Court Approves Contract Suspension for EXO CBX
EXO CBX members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin have won a major legal battle in South Korea as a court accepted their injunction to suspend their exclusive contract with agency INB100. The Seoul Central District Court ruled on September 15 that the exclusive contracts will remain suspended until the first-trial ruling on their lawsuit to confirm the non-existence of the contracts is reached.
Agency Breached Trust and Failed to Pay Earnings
The court pointed out that INB100 was obligated to pay settlement funds whenever entertainment revenue was generated by EXO CBX, but failed to do so. The judiciary stated that the fundamental trust forming the basis of the contract has been broken, making it difficult to maintain a normal exclusive relationship. Furthermore, prolonged litigation would severely restrict the members’ independent entertainment activities and infringe upon their constitutional freedoms, such as the freedom to choose their occupation.
Background of the Dispute with INB100
Previously, EXO CBX notified the agency of contract termination due to unpaid signing bonuses and settlements. When INB100 did not respond, the members filed a lawsuit last month. INB100 was originally established by Baekhyun in June 2023 and later incorporated into Cha Ga-won’s One Hundred label. According to Yonhap News, CEO Cha was arrested and indicted on fraud charges involving tens of billions of KRW, with her first trial scheduled for next month. INB100 reportedly remained unresponsive throughout the injunction proceedings.
