Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
After about a week of EXO-CBX and SM Entertainment trading barbs over their contract, things got quiet as EXO‘s comeback approached. During that time the two sides apparently hammered out an agreement, and EXO-CBX have decided to remain with SME after ‘resolving their differences caused by misunderstandings’, according to a joint statement.
Recently, the agency and the agency’s artists continued to publicly raise issues with our different stances. Regarding this, the agency and the three artists sincerely apologize for causing concern to the many people who support EXO.
Afterwards, the agency and three artists had ample time in which we candidly discussed all the issues. Through this, we resolved the differences caused by misunderstandings, and we are pleased to inform you that we have reached a mutually amicable agreement. Our organized statement is as follows.
As for the details and reasons, they’re being intentionally vague about what exactly has or will change, perhaps because neither side wants it out there.
First, the agency and the three artists will acknowledge and maintain the contract relationship while carrying out EXO’s scheduled activities more actively and continuously through the process of discussion and correction of certain parts.
The agency listened attentively and understood all the thoughts of the three artists, and the agency also conveyed our position regarding this in detail. The three artists also opened up their hearts, and they understood our stance regarding artist contracts. Therefore, the agency and the three artists will carry out a process of mutually equal discussion as well as corrections, and we promised to strengthen our future relationship further. Furthermore, the agency will support the three artists so that each artist can carry out promotional activities in new ways while fully showcasing each artist’s individuality.
Furthermore, the third party interference allegation was a big story as well, involving BPM Entertainment and MC Mong, but SME has said that part was a misunderstanding.
Secondly, we would like to tell you that there was a misunderstanding about the intervention of a third party.
The agency initially received a tip-off that a third party was approaching the three artists with unjust intention, and we stated that this was the main cause of the dispute. However, through this discussion, we learned that there was a misunderstanding about the involvement of a third party. We would like to take this opportunity to apologize to those involved for causing concern with our announcement.
The agency and three artists would like to express our apologies to the fans as well as the EXO members besides the three artists and those who trusted and waited for EXO, and we will do our best to repay the support of many people who stood by us.
PR conclusion and all that.
Lastly, through this incident, we were able to think about the personal concerns of artists as well as the direction of our agency’s growth following the launch of SM 3.0. Thanks to fans’ support, we would like to plan the future of SM 3.0 that is more developed and mature. Under the changed and developed new values of SM 3.0, we will further strengthen and solidify mutual cooperation and respect with our artists.
Perhaps we’ll eventually get details, but for now it’s obviously difficult to suss out whether EXO-CBX actually got anything for staying or if they just capitulated after overplaying their legal hand (or a combination of the two), and certainly SME seems like they overplayed their hand and want to avoid a lawsuit for the wild allegations they made against another company.
Regardless, I understand the choice. This isn’t Blockberry Creative, and perhaps they saw the road forward being years of legal battles and blacklists even if they did eventually win. Fans are well within their rights to be skeptical about the result, honestly. Regardless, anything that perpetuates the status quo with regards to artists against companies has to be seen as a company win, and even if they had to make concessions, SME are probably pleased with the outcome.
