Is it career suicide for Kris and Luhan to leave SM Entertainment? Sources say Kris remains unsigned with a Chinese agency five months after leaving EXO

By Staff Writer

Oct 27 2014, 14:20 PM EDT

Leaving SM Entertainment might have been the end of former EXO member Kris' career. This is after Korean websites report the Chinese idol still unable to find a Chinese star agency to represent him. Fellow EXO member Luhan might be met with the same fate after filing a similar lawsuit against SM Entertainment.

According to K-pop Herald, it's been five months since Kris has left for China after having his contract with SM Entertainment nullified. Citing Korean tabloid Sports DongA, Kris has met with Yuehua and Huai Brothers, two of China's biggest star management companies. However, Kris has not been signed with either one yet, as apparently "Chinese firms would not be willing to risk their ties with the Korean entertainment industry, as they have made many investments and also business collaborations."

This news comes after Korea Herald reported that Kris is ready to sign a contract with Hwai Brothers. According to the article, Hwai Brothers is also currently managing a former member of "Super Junior," Hangeng. Hangeng filed for a lawsuit for his "unfair" contract against SM Entertainment in 2009, while Kris filed his own lawsuit in May 15, 2014 for "exploitation and unfair treatment by the agency."

Kris' reason for filing the lawsuit was apparently because of being treated "like a machine."

Kris is not the last of EXO members to file for a lawsuit to get out of their contract with SM Entertainment. Just recently, another member, Luhan, has been reported wanting out. According to Straits Times, SM Entertainment confirmed the lawsuit, which had been filed five months after Kris'.

Kris contacted Hankyul Law Group, which was also allegedly the same law firm Luhan contacted for his lawsuit. Like Kris, despite being unsigned, Luhan has apparently started in the Chinese industry.

Before news of Luhan's lawsuit broke, Straits Times say that people already had a clue. "Speculation had already spread that Luhan would follow Kris out the door because he has been calling in sick and was absent from recent concerts," the article mentioned.