Times SM Entertainment and its artists engaged in legal disputes

Karen Noronha

 June 04, 2023

EXO members

Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen filed to terminate their contracts with SM Entertainment 

EXO members

The artists' lawyers said the reason behind this lawsuit was contractual and wage-related disputes

JYJ (TVXQ)

In July 2009, 3 out of 5 TVXQ members applied to the Seoul Central District Court

TVXQ

Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, and Kim Junsu felt 13-year period of their contracts was excessive

Han Geng

Only 5-months later, the sole Chinese member of Super Junior, followed suit

Han Geng

His reasons also included unfair wage distribution and a thirteen-year-long contract

Kris Wu

In May 2014, the former Chinese-Canadian member of EXO, filed for contract termination

Kris Wu

He said, "The company has treated me like a machine, part or as an object of control"

Jessica Jung

In 2014, the Girls' Generation member said she had been forced to leave the group "for no justifiable reason"

Jessica Jung

She and SM reached an agreement in August 2015, and her contract with the company was terminated

Luhan

He is another Chinese member of EXO who followed Kris Wu's steps and filed to dissolve his contract

Luhan

The singer claimed he faced discrimination as they favoured the Korean subunit EXO-K more

No Min Woo

The drummer of EDM trio named TRAX, decided to leave the band only two years into his career

No Min Woo

In 2015, filed a lawsuit for making him sign an unlawful seventeen-year contract

Tao (Huang Zitao)

In 2015, the singer filed a lawsuit becoming the third Chinese member of EXO

Tao

His lawsuit was about unfair contract, discrimination, and unfair compensation