EXO-CBX members Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin have had assets worth a total of 2.6 bn Korean won provisionally seized by SM Entertainment as part of an ongoing legal dispute over contracts and individual activity payments.
The seizure, carried out over two days on February 9 and 10, covers Chen’s housing deposit receivables, Baekhyun’s apartment in Acheon-dong, Guri City, and Xiumin’s apartment in Hannam-dong, Seoul. SM claims 300 mln won from Chen, 1.6 bn from Baekhyun and 700 mln from Xiumin. The measure prevents the trio from disposing of these assets and preserves claims tied to 10% of individual activity sales under a June 2023 agreement.
Background of the Dispute
In June last year, the trio sought to terminate their exclusive contracts with SM, citing unfairly long terms and opaque settlements. SM denied the claims, stating that the contracts had been legally validated by the Supreme Court and were renewed with full discussion and legal guidance. A compromise was reached allowing EXO group activities to continue under SM while individual and unit projects proceeded under the independent label INB100, with 10% of earnings paid to SM.
The conflict intensified after a leaked recording and INB100’s connection to MC Mong’s subsidiary, raising suspicions of tampering. EXO-CBX argued SM failed to guarantee a 5.5% distribution fee for their albums, refusing to pay the agreed 10% of individual activity sales. Fraud complaints filed by the trio against SM executives were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
Recent Mediation and Team Activity Issues
Disputes resurfaced in October over EXO-CBX’s participation in full-group EXO activities. Although the trio reportedly accepted SM’s proposed conditions, the company demanded unpaid individual activity earnings first, citing breakdowns in trust and damages to the group and fans.
Meanwhile, EXO has continued its activities despite the dispute. The group held the fan meeting ‘EXO’verse’ in December 2025, released their eighth album ‘REVERXE’ in January, and will hold ‘EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon in SEOUL’ at KSPO Dome from April 10–12, featuring the comeback single ‘Crown’.
Kursiv also reports that Cha Eun Woo, one of South Korea’s most prominent entertainers, broke his silence on January 26 regarding allegations that he owes more than 20 bn won ($14 mln) in additional income taxes.
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