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In the latest development of an ongoing K-pop contract dispute, SM Entertainment released a firm statement on October 29, 2025, directly refuting recent public claims made by EXO members Chen, EXO BaekHyun, and EXO XiuMin, also known as EXO-CBX. The agency expressed regret over the members’ statements and clarified its position regarding a settlement agreement signed in 2023, aiming to provide transparency amid the escalating situation.
The Core of the EXO-CBX Dispute: The Settlement Agreement
The heart of the conflict lies in a settlement agreement signed on June 18, 2023, between SM Entertainment and the three members: Byun Baekhyun (EXO BaekHyun), Kim Jongdae (Chen), and Kim Minseok (EXO XiuMin). According to the agency, this agreement stipulated that the members would pay SM Entertainment 10% of the revenue generated from their individual activities. This clause was a central point of the resolution that concluded a very public disagreement at the time, which was among the Top News This Week (3rd Week Of June 2023). However, SM Entertainment now alleges that the three members have since failed to fulfill this critical payment obligation.
Escalating Tensions and Conflicting Actions
SM Entertainment’s statement highlights what it describes as contradictory actions from the members’ side, which has added a new layer of complexity to the EXO-CBX dispute.
Mediation and Subsequent Objections
A second mediation hearing was held between the two parties on October 2, 2025, in an attempt to find a resolution. SM Entertainment claims that following this hearing, the members’ representatives publicly asserted that they had agreed to the agency’s terms. This narrative was sharply contradicted on October 16, 2025, when the members’ side filed a formal objection. This legal maneuver, according to SM Entertainment, directly opposes their prior public statements and undermines the mediation process.
SM Entertainment’s Public Rebuttal
In response to a public statement issued by the EXO-CBX side on October 29, 2025, SM Entertainment felt compelled to issue its own detailed rebuttal. The agency’s purpose was to clarify the facts from its perspective and counter the narrative being presented by Chen, EXO BaekHyun, and EXO XiuMin. The company expressed deep regret that the matter had once again become a public spectacle, stressing that it had aimed to resolve the issue privately.
Reassurances for EXO Fans
Despite the ongoing legal and public disagreements with the EXO-CBX members, SM Entertainment made a point to reassure fans about the group’s future. The agency stated its firm commitment to upcoming activities for the group EXO as a whole. This assurance aims to separate the individual K-pop contract dispute from the collective future of the popular group, promising that group promotions will continue for the benefit of their dedicated fanbase worldwide.
This brief was automatically generated from official updates. For in-depth coverage, visit our Trends section.
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