The renowned lead vocalist of EXO, Do Kyung Soo (D.O), is leaving SM Entertainment. Not only that, but EXO D.O has also decided to create a new chapter of his solo career with his new agency, SooSoo. With members eventually leaving SM Entertainment, what lies ahead for EXO? And what will happen to the Kpop group? Delve into the story of EXO’s D.O and his journey after departing from SM in the report below.
EXO D.O Joins New Agency After Leaving SM Entertainment
Prominent 3rd generation Kpop group EXO has another of its members leaving the parent company, SM Entertainment. EXO’s proud lead vocalist, Do Kyung Soo (D.O) has confirmed to establish his new independent agency after leaving SM.
On October 18, Korean media outlet Dispatch reported that EXO D.O had created his own new path in his new agency. The EXO lead vocalist and talented singer-actor had joined a new entertainment agency named “SooSoo”.
Founded by his longtime manager, a former management director of SM Entertainment, Nam Kyung Soo, SooSoo entertainment agency vowed to fully support EXO D.O and his future solo activities.
Responding to the report, SM Entertainment released an official statement. According to SM, EXO D.O would be leaving and joining a new agency that focuses on his solo activities. However, as one of the EXO members, he would still be joining all the activities of the Kpop group with SM Entertainment.
“The exclusive contract of D.O. is set to end in early November.
After detailed conversations, we’ve agreed that D.O will maintain his activities with EXO under SM. However, for his acting and solo ventures, he will be collaborating with the new agency set up by him and SM’s former manager.”
SM Entertainment.
SM Entertainment Denies Members Sehun and Chanyeol Leaving
Along with D.O new agency reports, rumors began circulating that EXO members Sehun and Chanyeol would be leaving SM Entertainment as well.
Previously, SBS News’ exclusive report stated on October 17 that the two EXO members had been signing contracts with a new agency founded by entertainment producer Jeong Hoon Tak. He is the former CEO of the entertainment agency iHQ and an advisor to the Korea Entertainment Management Association. According to the rumors, EXO Sehun and Chanyeol would join the new company to pursue more diverse solo activities outside the group.
However, when these reports started circulating online, SM Entertainment immediately released a rebuttal. The company stated that EXO Sehun and Chanyeol had renewed their contracts with SM at the end of last year, and the contracts remain valid today.
Still, SM Entertainment also revealed that the company has been giving approval of EXO members founding their own agencies to support their solo activities on the condition that it must still align with all requirements set by SM Entertainment.
“Chanyeol and Sehun did not sign with a new agency. The agreements that the two EXO members finalized with SM Entertainment last year are still in effect, and all EXO-related activities will remain with our agency.
Nevertheless, when it comes to the members’ solo projects, we’ve granted them the flexibility to proceed through their own founded companies, provided it aligns with the existing exclusive contracts with SM.”
SM Entertainment.
The Future of EXO
Finally, with more members leaving SM Entertainment, what will happen to Kpop group EXO?
Previously, EXO members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin had a long and challenging battle with SM Entertainment. Although they may have resolved the conflicts, it seems that some residues still remained, especially with EXO member Baekhyun after the bribery accusations. The company even stated that they had no knowledge of Baekhyun establishing a new agency.
“While the unexpected news takes us aback, we have faith that Baekhyun will uphold his commitments in our joint agreement.”
SM Entertainment.
Nevertheless, SM has previously expressed its intention to grant EXO members more autonomy in their solo activities. This includes allowing EXO members to join new agencies provided they stay with EXO and actively promote with the group.
EXO Will Stay Together
Additionally, SM Entertainment clearly stated that D.O was still a part of EXO. The new agency would only be focusing on his individual activities as a soloist and South Korea’s best idol actor. But along with his individual activities, D.O would still continue his EXO group activities with SM.
Therefore, fans do not need to worry, as the future of EXO is still intact.
SM Entertainment may not be an expert at handling their artists’ acting careers. EXO D.O has been incredibly famous for his exceptional acting skills. Yet even after over a decade of debut as an actor, his filmography remains unsatisfactory. Similar cases previously happened to Girls Generation members: YoonA, Sooyoung, and Seohyun.
Still, the company has an incredible record of successfully keeping its largest groups intact. And the proof remains solid with Girls’ Generations and Super Junior. Both groups are still actively promoting even after many of its members left SM. Therefore, suffice to say that EXO will stay together for many years to come.
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