Chen Baek's INB100 enters an all-out war with SM... EXO’s entire group activities ‘shake again’

INB100, the agency of EXO's unit group Chen Baeksi (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin), appears to be in an all-out war with SM Entertainment (SM) by holding an emergency press conference. Accordingly, the possibility of EXO's future activities as a complete group is also greatly shaken.

Chen Baek Shi's agency, INB100, announced the holding of an emergency press conference on the 10th and said, "In June of last year, EXO Chen Baek Shi successfully completed legal action, including termination of the exclusive contract and filing a complaint with the Fair Trade Commission, through a joint statement with SM Entertainment."

He explained, "At the time, both sides believed that EXO's normal activities were more important than anything else, so they resolved the situation through negotiations. According to the agreement at the time, activities under the artist's individual name and as EXO's CBX would be carried out by establishing INB100." .

The issue that INB100 took issue with by holding this press conference was SM's request for a 10% settlement of Chenbaeksi's personal activity sales.

INB100 said, “SM is in a situation where it is ignoring the contents of the negotiation that became the premise of the agreement and is demanding that INB100, Chenbaeksi’s agency, give ‘10% of the sales of the artist’s individual activities.’” INB100 sent proof of the unfairness, but “SM Entertainment has not responded for over two months, so we plan to report SM Entertainment’s unfair treatment through a press conference.”

The music industry believes that INB100's announcement of an emergency press conference on the same day, saying, "We will report SM," is a declaration of all-out war against SM. As INB100 expressed dissatisfaction with SM's request to share profits from personal activities, the detailed contractual relationship and agreements at the time of transfer are expected to become an important issue. In particular, since the transfer was done by agreement rather than the expiration of the exclusive contract, the process is interpreted to have not been simple.

At the time, SM said about Chenbaeksi's individual activities through INB100, "The new exclusive contract with the three members is still valid," and added, "We cannot disclose specific settlement conditions, but according to the agreement with the company, individual activities by the three members of Chen Baeksi are also possible. “I let him do it,” he told Ten Asia.

However, as INB100 rebelled against SM's position, conflict between the two sides seemed inevitable, and difficulties were predicted for EXO's future activities. EXO has been on a hiatus since the release of their 7th full-length album 'EXIST' in July last year. If this fight is prolonged, it is difficult to expect EXO's comeback activities for the time being. In the worst case, the possibility of the three members of Chenbaeksi leaving or disbanding is also mentioned.

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr