EXO members Chen, Xiumin, and Baekhyun have notified their agency SM Entertainment on their exclusive contract termination.
Here are the details.
EXO Chen, Baekhyun, & Xiumin Advise Exclusive Contract Termination With SM Entertainment
On June 1, legal representative and lawyer Lee Jae Hak from Lin law firm has announced that Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen have sent a termination filing several times.
"SM Entertainment is trying to force artists to create new follow-up contracts for at least 17 to 18 years," Lee Jae Hak added. "This is SM Entertainment's extremely unfair tyranny with its artists."
The representative stated the requesting of a transparent basis for settlement is the bare minimum right for every artist. SM Entertainment, as an agency, has an obligation to fulfill the requirements, but failed to comply with a data copy.
"SM has maintained its position that it cannot provide copies of such data."
Lee Jae Hak also followed up on a statement:
"Due to the difference in position with SM, we are inevitably pursuing legal action, but we will do our best to resolve the dispute by finding a wise way so that fans do not have to worry too much."
Meanwhile, on an online forum, EXO-Ls expressed their disappointment towards SM Entertainment.
"SM is so dysfunctional it's not even funny."
"Wow I'm getting goosebumps. Seriously, this is such a sad news."
"They are still doing this?"
"I don't think it's easy to start a case. There are so many cases like this that happened in the past too."
"SM Entertainment is still like this?"
"No, but they've been through these lawsuits so many times already and still?"
"Wow, so SM hasn't changed."
EXO Chen, Baekhyun, & Xiumin Assure Eris Through Legal Firm's Statement
Apart from the conditions relayed by the law firm, Lee Jae Hak also included a message from Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin.
Their messages are as follows:
1. There is no other way to express our sincerest apologies to fans for causing so much concern.
2. We will find the best and wisest way to resolve the dispute, even though our situation is something that concerns legal enforcement because of our differences with SM Entertainment.
3. We are afraid currently as we are trying our best to voice out against the injustices.
4. We hope that everyone will be attentive to what we have to say, as well as our courage to speak out. We would like to thank our fans who supported us for so long.
What are your thoughts on this? Tell us in the comments below!
Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news.