While EXO (엑소) is gearing up for their long-awaited comeback, fans are left in the dark about Chen (첸), Baekhyun (백현) and Xiumin’s (시우민) future with EXO amid the ongoing legal battle. Despite multiple tries to mediate, both parties can’t seem to reach an agreement, sparking a heated debate.
Earlier this week, EXO announced plans for their long-awaited group comeback, which will begin with a fan meeting in December. While fans were initially happy that members Lay (레이) and D.O (디오) would participate in the event, their excitement quickly diminished upon learning that Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin, a.k.a CBX (첸백시), wouldn’t be part of the comeback because of the trio’s ongoing legal issues with SM Entertainment.
To recap, CBX has been in dispute with SM since 2024 over profit transparency. Both parties held their first mediation session last month, hoping to come to a mutual agreement on the issue, but to no avail. Recently, the court acquitted the five lawsuits the trio filed against their former agency, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also determined that the SM didn’t violate any terms in their agreement.
Following this ruling, CBX’s agency, INB100, released a statement regarding the trio’s activities with EXO. In their statement, the company said the trio intend to reach an agreement with SM to participate in EXO’s full-group activities, revealing that the members even cleared their schedules to participate in the comeback. INB100 also mentioned that EXO-CBX had clearly conveyed their willingness to accept all conditions presented by SM to ease the process.
However, SM would later counter INB100’s claims. In their statement, the label also reiterated that their legal disputes with the trio are separate from discussions about EXO’s group activities. Despite that, SM noted that the issues with CBX had destroyed the trust between both sides, additionally causing harm to EXO and the fans. The company argued that the trio should first fulfil the terms of their existing agreement to demonstrate efforts to restore trust.
In INB100’s latest statement, the agency said it planned to fulfil the terms stipulated after the legal procedure concludes. The label also argued that CBX are doing their utmost to rebuild trust with SM and the EXO members. Online, fans have reacted to the ongoing ordeal with mixed emotions. While some fans continue to rally for a group comeback with all nine members, others criticised all parties for prolonging the issue.
Meanwhile, SM has announced an update for EXO’s fan meeting at Inspire Arena. Both sessions will now take place on 14th December 2025 (Sunday), at 2pm and 7pm. What are your thoughts on this issue?
