Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin express desire to rejoin EXO, say they accept all SM conditions

EXO members Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin, known collectively as CBX / Courtesy of INB100.

EXO members Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin, known collectively as CBX, have voiced their intention to rejoin EXO’s full-group activities after losing their legal dispute with SM Entertainment, saying they are prepared to accept all conditions the agency has proposed for the group’s comeback.

In a statement released Wednesday, their label INB100 said the trio remains committed to promoting as part of the full EXO lineup. “Both INB100 and CBX have promised to continue EXO’s group activities and have made every effort to make it happen,” the agency said.

According to INB100, CBX met with SM in July to discuss a potential reunion and entered practical negotiations in September. After the second mediation session on Oct. 2, the three members agreed to all terms suggested by SM for EXO’s year-end comeback and cleared their personal schedules for December while awaiting a final response from the company.

However, the agency said it was taken aback when SM recently announced that EXO would hold a fan meeting on Dec. 13 and 14 and release its eighth full-length album early next year without CBX’s participation. SM said the upcoming events would feature EXO members Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun and Lay.

“CBX members deeply value their fans, who have supported EXO for so many years, and they sincerely wanted to return as part of the full group,” INB100 said. “We remain committed to reaching an agreement as soon as possible so that EXO can reunite as one.”

INB100, founded by Baekhyun, represents Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin, who have been in a legal dispute with SM Entertainment over contract fulfillment and payment issues.

The conflict began after CBX accused SM of failing to provide proper revenue records, while SM claimed the trio did not pay the agreed ten percent of their individual earnings for using EXO-related intellectual property. Courts have since ruled in SM’s favor.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.