Last August, Huang Zitao known as EXO's Tao left the popular Korean boy group for good. Now he's pursuing a solo career but things are not that easy and Tao's still in a heated legal feud with his previous agency, SM Entertainment.
Only recently, the first hearing between the former EXO member and SM Entertainment took place at Seoul Central District Court on October 23. Tao entrusted his legal welfare to the same lawyers who helped former EXO members Luhan and Kris Wu against the Korean entertainment agency.
According to Kpop Starz, the 22-year-old's legal representatives slammed SM Entertainment's unfair contract. The lawyers stated that Tao's exclusive contract with the agency should be invalidated by the court due to stringent clauses.
The legal team argued in detail that the contract's length and inappropriate profit distribution are grounds to terminate the contract. Furthermore they added that Tao suffered from the agency's purported discrimination against EXO's Chinese members.
"If the trust in the confidence of the exclusive contract and its holder is broken, the contract can be terminated. Moreover, holding onto artists through contract length is an infringement on the rights of individuals and limits their freedom." Tao's legal representative stated as noted by All Kpop.
SM also counter sued the singer claiming that Tao is already working as a solo artist despite his contract still in effect. And recently, current SM CEO Kim Young Min has personally addressed this issue in a Korean-Chinese Music Forum.
As reported by Classicalite, Kim Young Min stated that the former EXO Chinese members, Tao, Luhan and Kris are disrespectful not only to the institution that helped them build their names but also towards their fans. He further claimed that the three were solely focused on their financial gains and disregarded everything else.
"Using the weaknesses in the legal systems of Korea and China, they could pursue their personal, economic, short-term gains. They only followed their 'selves,' without any communication with the fans who have been with them from the beginning and with the music market. This can all be seen as their personal matters." Kim Young Min stated.
SM Entertainment and Tao's side will appear for another hearing on December 4.
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