On the afternoon of October 29, the INB100 management company of the three idols Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (called CBX) announced that CBX was removed from the upcoming comeback of the EXO group by SM Entertainment, including the album release and promotion process.
According to INB100, after the 3 CBX idols sued SM to terminate the contract (June 2023), on July 9, 2025, they confirmed their first agreement with SM. The two sides discussed the direction and purpose of EXO's full group activities.
After the second consultation (October 2), CBX clearly communicated its intention to reach an agreement, accepting all the conditions that SM offered, so that EXO can return with a complete 8-member lineup by the end of the year.
Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin themselves also rearranged their personal schedules to prioritize EXO's group activities in December.
But while waiting for a response, CBX was surprised to see SM announce that they would organize a fan-meeting and release an album for EXO without CBX, instead with the participation of the Chinese member who left the company - Lay (Truong Nghe Hung).
Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin expressed that they chose the negotiation path because they valued the sincerity of fans more than anything else, and were eagerly hoping to participate in EXO's full group promotion activities. But SM quickly dropped the three members without any notice.
However, that same evening, SM Entertainment responded to Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin and INB100.
SM stated, "We have made it clear to CBX that the agreement to terminate the contract dispute and the group activities are separate issues.
Up to now, we have won all disputes with CBX. Our only requirement is that they must pay 10% of their individual operating revenue according to the agreement effective from June 18, 2023. However, this has not been done.
Furthermore, the prolonged dispute caused a rift in trust between the two sides, and caused damage to EXO as well as the group's fans. Therefore, they must first fulfill the agreement and make sincere efforts to restore trust.
SM stated: The three members assertion that they accept all conditions after the second mediation on October 2 was untrue. They actually filed a complaint on October 16".
Finally, SM concluded: We will wholeheartedly support and make every effort for EXOs activities this December.
