From XOXO to E-X-NO

The fame, the good looks, and the worldwide fanbase. The Korean pop group EXO
has really bloomed and stood out among other K-pop idols. Formed by SM Entertainment,
one of South Koreas largest talent agencies, this boy group is surely and unsurprisingly
remarkable. Since their debut in 2012, theyve had the most anticipated comebacks and
song albums at the top charts. But at the peak of their fame came a sudden downfall which
shook the K-pop world.
On May 15, 2014, Wu Yi Fan, widely known as Kris, filed a lawsuit against SM
Entertainment to terminate his contract with the agency. The said EXO-M member had
accused the company of depriving him freedom in making career decisions. He allegedly
stated that he was being treated more like an object rather than being respected as an artist
as the company decides on his schedules without taking into consideration his health
condition.
Kris sudden action received mixed reactions from the netizens. While most fans
sympathized with him, some speculated that there might have been an argument within the
group as implied from a statement given by his co-member Suho that Kris was rather being
selfish in deciding to leave EXO while they were still on their preparation for their concerts.
While the fanbase and EXO itself barely recovered from the strong blow coming from
the said incident, another similar issue emerged. Just after five months, Luhan, another
EXO-M member, brought legal charges against the entertainment company to nullify his
contract. Luhan claimed that there was discrimination against the Chinese members in EXO
regarding guest appearances in TV shows and movies, whereas the Korean members had
more privileges. Nevertheless, people suspected that there might be other reasons for Kris
and Luhans departure from the group.
Fans thought the primary reason is the infamous slave contract. Slave contracts are
made between an artist and an entertainment company, stating that the artist becomes
indebted to the company after the agency spends money for his/her training and promotion.

But, here comes the twist: the artist does not know how much he/she owes the company,
and he/she doesnt also have information about how much he/she earns. Therefore, the
artist does not even have the slightest idea of how long or how much he/she has to work for
the company. Chinese media outlet Sohu Entertainment, on the other hand, released a very
different analysis of the two cases. According to Sohu, the two former EXO members motive
for filing a lawsuit was not because of their health issues, but rather to improve their acting
and singing careers outside their talent agency.
Despite not having the cases settled yet, Kris and Luhan began to work on projects
that werent under SM Entertainment. Sohu believes that the two members have been
contacting other Chinese talent agencies and have been making use of their connections to
get project offers even before they sued the company. Sohu even argues that fans were
brainwashed of SM Entertainments unfair treatment. After the shocking news of Kris leaving
the group, fans blamed it on how the talent agency turned down film offers for Yi Fan, how
his face wasnt shown on television broadcasts, and so on. Similarly, they also posted
pictures in their blogs, showing how SM forced Luhan to attend concerts while ill.
Luhan and Kris sought the same lawyer, who handled and represented a similar case
of Hangeng, a former SM Entertainment idol. Sohu suspected that Kris used the quick
escape approach since he had to film Xu Jingleis movie and SM did not let him go, causing
Kris to make this unwise decision while Luhan, learning from the mistake of Kris, waited
longer.
As of now, the cases of Kris and Luhan are still unsettled. The two former members
are continuing on with their solo activities in China, while the remaining EXO members are
rumored to have a comeback later in this year. As there remains no clear resolution for the
issue at hand, the fans continue to support Kris and Luhan, and those who remain in the
talent agency.
Works Cited
ockoala. (2014, October 9). Luhan of EXO files same lawsuit as former member Kris to
nullify contract with SM Entertainment [Web log comment]. Retrieved from

http://koalasplayground.com/2014/10/09/luhan-of-exo-files-same-lawsuit-as-formermember-kris-to-nullify-contract-with-sm-entertainment/

napthesoul. (2014, October 14). Sohu analyses and compares Luhans and Kris lawsuits.
Retrieved from http://www.hellokpop.com/featured/readysohus-analysis-luhan-krislawsuits-reasons-influences-comparisons/

Seigel, Melissa. (2014, December 18). Luhan, Kris Wu, moving on from EXO! K-pop group
announces Exology album and Winters Tale single as lawsuit heats up. Retrieved
from http://www.hollywoodtake.com/luhan-kris-wu-moving-exo-k-pop-groupannounces-exology-album-and-winters-tale-single-66180

Staff Writer. (2014, November 28). Luhan claims SM treated EXOs Korean members
differently than Chinese members; Two parties to enter a court-referred mediation.
Retrieved

from

http://www.vcpost.com/articles/33273/20141128/luhan-claims-sm-

treated-exo-korean-members-differently-than-chinese-members-two-parties-to-entera-court-referred-mediation.htm