EXO's Chenbaekxi Wins Contract Suspension Injunction Against INB100

K-Pop group EXO's unit Chenbaekxi (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin) is currently in a high-profile legal dispute with their agency INB100. The core reason for the buzz is the Seoul Central District Court's decision to grant an injunction suspending their exclusive contract, citing a fundamental breakdown of trust due to the agency's failure to pay settlement funds.

The injunction, issued on September 15, temporarily halts the contract's validity until the main lawsuit's first ruling. The court found INB100 responsible for not paying settlement funds on time and considered the potential infringement on the artists' constitutional right to choose their profession. INB100, originally founded by Baekhyun in June 2023, later became part of One Hundred Label in 2024. The court's decision prevents INB100 from entering third-party contracts against Chenbaekxi's will or obstructing their independent activities.

Local bloggers emphasize that while this is a significant temporary victory allowing Chenbaekxi to pursue independent activities, it is an interim measure and not a final termination of the contract. They highlight that the court's focus on "occupational freedom" for artists is a crucial aspect of the ruling, underscoring the unique structure of entertainment contracts where agencies invest in artists for long-term returns.