After long years of staying at SM Entertainment, the EXO members may have found a home in different agencies since last year. The members slowly made their way to leave the entertainment agency, and only half of them remained with SM. This sparks the question if they will remain as an eight-member boy band, despite being on numerous labels. While we sit and think about the future of EXO, SM Entertainment, and the members have the answer, and let’s also check out their respective agencies where they transferred.
SM Entertainment Addresses EXO’s Group Activities
We are one will always be the foundation of the group. SM Entertainment shared a statement to Maeil Kyungjae media outlet that EXO will continue their group activities as an eight-member boy band. The different companies would not be a hindrance for the members to promote as a whole, release new music, and meet their fans, EXO-Ls, now and then. Moreover, an April fan meeting is set to happen this year, where members can happily see and meet their longtime fans.
안녕하세요, SM 엔터테인먼트입니다.
향후 엑소(EXO)의 활동 방향에 대해 안내드리고자 합니다.앞으로도 엑소는 8명 모든 멤버가 함께 엑소로서 활동을 이어나갈 것이며, 새로운 음악과 무대를 선보임은 물론 4월 예정된 엑소 팬미팅 등 여러 활동을 통해, 변함없이 팬 여러분과 만날 계획입니다.…
— EXO (@weareoneEXO) January 7, 2024
Last year, the members were entangled in numerous issues about contract expiration and renewal, and lawsuits. We can still remember how the group’s leader, Suho, reassured fans that EXO will remain. In a message he left in Bubble last October 2023, fans couldn’t help but feel lucky and confident with Suho’s leadership. “Don’t worry about EXO’s activities. Suho will take care of it,” he wrote. By these words, it was easier for EXO-Ls to believe that Suho probably worked it all out with members and SM Entertainment for them to remain forever.
- For the fans, we’re pretty sure it is a huge relief to know that the members stayed with each other through pursuing eight-member group activities while juggling their solo careers. It’s also a nice sight how agencies are flexible in letting their artists venture into a different path while maintaining the group’s future ahead.
Where Did The Members Transfer To?
According to SM Entertainment’s latest statement, all EXO members renewed with the agency last December 2022, except for D.O. SM did confirm that despite Kyung Soo’s contract expiration, he will still work in EXO’s activities. Meanwhile, CBX will be independent with their solo careers, while keeping their group contract with SM.
🎤🌃✨#EXO #엑소 #weareoneEXO#EXIST #EXO_EXIST#CreamSoda #EXO_CreamSoda#더시즌즈 #최정훈의밤의공원 pic.twitter.com/uwB5NTtyzF
— EXO (@weareoneEXO) July 15, 2023
In mid-2023, CBX unit, Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment, due to lack of payment transparency and unreasonable long contracts. It became a hot topic and the reason why the disbandment rumor again came to life. This had been settled between the two parties, where CBX stayed at SM and EXO.
Sometime during the lawsuit, Baekhyun was reported to have created an independent agency. Earlier today, the trio, Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin reportedly will begin their solo ventures on his label, I&B100. Their solo careers and unit (CBX) activities will be managed by Baekhyun’s agency, while their group schedules will be handled by SM. The official SNS of I&B100 is out, and so are the solo accounts of CBX, so make sure to follow to stay updated with the upcoming schedules of the trio.
INB100 OFFICIAL CHANNEL OPEN🎉
🔗Homepage : https://t.co/aB5AAyCPc9
🔗X : https://t.co/17yVa3ZeTV
🔗Instagram : https://t.co/PbJVF0rLDt
🔗YouTube : https://t.co/ufAAMkyApP#INB100 #아이앤비100 pic.twitter.com/ZIfj0WFYau— INB100_official (@INB100_official) January 8, 2024
On the other hand, D.O. left SM late last year to transfer to a new label formed by SM’s former manager, whom he had been working with since his debut. So far, Kyung Soo remains the only artist of the Company SooSoo. The newly established agency will handle his solo and acting activities while working with SM regarding group schedules.
Other members, Suho, Kai, Chanyeol, and Sehun stayed with SM. Last October 2023, rumors popped out that EXO-SC, Sehun and Chanyeol, will reportedly leave SM to sign with a new agency. SM Entertainment was quick to deny the rumors, saying that the contracts made last 2022 are still valid. Is everyone excited about any upcoming group schedules for the third-generation boy band? We are!
