CHINA TOPIX

03/29/2024 10:57:37 am

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Former EXO Members Tao, Luhan, and Kris Treated 'Unfairly' Due to Ethnicity, Chinese Stars Get Mixed Reactions from Fans on Social Media

South Korean pop groups EXO-K and EXO-M, consisting of members from China and South Korea

(Photo : REUTERS/Bobby Yip ) South Korean pop groups EXO-K and EXO-M, consisting of members from China and South Korea, attend a news conference before the 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), in Hong Kong November 30, 2012.

Former EXO members Luhan, Kris, and Tao have one thing in common - all three are Chinese. Could this have been the reason why they were allegedly treated unfairly by the Korean agency, SM Entertainment? As for their fans, some have mixed reactions regarding the contract nullification cases filed against them.

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According to numerous reports and statements made by Luhan and Kris, they were given "unfair" treatment due to the reason of them being Chinese. While Korean members of the show received countless promotional activities, the Chinese members were reportedly thrust to the background, continued the reports.

Adding to the reports is Kris's' lawsuit against SM Entertainment. As per reports, the strongly-stated lawsuit claims not only of unfair treatment, but of SM Entertainment "hindering the career growth" of its Chinese members.

"From July 2013, Kris worked while taking medication and in January of 2014 was diagnosed with myocarditis in China. Still, SM did not look after Kris' heath. In addition to this, the unfair income distribution and lack of room for Kris to develop and grow as an artist caused him to lose confidence in SM Entertainment's management," read the lawsuit filed by Kris against SM Entertainment.

Kris's' sentiments reflect that of Luhan, in his own lawsuit filed against the Korean agency.

"SM treated EXO-K, filled with Korean members, differently from how they treated the EXO-M members with Chinese members. From the beginning of our debut, EXO-K received support from SM and actively did promotions, but EXO-M had no promotions, received no financial backing, and endured a difficult time," read Luhan's lawsuit against his former agency, SM Entertainment.

Despite all three continuously being hounded by their former Korean agency, Luhan, Kris, and Tao have forged on with their solo career plans. Tao and Luhan have both prepared for their mini concerts in China. As per the reactions from fans on social media, some are expressing support over the former EXO member's' actions, while some are clearly expressing their dismay.

As for EXO, which is missing three of its Chinese members, the boy group from Korea has been facing backlash from its fans as well. Recently, the boys held their concert in China where one of their members had been hit by a flying water bottle. Korean fans immediately went on defense and criticized Chinese fans for their behavior.

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