EXO member Xiumin is experiencing noise even before his solo comeback. While there is noise concerning appearances on music shows with KBS, there are projections that appearances on other broadcasting stations may also be difficult.
Xiumin will release his second solo mini-album "Interview X" on the 10th and make his comeback. This album is his first new solo release after 2 years and 6 months since his first solo album released in September 2022, and it is the first album he is releasing after moving from SM Entertainment to INB100 under MC Mong's One Hundred.
Amid high expectations for his long-awaited solo activities, it seems that Xiumin's solo activities are not going smoothly, as there are suspicions that he is experiencing conflicts with the broadcasting station regarding his appearance on music shows.
First, One Hundred stated that Xiumin's appearance on KBS 2TV's "Music Bank" is difficult. They said, "We have tried to hold meetings with the broadcasting station several times to showcase a good stage, but KBS has not responded to our contact at all. In this situation, KBS has recently unofficially conveyed that it is impossible for Xiumin to concurrently appear on programs featuring SM Entertainment artists such as KBS 2TV's 'Music Bank,'" claiming that Xiumin's appearance has been blocked due to external pressure from SM Entertainment and KBS.
Subsequently, One Hundred stated, "We have only received an unofficial answer that the reason Xiumin's appearance on 'Music Bank' did not happen is that 'it is impossible to appear concurrently with artists from a specific agency.' We believe this response is unfair treatment towards the artist, and we have attempted to communicate several times, but we have not received any specific explanation aside from the media response saying 'it's not true.'"
As the conflict between One Hundred and KBS has come to light, the fallout has increased as Imu-jin, an artist under Big Planet Made Entertainment, and broadcaster Lee Soo-geun have opted not to participate in the KBS variety show recording.
The issue is that projections have arisen stating that Xiumin's appearances on music shows not only on 'Music Bank' but also on other broadcasting stations are difficult. Currently, it is known that Xiumin's appearances on cable channel Mnet's 'M Countdown' on the 13th and SBS's 'Inkigayo' on the 16th have not been finalized. Typically, artists hold their comeback stages through major music shows in the first week of album release, but Xiumin's first week comeback performance is uncertain.
Meanwhile, KBS Han Kyung-cheon, the center head, commented on the conflict with One Hundred, saying, "Casting and lineup are 99% the responsibility of the production team. Ultimately, it is a communication issue between the production team and the agency. I conveyed this stance in a meeting with senior officials last week." He added, "The assertion that contact has not been made is not true."
[Photo] OSEN DB.
[OSEN]