[Exclusive]EXO, EXO-CBX to Return to Court in November… Exclusive Contract Lawsuit Begins

*This content was translated by AI.

The court has scheduled the main trial of the exclusive contract lawsuit filed by Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, who have been active as the EXO (EXO) unit EXO-CBX, against their agency INB100 to begin in November.

Civil Division 24 (Collegiate Panel B) of the Seoul Central District Court is set to hold the first hearing on the lawsuit seeking a declaration of non-existence of the exclusive contract filed by Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin against INB100 on November 4.

Previously, in March, they notified INB100 of their termination of the exclusive contract, citing reasons such as the agency's failure to pay the contract fee and settlement amounts. After the agency did not comply, EXO-CBX filed an application for a preliminary injunction suspending the effect of the exclusive contract, along with a lawsuit seeking a declaration that the exclusive contract is void, on August 18.

At the time, INB100's side did not appear at the preliminary injunction hearing and failed to submit written materials, resulting in the conclusion of the hearing as-is. In response, EXO-CBX's side stated regarding INB100 CEO Cha Ga-won that "he has been detained and has been unreachable since the preliminary injunction application."

Subsequently, Civil Collegiate Division 50 (Presiding Judge Lee Sang-hoon) of the Seoul Central District Court granted EXO-CBX's application for a preliminary injunction suspending the effect of the exclusive contract against INB100. Consequently, the exclusive contract between EXO-CBX and INB100 will remain suspended until the first-instance judgment in the main case seeking a declaration that the exclusive contract is void.

The court also ordered that INB100 may not enter into contracts with third parties such as broadcasters against the will of EXO-CBX, nor demand that they perform their entertainment activities, and prohibited any actions that would hinder EXO-CBX's independent entertainment activities.

The court pointed out, "When revenue from EXO-CBX's entertainment activities was generated, INB100 had an obligation to pay settlement amounts in accordance with the contract, but has not paid them to date." It added, "The mutual relationship of trust has been broken due to INB100's fault. The fundamental relationship of trust that serves as the basis of the contract has collapsed, making it difficult to maintain a normal exclusive relationship any longer."

It further stated, "If the main judgment regarding the effect of the contract is prolonged, EXO-CBX's independent entertainment activities will be significantly restricted for the remaining contract period," adding, "Beyond the simple economic aspects of the contractual relationship, there are concerns that it could seriously infringe upon constitutional fundamental rights such as EXO-CBX's freedom of occupational choice and freedom of activity."

INB100 is a company established by Baekhyun in June 2023, which was incorporated into the One Hundred Label label founded by CEO Cha Ga-won the following May.

Currently, CEO Cha Ga-won was indicted in August on charges of fraud involving 30 billion won and is awaiting his first trial on the 13th. CEO Cha Ga-won is suspected of proposing a business utilizing the intellectual property (IP) of entertainers under his management company to Knowmerce Inc., signing a contract, and receiving a large advance payment without actually carrying out the business.

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*This content was translated by AI.