Things have gone from bad to worse for SM Entertainment, the management team and record company of K-Pop super group EXO. The Seoul based talent coordinators are bracing for another round of departures from EXO. Following the long and drawn out departure of Tao just recently, SM was no doubt hoping that it would stop hemorrhaging members from its most successful group. First, it was Kris and Luhan, Tao followed. and if rumors are to be believed, Chen and Lay want out as well.
For once, though, it is not the reason you think. Reportedly, Chen seeks his own identity and doesn't just want to be known solely as a member of EXO. From MovieNewsGuide.com comes this quote from Chen, "I have always wanted to be judged on my vocals as Chen the singer, rather than as a member of EXO." Chen hasn't, however, came out with an official statement about his situation so everything remains speculative at the moment. If he were to leave, he would become the first Korean born to depart the band, Kris, Luhan and Tao being Chinese.
Lay is the last of the Chinese born members of EXO and that makes him uncomfortable. It is, reportedly, why he is looking to jump ship. It doesn't, however, mean that Lay is retiring. This from a different MovieNewsGuide article, "On the other hand, when it comes to Lay's individual projects, it seems like he will be having a very hectic schedules than before as he is set to act alongside with Jackie Chan and Jackie Shroff in an Indian-Chinese film titled Kung Fu Yoga."
At this point, neither side has made any official statements of any kind. So, in both cases, it might be just speculation at this point. One thing is for sure. SM Entertainment is stinging from its battles with Tao, Kris and Luhan and wants no part of another controversy. EXO has survived the earlier ones. Why tempt Providence at this point?
