CBX Lawsuit Update plus CBX Agency addresses Non-Participation, Vows Full-Group Activities

EXO-CBX Loses All Lawsuits Against SM Entertainment

Court dismisses claims of unfair contracts and settlement data disputes, upholding SM's position in all legal challenges

[OSEN=Yeon Hwi-seon Reporter] The EXO unit EXO-CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin) has lost all lawsuits against SM Entertainment.

According to the Legal Times on the 28th, the EXO-CBX side lost various lawsuits, including claims of failure to provide settlement data and unfair contracts, against their former agency SM Entertainment, as the court consecutively dismissed and found no grounds for the claims.

Earlier, the EXO-CBX side requested all settlement data related to EXO’s 13 years of activity from SM at the Seoul Eastern District Court. However, the court ordered the submission of data only from after the new exclusive contract and dismissed the rest, stating, “The application was speculative without specifying the existence or scope of the settlement amount.”

Provisional measures for inspecting and copying accounting books were also dismissed. The court reasoned that “the case application was an expedient to achieve the purpose of the document submission order or to psychologically pressure SM Entertainment by maintaining this case.”

Despite the EXO-CBX side filing appeals and re-appeals, both the High Court and the Supreme Court dismissed them, ruling in favor of SM Entertainment.

Meanwhile, reports filed with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Fair Trade Commission were also concluded without charges. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism found no violation of the exclusive contract or the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Act, as SM periodically disclosed settlement data to the EXO-CBX side. The Korea Fair Trade Commission also did not accept the EXO-CBX side’s claims of an “unfair contract” with SM and “unfair support” regarding the imposition of music distribution fees with Kakao Entertainment.

However, the EXO-CBX side has not released a separate official statement. Meanwhile, EXO will hold a year-end fan meeting and release a new album with a six-member lineup excluding EXO-CBX, consisting of Seohun, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Xiumin, and Lay.

Source: https://www.chosun.com/english…Q5MUOM65G3JFTYCM7IFZ6RFI/

EXO-CBX Agency Addresses Non-Participation, Vows Full-Group Activities

EXO-CBX Cleared December Schedules for Comeback, Awaiting SM's Final Response Amid Fan Meeting Exclusion

[OSEN=Reporter Kim Chae-yeon] Amid the EXO group fan meeting scheduled for December, where EXO-CBX, Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin members will not participate, the EXO-CBX side has directly spoken out.

On the 29th, the agency INB100 announced through an official statement, “We deeply apologize for causing confusion and concern among fans as the announcement regarding whether EXO-CBX would engage in full-group activities with EXO was delayed. Our company and EXO-CBX promised fans full-group activities as members of EXO and have been making every effort to fulfill this.”

The agency stated, “We would like to inform you of the progress made so far,” adding, “On July 9, 2025, we met with SM Entertainment and confirmed our initial intent to reach an agreement. We confirmed the direction and commitment to achieving full-group activities for EXO.”

According to the agency, on September 10, both parties shared specific agreement proposals and entered substantive discussions. After the second mediation session on October 2, EXO-CBX accepted all conditions proposed by SM for a year-end full-group comeback and clearly conveyed their intent to agree.

The EXO-CBX side stated, “We cleared all personal schedules for December to prioritize full-group activities and were awaiting SM’s final response through legal representatives. While making these efforts, we came across announcements about an EXO fan meeting and regular album release excluding EXO-CBX. We apologize for the delayed response as we sought to understand SM’s intentions regarding the agreement progress under unexpected circumstances,” and bowed in apology.

Additionally, the EXO-CBX side added, “The members have always valued the sincerity of fans who have supported them for so long and chose the path of agreement as they earnestly wished for full-group activities. Accordingly, we plan to finalize an agreement for full-group activities as soon as possible. We thank our fans for their continued trust and patience, and we will do our best to achieve positive results.”

Meanwhile, according to a recent report by Legal Newspaper, EXO-CBX lost several lawsuits against their former agency SM Entertainment, including cases related to non-provision of settlement data and unfair contracts, as the court dismissed the claims and ruled them without merit.

Additionally, EXO plans to hold a year-end fan meeting and release a new album with six members excluding EXO-CBX: Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay.

Full Text of INB100’s Official Statement

We deeply apologize for causing confusion and concern among fans as the announcement regarding whether EXO-CBX would engage in full-group activities with EXO was delayed.

INB100 and its artists Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (hereafter “EXO-CBX”) promised fans full-group activities as members of EXO and have been making every effort to fulfill this.

We would like to inform you of the progress made so far:

1. July 9, 2025 – Confirmed initial intent to agree with SM Entertainment (hereafter “SM”)

We met directly with SM and confirmed the direction and commitment to achieving full-group activities for EXO.

2. September 10, 2025 – Shared specific agreement proposals

Both parties exchanged concrete agreement details and entered substantive discussions.

3. Full acceptance of SM’s demands

After the second mediation session on October 2, EXO-CBX accepted all conditions proposed by SM for a year-end full-group comeback and clearly conveyed their intent to agree.

4. Prioritizing EXO activities by clearing December schedules

We cleared all personal schedules for December and were awaiting SM’s final response through legal representatives.

While making these efforts, we came across announcements about an EXO fan meeting and regular album release excluding EXO-CBX. We apologize for the delayed response as we sought to understand SM’s intentions regarding the agreement progress under unexpected circumstances.

The EXO-CBX members have always valued the sincerity of fans who have supported them for so long and chose the path of agreement as they earnestly wished for full-group activities.

Accordingly, we plan to finalize an agreement for full-group activities as soon as possible.

We thank our fans for their continued trust and patience, and we will do our best to achieve positive results. Please continue to support and encourage us.

INB100

Source: https://www.chosun.com/english…JN2JOCJBCUBKBPCPH4HCW5KQ/

EXO-CBX Members Commit to Full-Group Activities Amid SM Exclusion

EXO-CBX accepted SM's terms, cleared December schedules but excluded from fan meeting and album plans

The EXO-CBX side, Chen, Baekhyun, Seohyun, revealed their position regarding the full-group activities of the group EXO.

On the 29th, INB100, the agency of EXO-CBX, released a statement saying, “We deeply apologize for causing confusion and concern among fans due to the delay in announcing our stance on whether EXO-CBX will participate in EXO’s full-group activities.”

It added, “INB100 and its artists Chen, Baekhyun, and Seohyun, as members of EXO, have promised fans full-group activities and are making every effort to fulfill this.”

The agency stated that on July 9, it met directly with SM Entertainment to confirm the direction and commitment to an agreement on EXO’s full-group activities. Subsequently, on September 10, both sides exchanged specific terms and entered substantive negotiations.

The agency claimed, “After the second mediation deadline (October 2), to enable a full-group comeback by the end of the year, EXO-CBX accepted all conditions proposed by SM and clearly conveyed its intent to agree. They cleared all personal schedules for December and were awaiting SM’s final response through legal representatives.”

It continued, “While making such efforts for EXO’s full-group activities, we learned of the announcement regarding an EXO fan meeting and regular album release excluding EXO-CBX. We apologize for the delayed response as we sought to confirm SM’s intentions amid unexpected circumstances.”

The agency stated, “The EXO-CBX members valued the sincerity of fans who have supported them for so long and chose to pursue an agreement because they earnestly wished for EXO’s full-group activities. Accordingly, we plan to finalize an agreement for full-group activities as soon as possible.”

It added, “We thank fans for their continued trust and patience, and we will do our best to deliver good results. We kindly ask for your unwavering support and encouragement.”

EXO will hold a fan meeting titled ‘EXO’verse’ at the Incheon Inspire Arena on December 13 and 14. They are also set to release their regular 8th album in the first quarter of next year and begin full-scale activities.

This marks EXO’s first team activities in about two years since the release of their regular 7th album *EXIST* in 2023. SM Entertainment announced that Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and former SM member Lay will participate in this activity. Chen, Baekhyun, and Seohyun were not included in this list.

Source: https://www.chosun.com/english…GQGPNF2FARBILGSBB6BBRDG4/

ExoLTaglist

Quote from qamar-atti

I am confused as hell, So does it mean they will be participating in comeback or they are saying they want to & leaving it on SM to include them or not???🤔🤔

uncertain I think

I guess what I think they are saying is we, CBX are ready to join the EXO comeback and the ball is now in SM Entertainment's court????

UPDATE from SME

SM Entertainment Refutes EXO-CBX's Distorted Claims on Full-Group Activities

Company disputes members' agreement efforts, cites unmet 10% payment obligation ahead of December activities

EXO-CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin) stated that they had “made efforts for the group EXO’s full-group activities,” but SM Entertainment has refuted this, calling it a “distorted announcement.”

On the 29th, SM Entertainment released a statement: “The company has clearly informed the three members (EXO-CBX) that resolving the dispute and team activities are separate issues.”

It added, “Regarding the dispute resolution, the company had prevailed in all previous disputes. The only demand made to the three members was to pay 10% of the personal activity revenue as stipulated in the June 18, 2023 agreement. However, this has yet to be fulfilled.”

SM explained, “The issue of participating in team activities required sincere efforts from the three members to rebuild trust and fulfill the existing agreement, as the numerous disputes had severely damaged trust between both parties and caused significant harm to the EXO team and its fans.”

The company further stated, “Contrary to the three members’ claim that they accepted all conditions proposed by the company after the second mediation session on October 2nd and clearly expressed their intent to reach an agreement, they filed an objection on the 16th. The company deeply regrets today’s announcement by the three members, which distorts these circumstances.”

Finally, SM added, “The company will do its utmost to support and prepare for EXO’s activities starting in December.”

This comes after EXO-CBX released a statement regarding their exclusion from EXO’s full-group activities. Their agency, INB100, claimed, “INB100 and its artists Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin promised fans full-group activities as EXO members and have made every effort to fulfill this.”

It continued, “After the second mediation session on October 2nd, EXO-CBX accepted all conditions proposed by SM to prepare for EXO’s full-group comeback by year-end and clearly communicated their intent to reach an agreement. They cleared their personal schedules for December and awaited SM’s final response through legal representatives.”

The agency argued, “While making such efforts for full-group activities, they learned of the announcement regarding an EXO fan meeting and regular album release excluding EXO-CBX. The members valued the sincerity of fans they have been with for a long time and chose to pursue an agreement because they earnestly hoped for full-group activities. Accordingly, they plan to finalize an agreement for full-group activities as soon as possible.”

Earlier, on the 2nd, the 15th Civil Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court (Presiding Judge Jo Yong-rae) held the second mediation session for the contract enforcement and settlement money claim lawsuits filed by both SM and EXO-CBX. However, the parties failed to reach an agreement, following the breakdown of the first mediation session on the 23rd of last month.

EXO-CBX notified SM of the termination of their exclusive contract in 2023, citing reasons such as SM’s failure to properly provide revenue settlement data, and filed a complaint with the Korea Fair Trade Commission. Although both parties agreed to maintain the exclusive contract, with the three members independently pursuing personal activities under their new agency INB100, SM later filed a lawsuit against EXO-CBX, claiming the 10% payment obligation for personal activities was not honored.

Meanwhile, the fan meeting ‘EXO’verse’ will be held at the Incheon Inspire Arena on December 13th and 14th. Additionally, the group is set to release their 8th regular album in the first quarter of next year and begin full-scale activities.

Source: https://www.chosun.com/english…7XZ2JCXVANJPPUI2L76M5LT4/

UPDATE FROM CBX

EXO-CBX Rebuts SM, Pledges 10% Payment for Full-Group Activities

Agency INB100 states commitment to honoring agreement, restoring trust amid ongoing litigation over revenue disputes

[OSEN=Reporter Kim Chaeyeon] EXO-CBX has refuted SM’s stance and demonstrated its commitment to engaging in full-group activities.

On the morning of the 30th, INB100, the agency representing EXO-CBX, stated, “This is INB100’s response to SM Entertainment’s official statement,” and rebutted SM’s position.

That day, EXO-CBX clarified, “EXO-CBX remains unwavering in its intention to pay 10% of individual activity sales revenue as stipulated in the existing agreement. Given that litigation is ongoing, we plan to fulfill this obligation once legal procedures conclude following a mutual settlement.”

Earlier, the day before, SM had stated that the reason EXO-CBX and EXO could not engage in full-group activities was, “The excessive number of disputes has severely damaged trust between both parties. Moreover, the harm caused to the EXO team, as well as the wounds inflicted on fans and members, necessitate that the three members (EXO-CBX) first make sincere efforts to restore trust and fulfill the existing agreement.”

In response, EXO-CBX emphasized, “All negotiations were conducted with the premise of ‘EXO’s full-group activities.’ EXO-CBX has clearly expressed its intent to honor the existing agreement, maintained direct communication with members, and strived to participate as part of the team.”

Regarding SM’s claim that “the three members (EXO-CBX) initially filed an objection on the 16th, contrary to their earlier acceptance of all conditions proposed by SM after the second mediation session on October 2,” EXO-CBX explained, “EXO-CBX conveyed its intention to pay 10% of individual activity sales revenue to SM before and after the court’s mediation session and was awaiting a final response. However, the amount proposed by the mediator on October 2 was an arbitrary figure unrelated to the mutual agreement, which both parties rejected on-site during the mediation session. After this amount was formally delivered in writing, both parties filed objections on October 16. This was a standard procedural step, and the claim that EXO-CBX lacks settlement intent is false.”

EXO-CBX added, “We sincerely apologize to fans who may have felt confusion or concern during the legal process with SM. EXO-CBX will diligently fulfill the existing agreement and make every effort to restore trust with members and reach a amicable resolution with SM.”

Meanwhile, a recently announced group fan meeting for EXO revealed that six members—Seohun, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Xiumin, and Lay—will participate in the year-end fan meeting and new album, excluding EXO-CBX.

EXO-CBX, which has been in dispute with SM, is not participating in the full-group activities. The agency claimed that SM had announced EXO activities excluding EXO-CBX despite the trio accepting all conditions proposed by SM for a year-end comeback.

In response, SM firmly stated, “SM has prevailed in all disputes thus far. The sole demand made to the three members (EXO-CBX) was to pay 10% of individual activity sales revenue as stipulated in the existing agreement, which remains unfulfilled. Additionally, participation in team activities is contingent on the three members first making sincere efforts to restore trust, as the numerous disputes have severely damaged trust between both parties and caused significant harm to EXO, its fans, and members.”

Below is the full official statement from INB100

This is INB100’s response to SM Entertainment’s (hereinafter SM) official statement.

SM’s Official Statement 1)

“SM’s sole demand to the three members (EXO-CBX) was to pay 10% of individual activity sales revenue as stipulated in the agreement dated June 18, 2023. However, this has not yet been fulfilled.”

→ EXO-CBX remains unwavering in its intention to pay 10% of sales revenue. Given that litigation is ongoing, we plan to fulfill this obligation once legal procedures conclude following a mutual settlement.

SM’s Official Statement 2)

“The issue of participating in team activities cannot proceed because the excessive number of disputes has severely damaged trust between both parties. The harm caused to EXO, as well as the wounds inflicted on fans and members, necessitate that the three members (EXO-CBX) first make sincere efforts to restore trust and fulfill the existing agreement.”

→ All negotiations were conducted with the premise of ‘EXO’s full-group activities.’ EXO-CBX has clearly expressed its intent to honor the existing agreement, maintained direct communication with members, and strived to participate as part of the team.

SM’s Official Statement 3)

“Contrary to the three members’ (EXO-CBX) claim of accepting all conditions proposed by SM after the second mediation session on October 2, they were the first to file an objection on the 16th.”

→ EXO-CBX conveyed its intention to pay 10% of individual activity sales revenue to SM before and after the court’s mediation session and was awaiting a final response. However, the amount proposed by the mediator on October 2 was an arbitrary figure unrelated to the mutual agreement, which both parties rejected on-site during the mediation session. After this amount was formally delivered in writing, both parties filed objections on October 16. This was a standard procedural step, and the claim that EXO-CBX lacks settlement intent is false.

We sincerely apologize to fans who may have felt confusion or concern during the legal process with SM.

EXO-CBX will diligently fulfill the existing agreement and make every effort to restore trust with members and reach a amicable resolution with SM.

Thank you.

Source: https://www.chosun.com/english…JU7DLVMBHADGCVM7D3LRQPMU/

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updates from SME and IN100 at paragraphs 30 and 31 above

Quote from kahei

After NewJeans I may consider reading this yes..

any shitshow that hybe can do

SME can do better!!!

Quote from Exo_bunnie

This is like a messy divorce. First you sling mud at each other then you resort to communicating through media. And the other members are the innocent children. Don’t get me wrong, at least the fans know what is happening but the relationship will be so awkward moving forward.

I don't think there would be considering this is a battle between cbx and SME but there's no issue between the members themselves right?

Quote from ISaidISaid

Lbr will you be ok if some conflict between your team mates and your company stopped you from doing your work or affects your brand even if that’s not their intention?

I would be. I think it’s naive to think EXO relationship is perfect at least.

I guess what I'm asking since I'm not deeply knowledgeable about EXO that is there any outward signs?

like have the CBX and/or other EXO members interacted with one another post lawsuit for example???