Recent Weibo rumors state Yixing to leave SM

Can't say I'd be surprised.

This was obvious

There's no reason for him to stay in SM

not surprising

I think he achieved what he wanted.

But he is an asset in Exo imo so its also sad.

Not suprised

Still calling him an Exo member at this point is ridiculous. In 5+ years he never came back to promote with Exo. He probably didn't want to go through a lawsuit to leave SM so they made a comprise, he doesn't have to participate in Exo activities and can work in China on his own, but SM still makes a profit off those activities.

WBK

lay doesnt need sm. its sm that needs him so good for him to leave and be his own boss.

Quote from yoyo281

Still calling him an Exo member at this point is ridiculous. In 5+ years he never came back to promote with Exo. He probably didn't want to go through a lawsuit to leave SM so they made a comprise, he doesn't have to participate in Exo activities and can work in China on his own, but SM still makes a profit off those activities.

He participated in the latest cb but could not leave china bc of covid.

He’s fond of his exo band members too

Wbk

There’s no surprises here. He has built a successful and thriving career in China and was seeing out the original contract.

SM has demonstrated repeatedly that it does not understand how the Chinese entertainment industry works, so yeah, he would not resign.

I am happy that he is successful and well, although of course I miss him in EXO. I’m so happy at the wonderful surprise to have him back on DFTF. I am hopeful we get one final farewell for the 10th anniversary celebrations, but if we don’t, I’m happy we got to see and hear him with EXO one final time.

I'm more shocked he's not out of SM already tbh but I know contracts and all

Quote from Millano

He participated in the latest cb but could not leave china bc of covid.

He’s fond of his exo band members too

Even without COVID he wasn't there. He had plenty of chances to come back and promote with the group but he didn't. You can be fond of your members but want to build your own career as well. I have nothing against Lay and wish him the best but he's basically been absent from the group since 2016.

Quote from Kireta

lay doesnt need sm. its sm that needs him so good for him to leave and be his own boss.

can he leave SM but still be like part of EXO?

sorta like a SNSD situation?

Quote from selfmate

can he leave SM but still be like part of EXO?

sorta like a SNSD situation?

It’s entirely possible. Lay has always talked about the members and how much he loves them so he might chose to go that route. But you never know right. Hopefully the contract negotiations go well and he can leave sm but still be a part of exo

So it means that EXO members' contracts finally end this year?

Quote from ObsessedWithKpop

So it means that EXO members' contracts finally end this year?

Only Kai and Sehun’s. For others it would be extended a bit more(a year or so) because your contracts freeze when you go to the military.

He didn’t actively promote with EXO a lot since I joined in 2016. So I don’t have much attachment. But his relationship with the exo’s was always admirable so I wish him well and hope they can always stay friends.