What will happen to EXO-CBX after losing the lawsuit against SM Entertainment? Will they effectively leave EXO?

EXO's subunit EXO-CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin) has suffered a complete defeat in its legal battle with SM Entertainment (hereafter SM Entertainment). Furthermore, EXO has confirmed a comeback with six members, incorporating Lay alongside the three original members.

　On the 28th, according to The Legal News, the lawsuit filed by EXO-CBX against their former agency SM Entertainment, alleging failure to provide settlement documents and unfair contract terms, was dismissed in its entirety. The case concluded with a ruling of no grounds for suspicion, resulting in defeat for EXO-CBX.

　In June 2023, EXO-CBX contested their long-term contract as unfair and demanded termination of their exclusive agreement with SM Entertainment. At that time, both parties agreed that EXO's group activities would remain under SM Entertainment, while individual and unit activities would be conducted under EXO-CBX's personal label, INB100. EXO-CBX agreed to pay SM Entertainment 10% of the revenue from their individual activities.

However, EXO-CBX failed to fulfil this payment obligation. At a press conference in June 2024, they claimed that SM Entertainment had breached the agreement's precondition – guaranteeing a 5.5% distribution fee rate for albums and music sources – and demanded the 10% share of individual activity revenue. Consequently, they filed a complaint and indictment against SM Entertainment executives, including CEO Taek Jong-hyun, on suspicion of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (fraud). However, the prosecution decided not to indict them, citing insufficient evidence. EXO-CBX appealed again, but this was also rejected.

　Furthermore, EXO-CBX claimed they had not received sufficient settlement documents covering the past 13 years and applied to the Seoul Eastern District Court for an order to produce the documents. This application was also dismissed. The Seoul High Court reportedly stated in its ruling that "they are maintaining this case application to psychologically pressure SM Entertainment". The scope was subsequently expanded to include the Fair Trade Commission and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, but the claims of the three members were not accepted, and the case was closed without any charges being brought.

Meanwhile, EXO, whose members have all completed their military service, will hold a fan meeting titled 'EXO'verse' over two days on 13th and 14th December this year at the Inspire Arena in Jung-gu, Incheon. Subsequently, SM Entertainment officially announced the release of their 8th full album in the first quarter of 2026, revealing that SUHO, CHANYEOL, D.O., KAI, SEHUN, and LAY will participate in both this fan meeting and the new album. This implies that CHEN, BAEKHYUN, and XIUMIN's activities as members of EXO have concluded.

　Currently, INB100, the agency representing EXO-CBX, has not issued a special statement. Attention is focused on where this dispute will ultimately lead.