Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
Angry fans urge Chen to leave EXO after engagement news
K-pop boy band EXO's Chen is facing strong criticism from fans after announcing his engagement and his girlfriend's pregnancy, Monday. Korea Times file
By Lee Gyu-lee
By Lee Gyu-lee
What K-pop group EXO's Chen called a “blessing” has turned into fans' condemnation.
The lead vocalist, 27, is facing a huge backlash from angry fans who have called for him to leave the group after he dropped wedding and baby news with his girlfriend, Monday.
One fan community ― DC Inside EXO ― released a statement the same day expressing its disapproval of the singer's decision and urging his removal from the group.
“Such an unexpected move from Chen not only breaks the trust between the singer and the fans but also is a selfish choice that shows no respect for the group,” the statement said. “We find Chen to be disqualifiable to be part of EXO, so we call for a boycott of any of his further activity from today on.”
Multiple foreign media outlets, including CNN, the Jakarta Post and Nikkan Sports, reported on the singer's engagement and his girlfriend's pregnancy.
Chen delivered the news through a handwritten letter saying: “I have a girlfriend, who I want to share the rest of my life with. While I was discussing with other EXO members and company officials about delivering the news (on my girlfriend), a 'blessing' came to us.”
The group's agency SM Entertainment confirmed that Chen will tie the knot with a non-celebrity girlfriend, but did not disclose further details.
Chen debuted as a member of EXO in 2012. He made his solo debut with the 2019 album “April, and a Flower.” The group released its sixth album "OBSESSION" about two months ago.