SM vs EXO CBX: Trust, Contracts, and the Future of EXO’s Complete Comeback
The Legal Battle That Split EXO members
EXO has once again become a focal point of the K-pop industry. Following SM Entertainment’s announcement of EXO’s year-end comeback plans without Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (collectively known as CBX), the trio’s agency INB100 released a statement expressing their desire to participate in EXO’s group activities. Now, all eyes are on the members and their fandom — the key players who will ultimately determine whether EXO’s next chapter will be “complete” or “divided.”
As one of the groups that pioneered K-pop’s globalization before BTS and continues to maintain its legacy, EXO’s future carries both symbolic and commercial weight. Both SM and INB100 have exchanged statements, revealing a tense but ongoing effort to resolve their conflict.
On October 29, INB100 stated, “The CBX members have always promised fans that they would return as part of EXO and have made every effort to make it happen,” adding that they “plan to reach a final agreement for full-group activities as soon as possible.”
SM, however, offered a different stance. The company responded, “We made it clear that the settlement of legal disputes and participation in group activities are separate issues,” adding, “Our only request to the three was the 10% payment of their individual activity earnings as stated in the June 18, 2023 agreement — a payment that has yet to be fulfilled.”
Rebuilding Trust — The Key to a Complete Comeback
The following day, CBX countered with a new statement emphasizing that they have no intention of avoiding paymentand plan to honor it once the current legal procedures conclude. “All negotiations were conducted under the premise of EXO’s complete group activities,” INB100 explained. “EXO CBX members made clear their intent to fulfill the agreement, maintain communication with the members, and continue efforts to participate as part of the team.”
Regarding SM’s claim that EXO CBX members “filed an objection on October 16 after stating acceptance of all terms,” INB100 clarified that the objection was a procedural formality. “CBX informed SM of its willingness to pay 10% around the second mediation hearing and waited for a final response. However, the court’s suggested amount was an arbitrary estimate unrelated to either side’s agreement, so both parties filed objections on October 16 — a routine step, not a withdrawal of intent.”
At this stage, the next move lies with SM. With CBX having already declared their intent to rejoin, the decision on whether a full EXO comeback can happen ultimately depends on SM’s stance. The company has maintained that “mutual trust has been deeply damaged due to numerous disputes” and that “a sincere effort toward trust restoration must precede participation in group activities.”
From a practical standpoint, SM’s logic holds. Years of legal conflict have inevitably eroded trust. But since EXO CBX members has already expressed their willingness to comply with the agreement “after legal closure,” that first condition may soon be resolved. What remains is the restoration of mutual faith — the emotional bridge that must be rebuilt before a full reunion can happen.
Between ‘Fragmented’ and ‘Complete’ — Fans Wait for EXO’s Next Chapter
Interestingly, SM’s announcement included Lay, who has not participated in EXO’s activities since 2016 and has long been regarded as a former member through his independent company. His inclusion in the year-end plans signals a symbolic gesture — perhaps a nod to reclaiming EXO’s original glory.
Fan reactions, however, remain divided. Some support EXO’s activities without CBX, while others insist that a “EXO REUNION” can only exist with them. This divide, though, highlights one truth: the members, not the company, are the ones who can ultimately mend the rift.
SM and CBX’s legal battle is not a conflict between members. Fans can criticize agencies while still standing by the artists — and that’s precisely what’s happening here. The fandom’s gaze is fixed not on legal paperwork but on the possibility of unity.
Reports have suggested that one member expressed strong opposition to CBX’s return, allegedly saying, “There can never be a full EXO that includes CBX.” Such internal friction, if true, only underscores the delicate state of the group’s future.
It’s been years since all EXO members were photographed together. If that moment were to happen again — one new picture capturing them side by side — the temperature of their comeback would instantly shift. The difference between a “fragmented” and a “complete” EXO is not just semantics; it defines the impact and emotional resonance of their return.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the members. Reconciliation can’t be forced through contracts or statements. The final decision — and the hope for a truly complete EXO — rests in their hands.
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