EXO-M member Luhan filed a lawsuit Friday in Korea citing an invalid contract against management company SM Entertainment, Yonhap reported.
According to Seoul Central District Court, law firm Hankyul, the same firm used by former EXO-M member Kris, filed the lawsuit.
Luhan, one of the group’s Chinese members, debuted with the band in April 2012.
(Update) “Friend, goodbye. When there’s a chance, let’s perform together! As a brother, I will support your decision. Best wishes,” EXO-M member Lay posted on his Weibo, TVReport reported.
(Update 2) SM Entertainment released a statement Friday in Korea following news of Luhan’s lawsuit.
“We received Luhan’s lawsuit through the law firm. He had expressed his desire to focus on Chinese activities instead of those of EXO due to health issues, and we were in the process of discussing future plans with him, so this lawsuit came as a surprise,” SM Entertainment said, Daily Sports reported.
“Like Kris’ case, it was not a situation in which he had a reason to file a lawsuit, but that he filed a lawsuit through the same firm and through the same method means that, after gaining a lot of popularity through group activities, he ignored all persons related to his contract and put forth his own personal profit first and started the lawsuit,” the company stated.
“We also know that he has been influenced by people on the other side. We plan to calmly proceed with our expert partners in China and other foreign countries in regards to this case,” it said.
After an initial report about EXO-M’s Luhan filing a lawsuit against SM Entertainment, Sina has followed up with a report revealing the reasons Luhan has filed termination for his contract with SM Entertainment.
Earlier today, we broke news that EXO-M’s Luhan would be filing for a contract termination lawsuit against SM Entertainment. Since then, it was revealed Luhan would be using the same lawyer as Hangeng and Kris, who also filed lawsuit against SM Entertainment.
More updates quickly came in, with SM Entertainment’s stock plummeting with the news, and fellow member Lay left a heartfelt message for Luhan on his Weibo.
Sina has now revealed a report with 4 reasons as to why Luhan has filed termination against his agency, SM Entertainment. The reasons are as follows:
1. SM Entertainment is not able to give good future development plans for Luhan.
2. There is a discrimination in terms of treatment between Korean and Chinese members
3. The allocations of resources are not reasonable.
4. Experiencing health issues due to over-exhaustion in both body and in stress.
While the specific details in Luhan’s case are unique, in general, the lawsuit and reasons are very similar to Hangeng and fellow EXO-M member, Kris (Wu Yifan).
Luhan has been long reported to not be feeling well due to fatigue, having symptoms of waking up in the middle of the night, an uncomfortable feeling in his chest and persistent headaches. There were also serious times when he experienced difficulty in breathing.
While previously filming for the Chinese movie “Back to 20” and also performing at EXO’s concerts, Luhan had to work through many nights and was flying back and forth constantly.
Due to long term lack of sleep, stress, and irregular meal hours, Luhan’s body could not take it anymore. Luhan left a personal apology on September 11th to his fans, through his Weibo for not attending EXO’s concert in Thailand. While pushing himself endlessly, he was able to attend the last 2 nights of EXO’s finale stop in Beijing.
According to reports, SM Entertainment coordinates schedules for artists without consulting with them for their opinion, or considering their personal situations. Instead, the company notifies the artists after the schedules have been placed. When Luhan requested for a leave, the company would reject the request and respond that activities have already been set and that he must follow the schedule.
Luhan also reportedly expressed concern that while the group has gained popularity throughout the years since their debut, there is no solid plan laid for their progress and growth. The artist is reported to have revealed, “It is a working environment where it feels like [we are] robots in a factory.”
While Luhan has received requests for acting and advertising opportunities, none of them lead to successful negotiations. Between 2012 - 2013, EXO-K had over 5 endorsement projects, but EXO-M did not nearly have the same.
In terms of individual opportunities in Korea, there is an obvious discrimination towards the different nationalities. It is also highlightable that when EXO promotes on shows, the Korean members get a significantly longer screen time than their Chinese counterparts.
A/N : WHY?! WHY?! WHY ARE YOU BREAKING OUR HEARTS ONE AFTER ANOTHER?! OH MY GOD :'( IT HURTS! IT FREAKING HURTS!!! HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO CRY AGAIN?! I RATHER THE OLDER DAYS WHERE EXO WAS HAPPY AND FINE BUT LOOK AT NOW :'( I just want the boys back, to be healthy and happy :'( Exo means 12 talented members but now it's different. I sincerely wish all the best for the boys. I know they are not able to hear our hearts or even knew about our existence but that's what we have to go through when we came into this kpop world, but I still want to support them forever cuz at least they know how much we love them. I still cannot believe that this is happening. Exo L's are suffering a huge blow this year :'( But no matter what EXO 사랑해 #WEAREONE #EXO OT12 FOREVER IN MY HEART
鹿含和吴亦凡还有EXO的成员,EXO L会永远支持你们的, WE ARE ONE ! :')
