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.
EXO quit call: Angry fans return Chen's albums, merchandise in protest
K-pop group EXO's Chen delivered the unexpected news that he would marry his pregnant girlfriend in January. Courtesy of SM Entertainment.
By Lee Gyu-lee
By Lee Gyu-lee
Angry fans' calls for singer Chen's removal from K-pop band EXO have not died out but evolved into another movement ― returning the artist's merchandise to his agency SM Entertainment.
Fans have been mailing boxes of destroyed albums and merchandise to the agency as an expression of their annoyance at the singer's
in January. Since Wednesday, they have been posting pictures of the boxes, package receipts and torn goods on social media.
“This is the last time I'm spending money on you,” a user wrote, referring to the mailing fee.
Angry fans are sending boxes of Chen's merchandise to his agency to urge his removal from EXO. Screen capture from Twitter
Another user wrote: “(My package) weighed 16 kilograms and he wasn't even my favorite… All these goods that I paid with every penny became worthless, and this is your worth and reality. Please stop exhausting other people and leave the group.”
A union of EXO's fan clubs ― urging Chen to resign ― initiated the movement, calling it the “K-EXOL Delivery Challenge,” by posting guidelines on Feb. 26 through social media.
The movement emerged after the agency failed to respond to the union's second call for the singer's dismissal. It also encouraged fans abroad to post a photo of the statement to show support.
A union of fans calling for Chen's resignation wants fans abroad to show support for the “K-EXOL Delivery Challenge.” Screen Capture from Twitter
have been expressing their disappointment to the singer, saying his sudden news was an irresponsible move for EXO's future. Other fans showed loyalty to the singer and supported his decision by posting hashtags such as #Chen_Stays and #MyAnswerIsEXO9.
Despite some fans' anger, SM Entertainment made it clear that all EXO members will remain as a group. “All of the members expressed their hope to stay together, and we decided to respect their opinion,” it said on Feb. 20.
The date and details of the artist's wedding have not been disclosed.