The Legal Showdown: EXO-CBX vs. SM
The drama between EXO-CBX—Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen—and SM Entertainment just got even more intense. The trio’s messy contract dispute went into official mediation, but round one didn’t stick the landing.
What Went Down in Court
On May 23, Seoul Eastern District Court hosted the first mediation hearing between SM and EXO-CBX regarding two lawsuits: one over earnings settlement and another over contract enforcement. But the session ended with both sides walking away without a resolution.
The Backstory: Broken Trust and New Beginnings
In 2023, EXO-CBX accused SM of withholding proper financial records and attempted to terminate their exclusive contracts. While things cooled temporarily with a compromise—keeping their group ties with SM intact while allowing solo careers under their independently managed label, INB100—the peace didn’t last long.
According to SM, the new arrangement included a promise: 10% of profits from the members’ INB100 solo activities would be paid to SM. But SM now claims that promise was ignored. And so, more lawsuits. Fun times.
Round Two Approaches
Next up? Mediation round two, scheduled for June 2. Whether that’ll bring a breakthrough or another dramatic flop is anyone’s guess—but fans and legal watchers alike will be tuning in.
What This Means for Fans
For EXO-Ls, this legal limbo is tough to watch. While group activities remain under SM, each member’s solo dreams are a bit tangled in red tape. Still, all three idols remain active—and vocal about wanting creative freedom and fairness.
“We’re not trying to break ties,” Baekhyun previously said, “We just want transparency.”
Stay Tuned
This may not be a K-drama, but it’s got all the suspense. Between court hearings and contract tension, the EXO-CBX vs. SM saga is far from over.
