Tao, it looks like, is not returning to active EXO duty anytime soon. He has been removed from the official Facebook page created for EXO-M members. Tao has not been actively participating with the group since April, and this latest move is hinting at his possible departure from EXO. 

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There is, however, no official confirmation from SM Entertainment that Tao has quit the Chinese-Korean idol group. But there are enough signs that suggest that his return to the EXO fold is highly unlikely. Last month, Tao established his one-man studio in his home country, China, to take care of his solo activities there. He has been signing solo endorsement deals, including for a Chinese mobile game and popular snack brand. He recently posted photos of himself on Chinese social media platform Weibo. In the photos, he is seen recording solo in his newly established studio.

In May, SM Management released a statement saying that "negotiations are going on" without confirming or denying Tao's exit from EXO. Later, the management agency included him in the new promotional merchandize, paper toys, which made fans hopeful that the lead rapper of EXO-M plans to stay with the group.   

When the news surfaced about Tao setting up a one-man studio, Korea Boo quoted SM Management as saying on June 12, "Currently, we are still discussing the direction of Tao's career. We are also currently discussing his Chinese activities with him and his dad. We hope to discover more possibilities for Tao's career through these discussions."

SM Management created EXO, originally consisting of 12 members, and divided it into two subgroups of six members each, EXO-K (Korean) and EXO-M (Mandarin). The latter consisted of four Chinese members and two Koreans. The official Facebook page of EXO-M now consists of only three active members, Lay, Chen and Xiumin.  Lay is currently the only active Chinese member of the group. The leader of the group Kris and another Chinese member Luhan quit EXO last year and filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment, seeking termination of their contracts.    

EXO released their repackage album, "Love Me Right," on June 3. Tao did not participate in the recording of the four new songs and was also not included in the activities to promote it. 

TagsEXO, Tao, EXO-M, Tao Quits EXO, Tao's departure from EXO, SM Entertainment