EXO's Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin Move to Terminate Contracts with INB100, Demand Unpaid Settlements

Three core members of the global K-pop powerhouse EXO—Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin—have taken a decisive legal step, formally notifying their agency, INB100, of their intent to terminate exclusive contracts. The move, reported by media outlet THE FACT, signals a major rupture within the management structure of one of the industry's most successful acts. The artists' notification, sent in late March to INB100 CEO Cha Ga Won, is not merely a declaration of departure; it is coupled with a formal request for clarification regarding significant unpaid settlements, pointing to a deeper financial dispute at the heart of the split.

The action by Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin follows their high-profile departure from SM Entertainment in 2023 to establish INB100, an agency they co-founded with CEO Cha Ga Won. This latest development transforms what was seen as an artist-led venture into a site of serious contractual and financial conflict. The demand for unpaid settlements suggests potential breakdowns in revenue distribution and accounting transparency, core issues that have plagued the K-pop industry. The involvement of legal notices indicates the dispute has escalated beyond private negotiation, moving into a formal, adversarial phase.

The termination notice places immense pressure on the fledgling INB100, threatening its operational foundation and casting uncertainty over the future activities of the three artists. For the broader K-pop ecosystem, this is a high-stakes test case for artist-owned agencies, scrutinizing their ability to manage business and fiduciary responsibilities. The outcome will be closely watched, as it could influence contract negotiations and artist empowerment movements across the industry, demonstrating that the challenges of legacy agencies can replicate within new, artist-centric structures.