Tinuldukan na ng EXO-CBX unit members na sina Chen, Baekhyun, at Xiumin ang kanilang kontrata sa kinabibilangang music label, ang SM Entertainment.
Ayon sa ulat ng South Korean media portal na Soompi.com nitong Huwebes, June 1, 2023, ipinaabot ng abogado nina Chen, Baekhyun, at Xiumin na si Lee Jae-hak sa SM Entertainment ang desisyon nilang i-terminate na ang kanilang exclusive contracts.
Sa nasabing pahayag, nakasaad na nakaranas ang tatlong EXO members ng "mistreatment" at "unfair contract terms" sa SM Entertainment.
Kabilang na rito ang umano'y hindi pagbibigay sa kanila ng transparent settlement reports ng kanilang mga kinita magmula nang sila ay mag-debut noong 2012.
Ito'y kahit makailang beses na nila itong ni-request sa music label.
Mababasa sa opisyal na pahayag ng abogadong si Jae-hak: "Previously, the artists sent certifications of contents to SM seven times through their legal representative from March 21 until recently, and through this, they repeatedly requested copies of transparent settlement reports and settlement grounds.
"It is the bare minimum and legitimate right of the artists to request accurate and transparent basis for settlements that have not been clear until now, and SM is also obliged to comply in accordance with the exclusive contracts and the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act.
"However, SM eventually maintained an unjust position stating that they cannot provide copies of the reports."
Pinuwersa rin daw ng SM Entertainment ang tatlo na i-extend ang kanilang management contract—originally ay 12 to 13 years lang ang nauna nilang kontrata ngunit dahil sa pamimilit sa kanila ay naging 17 to 18 years na ito.
"In addition, after SM signed long-term contracts with the artists that span over 12 to 13 years in the past, they pushed for the artists to sign subsequent exclusive contracts once again, resulting in long-term contracts that span over at least 17 to 18 years or more. SM has been repeatedly committing unjust use of power such as this.
"Regarding this, the artists feel that SM is using their superior position to force artists to sign so-called slave contracts that span over almost 20 years including their training periods, which are also far from being short."
SM ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES STATEMENT
Agad pinabulaanan ng SM Entertainment ang alegasyon nina Chen, Baekhyun, at Xiumin.
Base sa inilabas nilang official statement, sinabi ritong walang katotohanan ang mga paratang sa kanila ng tatlo.
Ito ang kabuuan ng official statement ng SM Entertainment (na isinalin sa English ng online news site na Allkpop):
"During this important time when we are channeling our efforts into a new phase of SM Entertainment, we have confirmed the presence of outside forces approaching our agency's artists, providing them with false information, false court documents, and irrational offers, such as convincing them that there would be no legal repercussions if the artists chose to sign contracts with other agencies while still bound to SM Entertainment.
"Despite a complete lack of genuine thoughtfulness toward the artists, these outside forces are using groundless rumors, libel and slander, and sweet talk to coerce our artists into violating their exclusive contracts or signing multiple contracts, engaging in clearly illegal activities.
"Furthermore, these outside forces are not stopping at simply enticing one or two artists into violating their contracts, they are using the artists they have made contact with to tap even more of our agency's artists.
"We will not stand by idly and watch while forces with no interest in ensuring the future of our artists, or making sure of their fair legal rights, chase after their greed for money; we will pursue all possible legal action.
"If we do not act now, the tyrannical activities of these outside forces will significantly damage our artists' brand and image, and inflict negative influence on our artists' bright futures."
Big Planet Made Releases Statement In Response To SM Entertainment’s CLAIM
Mariin ding itinanggi ng South Korean entertainment company na Big Planet Made (BPM) na sa kanilang kumpanya lilipat sina Chen, Baekhyun, at Xiumin.
Ayon sa ulat ng Ilgan Sports, nagpadala raw ang SM Entertainment ng "certified notice" sa BPM partikular na sa internal director nitong si MC Mong nang makarating sa kanila ang impormasyong diumano ay nakipagkita at kinausap nito ang tatlong EXO member.
Narito ang kanilang pahayag:
"Hello. This is Big Planet Made. We are here to tell you the truth that is different from the press content about our company released today (June 1).
"Firstly, Big Planet Made has never met the artists that were mentioned, and we have never exchanged any opinion or discussion about exclusive contracts.
"Secondly, MC Mong (Shin Dong Hyun) is not our company’s internal director currently; neither is he concerned with any position, job, or operations of our company.
"Third, it is true that we have received a certification of contents (a demands letter) under the name of SM Entertainment’s CEO. Whatever their intentions are for linking our unrelated company to their internal contract situations, we express our regret regarding it and will take strong legal action should their claims continue."
EXO-CBX MESSAGES TO THEIR FANS
Samantala, nagbigay rin ng mensahe ang EXO-CBX sa kanilang fans.
Kalakip nito ang paghingi nila ng paumanhin at pag-unawa sa lahat ng fans na ngayon ay nag-aalala sa kanila.
Nangako rin ang tatlo na gagawin nila ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya upang maayos ang gusot sa pagitan nila at ng kanilang dating music label.
Anila, "We apologize for causing great concern to fans through this issue, and there is no way to fully express our apology.
"Although legal action is inevitable due to a difference in our position with SM, we will do our best to find a wise way to resolve this dispute so that we do not cause fans too much concern.
"As we try to speak up with our small voices regarding the unfairness we couldn’t speak of until now, we are actually very frightened and fearful of this moment right now.
"We hope that you take interest in what we are saying as well as our difficult courage. We once again sincerely thank our fans who have supported us for a long time."