'Erasing Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin?' Fans call out SM Entertainment over EXO Kai's show 'Jeongwaja'
Just days ago, former SM Entertainment CEO Lee Soo-man made headlines with the release of his own documentary, which grabbed attention for all the wrong reasons. Now, the agency—one of the Big 4 (alongside HYBE, JYPE, and YG Entertainment)—is back in the news, facing backlash from fans and netizens.
They're back in the news because many believe the agency is deliberately erasing EXO-CBX members—Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin—from recent content. The controversy began after EXO Kai's show Jeongwaja aired online, where viewers noticed the CBX members were not mentioned.
Erasing EXO-CBX?
Kai was seen interacting with a guest who didn't recognize him. While he was shocked by this, he tried to jog the person's memory and started mentioning names of EXO members.
For those who may not know, the group consists of nine members: Xiumin, Suho, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun.
However, D.O. ended his contract with SM Entertainment to pursue different career paths. Meanwhile, Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin launched their own label to manage their solo careers due to contract issues. Despite this, they are all still very much part of the group.
Fans furious
EXO's fandom, EXO-Ls, were quick to notice that the CBX members were never mentioned during the interaction and the omission raised eyebrows. Some fans pointed out visible cuts in the clip, sparking speculation that Kai might have said their names but those parts were intentionally edited out. However, others weren't entirely sure if he mentioned them at all.
One said, "No, but whispering a few names in a row really doesn't require that many cuts. Like, what else could they be saying in between if not… oh! Just naming three people literally everyone knows? The cuts are so obvious."
no but whispering a few names in a row really doesn't require that many cuts like what else could they be saying in between if not… oh! just naming three people literally everyone knows??? the cuts are so obvious https://t.co/elvkZpmse3
Another added, "This is the result of letting SM get away with everything. Now SM is normalizing the CBX erasure in every context. What makes you think they'll still let them participate in future group comebacks, lol?"
this is the result of letting sm get away with everything. now sm is normalizing the cbx erasure in every context. what makes you think that sm will still let them participate in the future group comebacks lol https://t.co/dgbWcxLH4c
One more fan wrote, "Blocking the members from talking about EXO-CBX and deleting the scenes from videos if they do is extremely evil and shameless behavior."
Blocking the members from talking about EXO-CBX and deleting the scenes from videos if the members talk about them is extremely EVIL & SHAMELESS behavior 🤮🤮YOU CAN NOT ERASE CBX's EXISTENCE IN EXO.@SMTOWNGLOBAL COME OUT YOU COWARD AND EXPLAIN YOURSELF #EXO #CBX_IS_EXO… pic.twitter.com/l1Sczs2km9
SM Entertainment blacklisting it's former artists?
This incident comes amid growing accusations that SM Entertainment may also be blacklisting their former artists ahead of upcoming comebacks. Baekhyun is set to release new music in May, as is former SM artist Jaejoong.
However, many noted that neither appeared on the promotional comeback roaster shared by 1theK, a major K-pop media channel known for covering high-profile releases.
The allegations have drawn parallels to past instances, such as Jaejoong's widely discussed "blacklisting" after he parted ways with SM Entertainment following a legal dispute. Many believe SM has a history of strained relationships with artists who exit the company, particularly those who pursue legal action or raise concerns publicly.
no jaejoong or baek like okay nobody gaf then https://t.co/wWM8xobLw6
While SM Entertainment has yet to comment on the current situation, the perceived exclusion of CBX from Kai's show has added fuel to long-standing concerns if EXO is disbanding and also about the company's treatment of their former idols.
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
03-06-2025
- Pink Villa
EXO's Baekhyun, ENHYPEN and Stray Kids members get name-dropped in ex-girlfriend controversy, find out what happened
Trigger Warning: This article contains sensitive content, including discussions of blackmail, s*xual violence, and harassment. Reader discretion is advised! Reportedly, a male idol was blackmailed by his ex-girlfriend over an explicit video recorded during their past relationship. Although the court has not revealed the identity of the victim, online speculation has since targeted some of the biggest names in K-pop. They include EXO's Baekhyun and members of ENHYPEN and Stray Kids. The incident came to light following the sentencing handed down by the 12th Criminal Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court. The accused, referred to as 'A,' received one year in prison and two years of probation for her actions. The charges included blackmail, destruction of property, and violating the Special Act on the Punishment of S*xual Crimes. Threats involving military and idol career The court revealed that A and the male idol were in a relationship for about 16 months, from November 2020 to March 2022. After their breakup, A resorted to blackmail by threatening to leak a private s*x tape they had filmed during their time together. She used the idol's celebrity status to intimidate him. In one of her threats, she told him to 'stop being an idol,' indicating that all he had left was 'the military.' The first blackmail attempt happened in December 2021. A created a fake social media account using his image and sent the link to him. On December 31, they argued in public, and A damaged his phone. More threats followed on January 4, 2022, with A sending hostile messages. She said she would post their private videos and tag him unless he responded. Her actions were seen as deliberate attempts to ruin his reputation and hinder his future in entertainment. Court's final ruling and considerations The court condemned the ex-girlfriend's actions, stating her threats were aimed at sabotaging the idol's future by misusing their private history. This causes significant harm due to his celebrity status. While recognizing the gravity of the case, the court considered her admission of guilt, remorse, and settlement with the victim. As A didn't distribute the footage and deleted it voluntarily, and being a first-time offender, she avoided public disclosure and s*x offender registration. In addition to her prison term and probation, she was ordered to complete 40 hours of s*xual violence education. She is also banned from working with minors and disabled individuals for four years. Idol's identity sparks frenzied speculation While the court has chosen not to identify the male idol involved to protect his privacy, rumors have exploded online. Netizens speculate that the individual may be a member of EXO, ENHYPEN, or Stray Kids. Some pointed fingers at EXO's Baekhyun. Others brought up unnamed members from the two younger groups, based solely on the provided age and timeline. However, as of now, no agency has issued a formal response to the speculations. The victim's identity remains officially undisclosed, and there is no confirmed evidence linking any specific idol to the case. Fans urge caution As gossip continues to spread, some fans have voiced concern over the unfounded accusations circulating online. Many are calling for greater responsibility within fan communities. They warn that false speculation can cause irreversible harm to innocent artists and their careers.
Pink Villa
29-05-2025
- Pink Villa
EXO's D.O. gets spotted in blonde hair while dining with Kim Woo Bin in Japan, fans call him 'Greek god'
EXO's D.O. sported a blonde hair look for the first time since his debut in the entertainment industry. Fans went into a frenzy as the pictures and videos from his latest sighting got viral on May 28. He was seen enjoying his free time having a nice meal in Japan with acquaintances, including Kim Woo Bin. His new look drew a lot of attention and his hanging out with the actor sparked curiosity as to whether some joint project was on the horizon. Doh Kyung Soo aka D.O. caught fans off guard with a surprise appearance in Japan sporting a fresh new look. While hair color changes are a common trend among K-pop idols, it was particularly surprising in D.O.'s case due to his signature understated style. Throughout his career with EXO and in various acting projects, D.O. has been known for embracing a more natural aesthetic. He never got tattoos or piercings and rarely dyed his hair, let alone experimenting with bold colours. Fans were quick to shower their idol with praise for his new blonde look, speculating about the inspiration behind the transformation. With his upcoming drama The Manipulated set to premiere in the second half of 2025, some fans are wondering if this new image is a deliberate choice to promote the project. Regardless of the reason, D.O.'s fans are clearly loving the change and eagerly anticipating what's to come. They praised his visuals, with one calling him a "Greek god". D.O. is also gearing up for a solo musical comeback, with fans expecting the release around July. It's possible that his new blonde look is connected to a music video shoot for this project. Another possible reason for the artist's bleached hair and his dinner date with Kim Woo Bin might be their upcoming project together– tvN's reality TV series Green Bean, Red Bean. The production team has indeed started filming for a new season, adding fuel to the rumour. No matter what the reason for his sudden change in appearance might be, we are loving a blonde Doh Kyung Soo, aren't we?
Pink Villa
27-05-2025
- Pink Villa
Problematic Men: Will BTS' RM feature alongside EXO's Suho as show returns after 5 years?
RM was part of the cast of Problematic Men from the show's premiere in February 2015 until July 16, 2015. He had to leave the show midway due to his schedule clashes with his K-pop group activities. The fun show last aired in 2020 and fans are delighted with the announcement of its comeback in 2025. The news was shared by K-media outlet My Daily. With the new edition of the show being mathematics-based, speculations are abuzz regarding RM's potential return as a cast. Possibility of RM joining Problematic Men With RM 's military discharge on June 10, fans are buzzing about potential projects he might take on. Problematic Men, a show that could leverage the BTS leader's high IQ, might just get a surprise boost with his involvement. Given the new edition's maths-based theme, the K-pop star's participation would mark an interesting addition to the series. If confirmed, this would be his first project post-discharge, generating considerable excitement among fans. The timing fits perfectly, with the show's new season set to drop on June 23, just a few days after RM's discharge. The artist is known for his high IQ, and a maths-based show might be perfect for him. Moreover, his existing rapport with the original cast only adds to the hype. They adored him and kept in touch with RM, even years after his departure from the show. Notably, they mentioned RM even in the last season's broadcast. They even reunited for a gala evening at Jun Hyun Moo's house last year. About Problematic Men's upcoming season The new edition of the brain game show will include Jun Hyun Moo, EXO's Suho, Jung Seung Je, Bae Sung Jae, John Park and Kim Gyu Min as cast members. Notably, Suho's role as a problematic student has earned significant attention as he is known for his dislike for maths. He previously shared with fans that he had given up on the subject and the appearance of someone like that in a maths-based show seemed interesting. He, along with Jun Hyun Moo were also part of the 2015 edition of Problematic Men. Their return in the latest season got fans beyond excited.
