As SM Entertainment (SME) drew a line by saying that carrying out the terms of the agreement takes precedence for EXO-CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin), who expressed a desire to join full-group EXO activities, EXO-CBX reiterated that they are willing to settle and repeatedly asked to rejoin the team.
On the 30th, EXO-CBX's agency INB100 issued a statement saying, "EXO-CBX will faithfully carry out the existing agreement and will do their best to restore trust with the members and to reach an amicable settlement with SM."
On the 29th, SM claimed that the provision requiring payment of 10% of EXO-CBX's individual activity revenue, as set in the June 18, 2023 agreement, has yet to be fulfilled. In response, EXO-CBX said, "Our intention to pay 10% of revenue remains unchanged," adding, "As litigation is currently underway, we plan to implement it once a settlement is reached and the legal procedures are concluded."
Regarding SM's description that the trust relationship with EXO-CBX has "largely collapsed," they said, "All discussions proceeded on the premise of 'full-group EXO activities,'" and added, "EXO-CBX has made clear its intention to carry out the existing agreement, has been communicating directly with the members, and has worked to be together as part of the team."
SM also sees a problem in the fact that they filed an objection first on the 16th after the second mediation date on Oct. 2. The company said this behavior runs counter to EXO-CBX's claim that they would accept all conditions and settle.
In turn, EXO-CBX said, "The amount proposed by the mediation committee was an arbitrary calculation unrelated to the parties' agreement, so both companies stated at the mediation session that they could not accept it," adding, "After the amount was formally delivered in writing, both sides filed objections on the 16th. This was merely a measure in accordance with routine procedure, and the claim that EXO-CBX has no intention to settle is not true."
On the 27th, SM announced it will hold the fan meeting "EXO'verse" at Inspire Arena in Incheon on Dec. 13–14. It also said the eighth full-length album will be released in the first quarter of next year, with full-fledged activities to follow.
The lineup for these activities includes Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and even the Chinese member Lay, who had left SM, but the names of Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, who transferred to INB100 and are active there, were omitted. In response, EXO-CBX expressed their intention to participate in EXO activities. However, SM maintains a negative stance on their inclusion this time, citing failure to carry out the terms of the agreement and a breakdown of trust due to multiple disputes.