Will K-pop band EXO make a comeback? EXO-CBX settles unfair treatment lawsuit with SM Entertainment

2023-06-19 13:57

SM Entertainment announced that EXO sub-unit CBX has finally resolved its conflict with the company and called it a 'misunderstanding'

SEOUL, KOREA: EXO’s popular sub-unit EXO-CBX has reportedly resolved its conflict with its management company SM Entertainment. The three members had called the company out for treating their artists unfairly, but it seems like the two parties have reached a settlement, keeping in mind the band's demands.

EXO will now be moving ahead with their comeback, scheduled for July. They have started their promotions for the same and have released the first single as well.

Settlement between SM and EXO-CBX

EXO-CBX, which consists of the EXO vocalists Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin, first filed a lawsuit against SM on June 1, 2023. The lawsuit was to terminate their contracts with the company based on SM’s refusal to share payment settlement details along with unfairly making artists sign extended contracts that spanned 18 to 20 years. CBX also filed a complaint against SM with the Fair Trade Commission against SM.

On June 19, SM announced that the company had resolved the conflict after open discussions with the artists. SM’s joint statement also mentioned, “We decided to cheer and support each artist so that they can fully demonstrate their individuality and promote in a new way." “We initially received a report that a third outside force was approaching with unreasonable intentions, but through this discussion, we learned that there was a misunderstanding,” the statement said, referring to their previous response to the lawsuit.

Finally, the company issued an apology that said, “We apologize to the fans, EXO members except for the 3, and those who believed in and waited for EXO. We will do our best to repay the support of many people who supported us.”

EXO set to make a group comeback in July

EXO will be making their comeback in July with the release of their seventh album titled ‘EXIST’. The album is set to release on July 10, 2023, with promotional content to be sent out over the next couple of weeks.

The group already released their single ‘Let Me In’ on June 12, 2023. All eight members of the group, including Kai, who is currently enlisted for his mandatory military service, will be a part of this comeback.