soon.
Adleena contributed to this article.
