K-netizens react to EXO's ChenBaekXi losing sixth round in legal battle against SM Entertainment

EXO sub-unit ChenBaekXi (Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin) has lost six consecutive legal and administrative disputes against SM Entertainment, according to official court and government records.

Courts, police, and regulatory agencies — including the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) — all found no evidence of illegal or deceptive conduct by SM, rejecting ChenBaekXi’s attempts to invalidate their exclusive contract.

The conflict began in June 2023, when the trio accused SM of unfair contract terms. Both sides later signed the “6·18 Agreement,” allowing EXO group activities to remain under SM while ChenBaekXi’s solo and unit work proceeded through their own label, INB100, with SM entitled to 10% of their personal earnings.

After the members failed to pay SM’s 10% share, SM sued for contract enforcement in June 2024, while ChenBaekXi counter-sued, alleging misrepresentation — a claim dismissed for lack of evidence. Their subsequent attempts to compel document disclosure and file complaints with MCST and KFTC were also denied.

With every ruling upheld through the Supreme Court, ChenBaekXi now faces a decisive legal defeat, effectively ending their current legal challenge against SM Entertainment.

With the latest update, Korean netizens have been buzzing over this topic on various online platforms. These online users are sharing their two cents in popular online communities and commenting:

"Can't believe EXO ended up like this."

"I just don’t understand why they did that."

"They're out..."

"Just declare them out of EXO already."

"They're so shameless."

"Please let them go and never work with those guys again."

"Oh, good, good. This should’ve happened long ago."

"They could’ve just not renewed the contract. Why renew and then sue?"

"Let’s never see them again."

"Why are they trying to leave EXO? It’s such a great group."

"They’ve got plenty of money — go live your own lives."

"They’re so shameless and spiteful. Fans were basically their hostages. I never want to see them as EXO again."

"It was fun while it lasted — let’s never meet again."

"I have no idea what they were thinking."

"I get Baekhyun, maybe got greedy because he’s popular, but Chen’s married, right? SM treats veterans really well, almost like civil servants — why’d he leave?"

"Honestly, even without those three, or Lay — EXO can function fine. Vocals and dance are all solid."

"Wow, SM really does have good welfare — everyone has multiple solo albums, damn."

"It's the end for them now."

"They shouldn't be referred to as EXO anymore."

"We should prevent these three from using EXO songs too."

"They officially lost at this point."