With EXO's first full-group activities in two years proceeding without EXO-CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin), EXO-CBX and SM Entertainment have issued relay statements that remain on parallel tracks.
On the 27th, SM Entertainment (hereafter SM) announced in a press release that it will hold a year-end fan meeting, EXO'verse, at Inspire Arena in Jung-gu, Incheon on Dec. 14, and simultaneously announced the release of its eighth studio album in the first quarter of 2026.
Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun and Lay will participate in the year-end fan meeting and new album, and the members, who have built careers across various fields through individual activities, will reunite under the name EXO to meet fans for the first time in two years.
News of EXO's year-end fan meeting and studio album release had been hinted at through mentions by members. The key question was how many members would participate, and in particular whether EXO-CBX would attend. EXO-CBX will not participate in this fan meeting or the upcoming eighth studio album.
Meanwhile, according to a report by Law Times on the 28th, EXO-CBX lost as several lawsuits it filed against former agency SM Entertainment seeking accounting records and alleging unfair contracts were dismissed or resulted in no charges.
On the 29th, INB100, the agency of EXO-CBX, opened its position, saying, "We deeply apologize for causing confusion and concern among fans by delaying the announcement on whether EXO-CBX would participate in EXO's full-group activities. Our company and EXO-CBX promised fans full-group activities as members of EXO and have been making every possible effort for that," opening up on the dispute with SM.
EXO-CBX detailed the process of seeking a settlement with SM, saying, "On July 9 this year we met SM and confirmed an initial intention to settle. We confirmed the direction and will to reach an agreement for EXO's full-group activities." It added that on Sept. 10 the two sides mutually shared a concrete settlement proposal and entered substantive negotiation stages.
Moreover, after the second mediation date (Oct. 2), EXO-CBX said it accepted all the conditions proposed by SM to enable EXO's year-end full-group comeback and clearly conveyed its willingness to settle, and then waited for SM's response, but learned of an announcement about a fan meeting and studio album release from EXO excluding EXO-CBX.
EXO-CBX said, "The members have valued above all the sincere support of fans who have been with them for a long time and earnestly wanted EXO's full-group activities, so they chose the path of settlement," adding, "Accordingly, we will draw up a settlement for full-group activities as soon as possible. We thank the fans who always believe and wait for us and will do our best to produce a good outcome."
When EXO-CBX issued its statement, SM Entertainment quickly rebutted. The same day SM Entertainment said, "We address the statements from Byun Baek-hyun, Kim Jong-dae and Kim Min-seok. We have made clear to the three that ending the dispute and team activities are separate matters," and emphasized that regardless of any settlement, it would be difficult for them to join full-group activities.
SM said, "First, regarding the end of the dispute, we have prevailed in all disputes so far, and what we asked of the three was only to pay 10% of individual activity revenues as set out in the existing agreement dated June 18, 2023. However, this has not yet been carried out."
Regarding why EXO-CBX members cannot participate in EXO's full-group activities, SM said, "Excessive multiple disputes have greatly eroded trust between the parties, and given the damage to the team EXO and the hurt caused to fans and members, it is only natural that the existing agreement be carried out and the three take serious steps to restore trust first," adding, "But contrary to the three's claim that after the second mediation date they accepted all conditions we proposed and clearly conveyed their willingness to settle, they filed an objection on the 16th. We cannot help but express deep regret over today's announcement by the three, which distorts these circumstances."
EXO-CBX responded again to SM's rebuttal, saying, "EXO-CBX's intention to pay 10% of revenues has not changed, and since litigation is ongoing, we plan to carry it out once an agreement is reached and legal procedures are concluded," adding, "All negotiations proceeded on the premise of 'EXO full-group activities.' EXO-CBX made clear its intention to perform the existing agreement, communicated directly with the members, and has been striving to participate as part of the team."
EXO-CBX said that regarding SM's claim that "contrary to the three's claim that after the Oct. 2 mediation they accepted all conditions we proposed and clearly conveyed their willingness to settle, they filed an objection on the 16th," "EXO-CBX communicated to SM its intention to pay 10% of individual activity revenues around the court mediation date and was waiting for a final response."
EXO-CBX added, "However, the amount proposed by the mediation committee on Oct. 2 was an arbitrary figure unrelated to the parties' agreement, so both sides stated at the mediation hearing that they could not accept it," and "after that amount was delivered in writing, both sides filed objections on Oct. 16. This was merely a procedural step, and the claim that EXO-CBX had no intention to settle is not true."
EXO-CBX said, "We sincerely apologize to fans who may have felt confusion and concern during the legal process with SM," and promised, "EXO-CBX will faithfully implement the existing agreement and do its best to restore trust with the members and to reach amicable consultations with SM."
As EXO-CBX expresses a desire to join EXO's full-group activities while SM insists trust restoration must come first, relay rebuttals continue to appear, and attention is on how future EXO activities will unfold.
[Photo] OSEN DB, provided by SM Entertainment
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