K-pop legal feuds highlight power of contracts as NewJeans, EXO members lose disputes

As K-pop's global influence continues to grow, disputes over exclusive contracts between idols and their management agencies are once again shaking the industry at home. Recent court rulings against EXO members Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin, collectively known as CBX, and girl group NewJeans have reignited the debate over how Korea's star-making system governs artists' careers and their rights. EXO-CBX vs. SM Tensions between SM Entertainment and the three EXO members have recently deepened, with both sides issuing conflicting statements. The latest flare-up began when SM announced plans for a full-group EXO comeback in December that excluded the trio, which had launched individual activities under their new agency, INB100. The dispute dates back to June 2023, just five months after the three renewed their group contracts with SM. They informed the agency that they intended to terminate the deals, citing a lack of transparency in profit settlements. SM denied the allegations. While speculation also arose that a third party had tried to lure the members away from SM, the conflict was eventuallWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times